-Students from W.T.
Woodson, Fauquier, Sandy Spring Friends meet today on "Its Academic."
♪♪ ♪♪ -And now the host of "It's Academic," Hillary Howard.
[ Applause ] -Hello, everybody.
Welcome to "It's Academic," produced by Altman Productions in association with David M. Rubenstein Productions.
-Support for "It's Academic" has been provided by the following... Mitre, a not-for-profit research and development company working in the public interest.
-The world is full of challenges, and at Mitre, we're committed to solving them.
From aviation and health to cyber and national security, our people know we are called to do more.
♪♪ Mitre, solving problems for a safer world.
♪♪ [ Cheers and applause ] -Let's kick this game off with a Fast Start.
All questions are worth ten points up or down.
First teams to buzz in or team to buzz in, gets to answer the question.
The students do not see what you do on the screens at home.
This category is all about architects and architecture.
Let's go.
Marcus Agrippa is credited with building this Roman temple for -- Sandy Spring Friends?
Answer in... -Parthenon.
-Yep, that's it.
She designed the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
Sandy Spring?
-Pei.
-No, Maya Lin.
Kenzo Tange planned this current capital of Nigeria.
Sandy Spring?
-Abuja.
-Correct.
Ismail Efendi designed the beautiful dome of this tomb in Agra.
Sandy Spring?
-The Taj Mahal.
-Taj Mahal is right.
George Bergstrom designed this five-sided headquarters of the Defense Department.
Woodson?
-Pentagon.
-Pentagon's right.
Buildings by Buckminster Fuller feature this type of dome he invented.
Sandy Spring?
Answer in 3... -Fuller dome.
-Nope.
Geodesic dome.
African-American architect Julian Abele designed much of this Durham, North Carolina university.
Sandy Spring?
Answer.
-Duke.
-Yes.
Sir Christopher Wren worked for 35 years... Woodson?
-London.
-Saint Paul's is what we were looking for.
And that is it for the Fast Start round.
And now we're up for Mix and Match.
But before we do the first question, let's meet team one from W.T.
Woodson High School in Fairfax, Virginia.
Hey, Stephen, good to see you again.
-Good to be back.
-Tell us what you've been up to.
-Um, more running since we've been -- We just wrapped up the indoor season and now are moving on to outdoor.
In fact, we actually have a couple teams racing at Nationals this weekend.
-Oh, that's fabulous.
-Thank you.
-How many miles do you figure you've run this year?
-Oh, I mean, this week alone I ran 40, so probably close to 150 already.
-Pretty impressive.
Hello, Samik.
Good to see you.
-Nice to see you again.
Yeah, I've been running with Stephen.
And I've also been preparing for "It's Academic" and just Quizbowl in general.
-Well, it's great to have you back here for this semifinal match, our first of the season, by the way.
Hello, Stephen.
-Hello.
-Tell us what you've been up to.
-I've still been a part of my school orchestra.
And we're now preparing for our assessment concert in a few days.
-Wonderful.
Well, it's great to see you.
And here is your first question.
"An aqua sari."
See if you can find hidden here what type of space object that emits huge amounts of energy from remote parts of the universe.
-Quasar.
-Quasar.
-Quasar it is.
Go to sleep, examine your life, run for safety.
Something that is soporific causes you to do which of these?
Answer.
-Go to sleep.
-Go to sleep.
Tungsten, helium, nitrogen -- Combine the chemical symbols for these three elements and you'll spell what word that begins the Declaration of Independence.
Answer.
-When.
-When, yeah.
"The Great Gatsby," "Great Expectations," "The Great Stone Face" -- England's largest literary society is named for Charles Dickens who wrote which of these great stories?
-"Great Expectations."
-Yeah.
"I will die in the last ditch."
This pledge to defend England to the bitter end was made by what King, who was crowned with his wife, Mary, in 1689.
-William.
-William is right.
Nice job, W.T.
Woodson.
Yay!
[ Applause ] Now we get to meet the team from Fauquier High School in Warrenton, Virginia.
Raeid, It's good to see you again.
Tell us what's up.
-Good to see as well, Hillary.
-Thank you.
