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    How Schools Register

    Deadline Is December 9

    More »

Each year thousands of schools in the United States participate in the National Geographic Bee using materials prepared by the National Geographic Society. The contest is designed to encourage teachers to include geography in their classrooms, spark student interest in the subject, and increase public awareness about geography. Schools with students in grades four through eight are eligible for this entertaining and challenging test of geographic knowledge.

CLICK HERE FOR INFORMATION ABOUT REGISTERING


Deadline for registration ($90): October 15, 2011

Late registration ends ($110): December 9, 2011

School Bees: November 14, 2011-January 13, 2012

Qualifying Test received by: January 31, 2012

State Bees: March 30, 2012

National Bee: May 22-24, 2012



CLICK HERE TO SEE IF YOUR SCHOOL IS REGISTERED


2011 National Geographic Bee

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    Russia Wins Geographic Championship

    For the first time, a team of Russian students won the National Geographic World Championship, which is hosted by Jeopardy! host Alex Trebek. Video.

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    National Geographic's Lady of the Bee

    For its entire history—22 years—Mary Lee has overseen the National Geographic Bee. Her determined goal each year is to ensure a fair, fun, and inspiring experience for the geographic students.

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    See 2011 State Winners' Videos

    See each student in their hometown with these videos on YouTube.

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    Only One Champion

    Each year students travel from across the United States to Washington, D.C. to compete in the ultimate test of geographic knowledge: the National Geographic Bee.

Teachers and Parents

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    How Schools Register

    Principals of schools in the U.S. with any of the grades four through eight are eligible to register their schools to receive contest materials for a school-level Bee.

  • Photo: The 2009 National Geographic Bee finals in Washington, DC

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Wondering how to register for the Bee or how to prepare? Our "Frequently Asked Questions" have the answers!

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    Study Corner

    What's the best way for students to prepare for the Bee? Here are some tips from the National Geographic Bee.

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    Sample Questions

    Answer sample questions from the National Geographic Bee, and get ideas on how to look for clues within the questions that can help you figure out the right answers.

Quizzes to Go

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    Now on Your Favorite Mobile Device!

    Do you have what it takes to be the next National Geographic Bee Champion? Find out the fun way with the new GeoBee Challenge! Three types of game play make sure you really know your stuff and never get bored.

Support the Bee

Google Earth Presents

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    We Love Geography

    Meet people who use geography every day, as students around the country prepare for the National Geographic Bee.

Download Google Earth »

Student Activities

Teachers can use these activities in the classroom to prepare students for the bee!

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    Geo-Scavenger Hunt

    Simply memorizing terms and place locations can be tedious and even boring. One solution is to make the task fun with an atlas-based scavenger game.

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    Exploring Diffusion

    The movement of people, goods, or ideas from one place to another is a process known as diffusion, which plays an important role in shaping the characteristics of where we live.

  • Photo: Infared satellite image of hurricane Rita

    Tracking Violent Storms

    Springtime brings the possibility of extreme weather, including violent thunder-storms and tornadoes.

See More from the Study Corner »