Oh, and if you are in the school system and finding yourself bored or lacking challenge...

Here are some book recommendations. Most libraries should be able to get them for you:

• How to Read a Book - or look up "active reading"
• A peoples history of the united states - for those that think they don't like history

The following have some concepts/discussions that are likely unsuitable for younger teenagers, but are eye opening books on history

• Bury my heart at wounded knee - what happened to the american indians?
• The Chalice and the Blade - old history around the time the christian religions were formed

I hated history in school... and used to think that I hated history. Then I read an old leather bound book on US history written at an English university decades ago and found that I actually really enjoy history but that what they teach in our schools is so watered down as to be ridiculous.

You might also consider joining a debate team, a local meetup, etc. and occasionally spending an hour or two observing a local court in session.