In which country does the Sabha River flow? What states does the Cumberland Gap border? What is the name of the strait, bordered by Greenland and Iceland, which connects the Arctic and Atlantic oceans?
By Sarah Varney
In which country does the Sabha River flow? What states does the Cumberland Gap border? What is the name of the strait, bordered by Greenland and Iceland, which connects the Arctic and Atlantic oceans?
Stumped? These were just a few of the geography facts fifth-grade contestants had to know cold in the Midland School Geo Bee Championship January 16.
The Midland Championship started off with eight nervous boys walking onstage. One contestant sported a T-shirt emblazoned with “Watch Me Win”, which didn’t do the trick. Regardless, as fifth-grade teacher/moderator Cathy Landy said to all the contestants: “Give all of yourselves a pat on the back because this is not an easy test.”
An impressive seven contestants knew that the Mississippi River, 2,300 miles long, empties into the Gulf of Mexico. Not surprisingly, several contestants were stumped by the name of the country through which the Sabha runs. (The answer is Ethiopia.) And the name of the strait connecting the Arctic and Atlantic? (Google it; we had to.)
After four rounds of written and oral questions, Prescott Tuneski came out on top. When asked, “What country administers the islands of Bermuda?” he quickly and correctly answered: “The United Kingdom.”
The next hurdle that Tuneski must clear is a written exam. If he passes that test, he will qualify for the state finals.
Elementary and middle school students from across the country compete in the Geo Bee, which was started 25 years ago and is sponsored by the National Geographic Society and National Geographic Magazine.
The State Bee is set for April 5 and the National Bee is May 22. And yes, there is even a World Bee.