What have you been up to?
-So I've actually, interestingly, I'm actually running for office in Fauquier County.
-Really?
-On the Board of Supervisors.
Yes.
-That's fabulous.
And your campaign has already begun?
-Yep.
-Alright.
Good luck with that.
We can't wait to see what happens.
Hi, Evan.
-Hi.
How are you?
Yeah.
-I'm well, thank you.
Tell us what you've you've been doing.
-Yeah, well, we wrapped up a great season for Scholastic Bowl, and now I'm moving into spring track, and then I'm also looking forward to graduation, so.
-Yeah, I bet.
Right?
I remember those days.
Hiya, Keira.
-Hi, Hillary.
How are you doing?
-I am well, thank you.
But tell us about you.
-I'm pretty good.
I'm spending a lot of time, like, filling out, like, scholarship applications, all that stuff, so I've been pretty busy, but...
I'm pretty good.
-Well, that's wonderful.
And I hope those scholarships come through.
-Fingers crossed, right?
-Yeah.
Here is your first question.
"Calico Ma wanted."
Your ma would want you to earn 20 points by finding in this phrase what term for the cloud of gasses and dust that surround the nucleus of a comet?
Answer.
-A light coma.
-Coma is it.
A young pig, A salary, a rare book -- If I were to give you a stipend, I'd be giving you which of these?
-Salary.
-Yes.
Carbon, aluminum, fluorine -- Please combine the chemical symbols for these three elements to get what Golden idol the Israelites built in Moses's absence.
-Calf.
-Yes.
The Bridge of San Luis Rey, The Bridges of Toko-ri, The Bridge Over the River Kwai -- Which of these bridges was the focus of a story by Thornton Wilder?
-Bridge of San Luis Rey?
-Yes.
"England hath long been mad."
This sentence from Shakespeare's Richard the third refers to a 15th century conflict fought between the houses of York and Lancaster And named for what flower?
-War of the Roses.
-War of the Roses is right.
Nice job Fauquier.
[ Applause ] And now to the students from Sandy Spring Friends in Sandy Spring, Maryland.
Calvin, what have you been up to?
-Hi, my name is Calvin.
I'm a 18-year-old senior at Sandy Spring.
I play violin.
And I just wanted to give a big thank you to the team at "Its Academic" and you, Hillary, for making all of this possible for us today.
-Well, we couldn't do it without you, so thank you.
Hiya, Clara.
-Hi.
My name is Clara.
And I'm a 17-year-old senior at Sandy Spring.
We've been having a great year so far.
And I just want to extend a huge thank you to everyone at Sandy Spring.
All of our teachers and administrators who've supported us, especially our incredible coach, Eduardo Pallone and new this year, our history teacher Mark Ellers, for coming to play against us, practice, and always giving us great competition to help us prepare.
-Nice.
Rachel, what do you have to add?
-Hi, my name is Rachel.
I'm an 18-year-old senior at Sandy Spring Friends School.
I've been playing on the softball team and I just wanted to thank the amazing team that we practiced -- that we practice with, especially our amazing alternates, Diego and Cameron.
-And can you introduce us to your mascot, guys?
-We named him Oscar like Oscar Wilde, like wildebeest.
-[ Chuckles ] Okay, here we go.
"If I lament it."
You won't be sad if you can find here what fine wire used in an incandescent light bulb.
-Filament.
-Yes.
Scimitar, accolade, marmoset -- Which of these words names a type of curved Middle Eastern sword.
-The first one.
-Yeah, scimitar.
Boron, radium, dysprosium -- Combine the chemical symbols for these elements to spell the last name of what American noted for his Civil War photographs.
-Brady.
-Brady.
-Yeah, the amazing Mathew Brady.
Baseball, badminton, croquet -- When Alice was in Wonderland, she was forced to use a flamingo to play which of these sports?
-Croquet.
-Yeah, croquet.
I don't know why I said croquet.
I must be hungry.
[ Chuckles ] "One of America's greatest heroes " -- This was the way one commentator referred to what American general who had headed our Pacific forces during World War II but was later dismissed during the Korean War?
-MacArthur.
-MacArthur is right.
