What it is

The National Geography Bee, part of the International Academic Competitions (IAC) flagship trio, allows students to demonstrate their knowledge of geography, including physical landscapes, cultural regions, political boundaries, and spatial reasoning. Open to elementary and middle school students, the competition begins with the Online Regional Qualifying Exam (ORQE), progresses to regional buzzer-based competitions, and culminates in the National Championship event. Questions are read aloud by moderators and often accompanied by visual prompts such as maps, charts, and graphs. The season begins in the fall with the ORQE and concludes with Nationals, typically held over Memorial Day weekend in Orlando, Florida. Preparation opportunities include geography clubs, atlases, practice questions, and coaching. Top-performing students may qualify for the United States Geography Championships, a more rigorous competition that dives deeper into geographic concepts.

National Geography Bee

What We Do

Participation in the National Geography Bee encourages a global perspective, enhances spatial reasoning, and builds a strong academic foundation. It also provides access to more advanced competitions and the opportunity to connect with other geography-minded students across the country.

Coaches and Contact

If you have questions, please reach out to Mr. David Geering, and our PTA volunteer is Ira Jain.