The competition, held at the University of Denver, drew 100 top geography kids from across the state. During the day of the competition, questions become progressively more difficult, beginning with simple questions about state capitals and ending with in-depth questions about the cultural significance of geographic landmarks from across the globe.
The bee is open to students in fourth to eighth grade in 235 schools across the state. The competition started with about 4,000 students and that number was winnowed down through school bees. Each school champion then took an online test at the National Geographic and the top 100 were invited to the state bee.
Henry, a sixth-grader, won the final round by correctly answering: “ known for its prehistoric paintings, is found in the province of Cantabria in the north part of what European Country?”
Henry knew the answer: Spain.
As the state winner, Henry was awarded a scholarship from DU for $7,500 a year for four years in addition to his $100 prize money and atlas. Henry and his family will represent Colorado on May 15 at the National Geographic Bee in Washington, D.C.
If Henry wins the national competition, he will be awarded a $50,000 scholarship and a National Geographic expedition for his family to the Galápagos Islands.
The national competition’s final round will be broadcast on the National Geographic Channel and Nat Geo Wild.