Nice job, Sandy Spring Friends.
And that is it for the Mix and Match round.
Picture Perfect is up next.
♪♪ -I'm David Rubenstein.
From the Kennedy Center and the National Archives to the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument, I've been pleased to support many important organizations and historic sites linked to American history, art, culture, education and more.
I believe giving back to our country isn't just an idea, it's an action, a patriotic action that involves all of us, and it begins with education and learning about our nation's past so that we, the people, can make a more perfect union for the future.
We can do it together.
Please read, learn, get involved, and make a difference.
♪♪ [ Applause ] -It's time for the Picture Perfect round.
But first, let's check these scores.
W.T.
Woodson, 200 points.
Fauquier, 180 points.
Sandy Spring Friends, 220 points.
[ Applause ] Now in this Picture Perfect round, the first team to buzz in gets to answer.
Questions are worth 20 points up or down, so be careful, guys.
And here we go.
This is part of the constellation named Pavo, the Latin term for what colorful bird associated with the goddess Juno?
Sandy Spring?
-Peacock.
-Peacock.
-Peacock, yes.
Choice.
Red sunsets like this reflect the fact that... Woodson?
-Refraction.
-No, longer.
The author of "Tam O'Shanter" and "Auld Lang Syne," this is?
-Woodson?
-Burns.
-Yes.
Solve for X. Sandy Spring Friends?
Answer.
-X equals two.
-Yes.
This lake shares its name with what ship, site of an 1839 slave uprising whose leaders were defended in court by John Quincy Adams?
Woodson?
-Harpers Ferry.
-Pardon?
No.
The Amistad is what we're looking for.
"He thinks too much.
Such men are..." Woodson?
-Cicero.
-Cassius, close.
In her biography of Edith Wilson, Rebecca Roberts notes that she was the first First Lady to be a houseguest at what London Palace, then the official... Sandy Spring?
-Windsor.
-Buckingham Palace.
And that is the Picture Perfect round.
Now it is half time.
Let's stop for a minute and get to meet the coaches and administrators who have worked so hard to get these teams ready for competition, which we always appreciate.
It is a team.
We begin with W.T.
Woodson, and Samik, who's with you?
-Behind me is our wonderful coach, Mr. Wright, who also teaches AP Government, and AP World History.
-Wonderful.
It's great to see you again.
Thanks for being here.
Thanks.
And from Fauquier, Evan, who's behind you?
-Behind me is my wonderful coach, Dr. Croft.
She teaches Biology, Anatomy, Physiology, and AP Research.
And we just love her so much.
-That's nice.
A nice affirmation there.
[ Chuckles ] And from Sandy Spring Friends, Clara, who's with you?
-We're super grateful to be joined by our coach, Eduardo Pallone.
He also serves as a Spanish teacher and the chair of our Global Languages department.
And we're really grateful, he's the one who started and has nurtured this program and all of us, and he's just been a great friend and mentor for the past 4 years.
-We're grateful for that as well.
Thank you so much for being here.
Good to see all of you.
And now, of course, I get to ask some questions in this Packet round.
The Packet round is awesome because here's what happens -- First of all, questions are worth 20 points.
Nothing off for a wrong answer.
If you get all the questions right, there's a... -All: Bonus.
-There's a bonus.
It's a 25-point bonus.
Now W.T.
Woodson gets to answer questions first.
Fauquier gets to choose which packet they'll answer questions from.
-Number three.
-Number three.
Woodson.
James Thurber once wrote a story about a country where no one was allowed to use what vowel, the fourth vowel in the alphabet?
-"O."
-Yeah.
-The Pope resides in the worlds' largest inhabited palace in the worlds' smallest sovereign state, both of which share what name?
-Vatican.
-Yeah.
-The largest slave revolt ever carried out on US land occurred in what territory purchased from France in 1803?
-Louisiana.
-Louisiana it is.
Here's your science question.
Torricelli, Huygens, Mendel -- Which of these men is identified with the Wave Theory of Light?
-Porcelli?
-No, it's Huygens.
Environmentalists were horrified to find a plastic shopping bag near the bottom of what trench, the deepest in the Pacific Ocean?
