MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- The art of making porcelain was first perfected by the people of which ancient civilization? Questions like these were directed toward students at Matthew Perry Elementary School during the annual geography bee Jan. 9.
Geoffrey Fogle, a fifth-grade student, won the school-level competition of the National Geographic Bee and a chance at a $25,000 college scholarship.
The school-level bee, at which students answered oral questions on geography, was the first round in the 16th annual competition. The bee was sponsored by the National Geographic Society and International Nederlanden Group Americas, one of the world's largest integrated financial services companies.
Locally, Amy Jecheva, Matthew Perry Elementary School's gifted education teacher, organized the competition. "This program was started here to encourage enthusiasm and interest in learning about the world," she said. "It encourages students to explore countries and cultures beyond what they may currently know."
The kickoff for this year's bee was the week of Nov. 17, with thousands of schools around the United States and in the five U.S. territories participating. The Matthew Perry Elementary School winners, including Geoffrey, will now take a written test. Up to 100 of the top scorers in each state will be eligible to compete in their state bee April 2.
Here on the Station, other grades were invited to watch the competition in order inspire further interest. "The fact that all of the classes were invited to watch caused a lot of excitement," said Jecheva. "Next year, I hope to hold a geography club after school so that even more interested students can be studying year-round."
The National Geographic Society will provide an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington D.C. for state champions and teacher-escorts to participate in the national championship on May 25 and 26. The first-place national winner will receive a $25,000 college scholarship and a lifetime membership in the Society.
"Each of the finalists should be proud because they represented their class as the person who knows the most about geography," said Jecheva. "They inspire other students and are an example to them."
Anyone can brush up on geography with the GeoBee Challenge, an online geography quiz at www.nationalgeographic.com/geobee, which poses five new questions a day from previous bees.