-Mariana.
-Yes, that's right.
One non-speaking role in Hamlet Is that of what court jester whose skull is the only part of him that appears?
And the answer?
-It's Polonius.
-Yorick.
Give either factor of this expression.
-9.
-X plus 9.
-Wait.
Oh.
-Yeah.
And finally, a question from our special guest.
This is Senate Majority Leader, Chuck Schumer.
-Up until age 75, voting is compulsory for citizens of what South American country whose capital is Asunción?
-Paraguay.
-Yep.
You've got it.
Nice job, Woodson.
A score of 260 points.
Good job.
[ Applause ] Alright, Fauquier, you are up.
Sandy Spring Friends, one or two?
-We'll give them two.
-Give them two.
Okay, here we go, Fauquier.
The ancient Greeks believed that the four elements that formed the basis of all things were earth, fire, air and what other substance that covers 70% of the planet?
-Water.
-Water.
What Republican president, reelected by a large majority in 1972, was nonetheless forced to resign before the completion of his second term?
-Nixon.
-Richard Milhous Nixon.
-Correct.
Ascorbic acid was first chemically isolated in 1928, not from oranges or limes, but from what small, sour, yellow citrus fruit?
-Lemons.
Lemons.
-Yeah.
Here's your science question.
Hydrochloric acid, nitric acid, phosphoric acid -- Which of these is a binary acid?
-Hydrochloric?
-Yes.
Hydrochloric acid it is.
Governments have instituted all kinds of taxes over the years, but the 24th Amendment prohibits what kind of tax?
-Poll taxes.
-Yeah.
The cabin that Henry David Thoreau built at Walden Pond was on land that belonged to what fellow philosopher, author of the essay "Self-Reliance"?
-Ralph Waldo Emerson.
-You've got it.
Here's your math question.
Evaluate this expression, giving your answer as a positive integer.
-Ten.
-Yes.
Now, your special question from our guest, Senator Tim Kaine from Virginia.
-The largest city in the world, located entirely below sea level is Baku, the capital of what country?
-Azerbaijan.
-[ Chuckles ] Very nicely done.
25-point bonus for Fauquier.
Give it up.
[ Applause ] Alright, Sandy Spring, packet number one.
Kill Devil Hills and not what more famous spot was the site of the Wright Brothers' first flight?
-Kitty Hawk.
-Kitty Hawk.
-Yeah.
In "King of the Wind" by Marguerite Henry, The title character is what same sort of animal as "Black Beauty" in Anna Sewell's novel?
-A Horse.
-A horse.
-Correct.
There was no eBay around when the fictional Foust sold what part of himself to the devil?
-Soul.
-His soul.
-Yes.
Here's your science question.
Synapse, syncline, syzygy -- Which of these terms refers to a junction between two nerve cells or between a nerve cell and a muscle?
-Synapse.
-Yeah.
In 1878, a question as to whether a popular detective story could have been written by a woman sparked an angry debate among legislators in what Pennsylvania capital?
-Harrisburg.
-Harrisburg.
-You've got it.
17th century America is the setting for "A Mercy," A book by what Nobel Prize winning woman whose earlier works include "The Bluest Eye"?
-Okay.
-Morrison.
-Morrison is right.
Here's your math question.
Solve for "X" in this expression.
Answer.
-"X" equals 500.
-Yeah.
Did you say "X" plus 500?
-"X" equals 500.
-Yes.
"X" equals.
Thank you very much for that clarification.
Here is your special guest questioner.
It is Senator Ben Cardin from Maryland.
-Maryland, state capital of Annapolis, has several sister cities, including Tallinn, the capital of what European country?
-Estonia.
-Estonia is right.
We have another 25-point bonus.
-Way to go, Sandy Spring Friends with a score of 405 points.
-That's it for the very exciting Packet round.
We have an even more exciting Grab Bag round up next.
♪♪ -Hello, I'm David Rubenstein.
Did you know that the term "get fired" comes from the medieval practice of burning down the homes of unpopular neighbors?
In another explanation, it comes from the practice of John Patterson, the head of the National Cash Register Company, who got rid of employees by setting fire to their desks.
Either way, it was bad news.
I'm David Rubenstein, reminding you to read, learn, get involved, and make a difference.
♪♪ -It's time for the Grab Bag.
But first, let's check the scores and see where the teams stand.
Woodson, 260 points.
Fauquier, 365 points.
Sandy Spring Friends, 425 points.
[ Applause ] Alright, how about you guys add to those scores in this Grab Bag round where questions are worth 20 points up or down.
So here we go.
A union plan to surround and crush the Confederacy was named for?
-Fauquier?
-Anacada plan.
Anaconda plan.
-Anaconda, yes.
The Navy's first steam-powered warship shared its name with what New Jersey university that's part of the Ivys?
-Sandy Spring?
-Princeton.
-Yes.
After sending no delegates to the Constitutional convention in 1787 which... Woodson?
-Rhode Island.
-Yes, Rhode Island.
On your screens.
Pointing to a chart of letters, this is what Cherokee Indian who created a written language for his tribe?
The answer is Sequoia.
What British major who provided the treasonous Benedict Arnold with major help, ended up on the gallows in 17-- Sandy Spring?
Answer.
-Brown.
-Nope, John Andre.
Someone planning to climb Mount Everest might think twice after reading what John Krakauer book about -- Sandy Spring?
-"Into Thin Air."
-Yeah.
Choice.
An element found in proteins but not in starches is carbon, nitrogen -- -Sandy Spring?
-Nitrogen.
-Yes.
On your screens, guys.
"All religions say the most injurious things about the Devil, But we never hear his side."
This irreverent comment was made by what, 19th -- Fauquier?
-Mark Twain.
-Mark Twain is right.
China became a republic on January 1st, 1912 following... [ Buzzer sounds ] That is the end of the game.
Now we're going to wait for the judges to tally these scores, so stick around.
In the meantime, here's one of our students.
-I'm David Rubenstein.
And I believe giving back is something we all can do.
Students are getting involved in their communities in many important ways.
I've asked them to share with us how they're making a difference.
-Hi, my name is Fiona Xu, and I'm an 11th grade student at Basis Independent McLean.
Community service has always been a huge part of my life, especially since when I was younger, my mom would take me to community service events such as Wreaths Across America.
So when the opportunity came to teach at a local Chinese school I've been attending classes at since I was young, I immediately said, "Yes."
I thought it was a great opportunity because I love helping others, I love giving back, and, also, I just love interacting with the kids.
People my age say that -- Would usually say that working with younger kids is rather annoying, but I think it's both a blessing and a challenge.
I love hearing all the ideas and questions that they bring up, and the energy that they bring to the room is really refreshing.
-Like these students, you, too, can help improve the lives of so many people by volunteering in your town and community.
Please read, learn, get involved, and make a difference.
[ Applause ] -We are back and the judges have gone through these scores.
We've got them.
So let's see where they stand.
W.T.
Woodson from Fairfax, Virginia, Stephen, Samik, and Stephen, 280 points.
[ Applause ] From Fauquier High School in Warrenton, Virginia, Raeid, Evan and Keira, 405 points with a 25-point bonus.
Way to go, guys.
[ Applause ] And coming back for the semifinals.
Sandy Spring Friends, from Sandy Spring, Maryland, Calvin, Clara, Rachel, and Oscar the wildebeest, 465 points.
-Nice job.
[ Cheers and applause ] Let's hear it for our incredible teams and you, our incredible viewers.
Really happy you could join us today and match wits with these very impressive students.
-Support for "It's Academic" has been provided by the following... Mitre, a not-for-profit research and development company working in the public interest.
-At Mitre, we're committed to solving some of our biggest challenges in national security, cyber, aviation, and health.
And our dedication to service starts at home.
Working to fight hunger, serving people in need, protecting public health, and supporting our civic institutions.
This is serving the public.
This is Mitre, solving problems for a safer world.
-Please join us again next time when we have Montgomery Blair, Richard Montgomery, and Whitman compete on another "It's Academic" semifinal match.
We promise you it is going to be very, very exciting.
I'm Hillary Howard.
See you then.
Bye bye, everybody.
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