-Students from Alexandria City... Herndon... and McLean meet today on "It's Academic."

[ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ ♪♪ [ Cheers and applause ] -Hello, everybody.

I'm Hillary Howard.

Welcome to "It's Academic," the world's longest-running TV quiz show 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.

-What happens when the right people connect, diversity challenges convention, mentors inspire greatness, and passions drive innovation?

From health to transportation and national security, cyber and AI to space and back, MITRE connects the power of government, academia, and industry to meet our nation's challenges together.

MITRE connects.

♪♪ -And of course, we begin, as we always do with the Fast Start, where questions are worth 20 points up or down.

First team to buzz in gets to answer.

The students do not see what you do on the screens at home.

Here we go.

All answers will begin with the letter M. That's M, as in Mary.

He was the first Black president of South Africa.

McLean.

-Mandela.

Mandela.

-Yes.

-This biblical leader led the Israelites -- Herndon.

-Moses.

-Moses it is.

Valletta is the capital of this small Mediterranean -- -Malta.

-Yes, McLean.

-"Death of a Salesman" is a play by -- McLean.

-Miller.

-Miller it is.

This Venezuelan lake experiences the most -- -Maracaibo -Maracaibo is right, McLean.

In 1955, Rosa Parks inspired a bus boycott -- -Montgomery.

-Montgomery is right, McLean.

Helena is the capital of this US -- -Montana.

-Montana is right, McLean.

This is a water-filled ditch surrounding a medieval castle -- For McLean.

-Moat.

-Moat is right, and that is the end of our very fast start here on "It's Academic."

Let's recap those scores.

100 points Alexandria City, Herndon 110.

McLean 170.

♪♪ And now, of course, it's time for the Mix & Match round.

And in this round, questions are worth 20 points, nothing off for a wrong answer.

But before we jump into those questions, we get to meet these teams.

And we begin with Alexandria City.

Hiya, Silas, what should we know about you?

-My name is Silas Adkins-Hooke.

I go to Alexandria City High School.

-Anything else?

-I like to play music in my free time.

I love jazz.

-Oh, us too in our house, yeah.

And I love your jacket, by the way.

-Thank you.

-Hello, Violet.

-Hi.

My name is Violet.

I'm a senior at Alexandria City this year.

I play in the band program with Silas as well, and I also do speech and debate.

-Oh, fabulous.

Are you also a jazz fan?

-I am.

-Who do you like?

-Oh, I really like Charlie Parker.

I'm a big fan of Cannonball Adderley as well.

-Oh, nice.

Hello, Abigail.

Tell us about yourself.

-Hi, I'm Abigail Gerstein.

I'm also a 17-year-old senior at Alexandria City High School, and I'm directing the fall play this year.

-What?

-It's called "Everything Happens at Night."

It's an original by one of my friends.

-Oh.

That's fabulous.

We should go see it -- A collective "It's Academic" going to see it.

Alright, here's your first question.

One fine onion.

Chew on this phrase and see if you can find the hidden name of what noble gas often used in advertising displays.

-Neon.

-Neon.

-Neon's right.

Four feet, four stomachs, four horns -- every animal classified as a quadruped has which of these?

-Four feet?

Four feet.

-Four feet.

Yeah.

Five vowels are missing from the name of what French Revolution leader who was responsible for much of the Reign of Terror?

-Robespierre.

-Yeah.

The Great Depression, Reconstruction, the Cold War -- which of these events took place in the 19th century?

-Oh.

Reconstruction.

-Reconstruction.

-Yes.

"A large income is the best recipe for happiness I've ever heard of."

This quote is not from a stockbroker, but what 18th to 19th century woman who wrote "Pride and Prejudice"?

-Jane Austen.

Austen.

-Yes.

And that is it.

Nicely done, Alexandria City.

200 points.

[ Cheers and applause ] Now on to team two -- Herndon High School from Fairfax County.

Hi, Ryan.

What should we know about you?

-I'm Ryan Hammond, I'm a senior at Herndon High School, and I throw shot put for the track and field team.

-Really?

So how far do those things go?

-About 30 to 40 feet, depending.

I throw about 35.

-Oh, so that's pretty good.

Alright, well, it's good to have you.

Hiya, Daniel.

-Hi.

My name is Daniel Wacek.

I'm a senior in high school, and I enjoy cooking.

-Ooh.

What kind of things do you like to cook?

-Anything.

-Anything.

Is there a favorite cuisine?

-Italian.

-Italian?

Yeah.

Go-to.

I'm from New York, so it's always Italian in New York.

Hiya, Matthew.

-Hi, I'm Matthew, I'm a freshman at Herndon High School, and I like to do software.

-Software?

Very good.

Alright, here we go.

See Haiti rise.

You can rise to the challenge here if you find the hidden name of what colorful part of the eye surrounding the pupil.

-Iris.

-Iris is right.

Unaware, ferocious, hospitable -- the word oblivious is usually defined as being which of these?

-Unaware.

-Yeah.

Surround this "hag" with the right letters and you'll name what ancient Greek mathematician whose theorem of triangles is still taught today.

-Pythagoras.

-Yes.

Roald Amundsen, Leif Ericson, John Cabot -- of these three explorers, which one was a Viking?

-Leif Ericson.

-Yes.

"You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you mad."

And you shall know who said this if you can identify what author of "Brave New World."

Answer...is... Aldous Huxley.

Nice job.

Herndon, 190 points.

Way to go.

[ Cheers and applause ] And now on to team three, our returning champions from McLean High School.

Very fast on that buzzer, guys.

[ Chuckles ] Hello, Carter.

It's good to see you.

-[ Clears throat ] Hi, I'm Carter.

I'm a 17-year-old senior at McLean, and I really -- I play trumpet in the jazz band, and I just really enjoy jazz as well.

-Sorry.

I'd love to know who people like.

-I really like Miles Davis.

-Oh, yeah.

Can't beat him.

Hiya, Andrew.

-Hi, I'm Andrew, I'm a senior from McLean High School, and I sing in the choir at school.

-Wonderful.

And the sorts of things you do?

-Uh... -A little bit of this, a little bit of that?

-Yeah.

Pretty much everywhere all around.

-Beautiful.

And hi, Clara.

-Hi, I'm Clara.

I'm a 17-year-old senior at McLean.

I play mellophone in the marching band, and I like to knit.

-And your knitting is...?

Hats?

Scarves?

-Hats and scarves, but also, you know, like stuffed animals.

I made food for my sister.

I do random, random things.

-Oh, that's really nice.

So you make gifts for people?

Very nice.

Here we go.

Is fear gone?

Don't be afraid, and you can find the name of what noble gas that makes up a small percentage of the air we breathe?

-Argon.

-Yeah.

Inoculation, incandescence, inquisition -- which of these words is the best synonym for interrogation?

-Inquisition.

Inquisition.

-Yes.

The postal abbreviation for Louisiana appears here in the name of what sooner state noted for its panhandle.

-Oklahoma.

-Correct.

Martin Frobisher, Ponce de Leon, Myles Standish -- which of these men was searching for the Fountain of Youth when he happened to discover Florida?

-Ponce de Leon?

-Yeah, but he did not find that Fountain of Youth.

He's been gone a long time.

"Don't be agnostic -- be something."

This advice was offered not by a minister, but by what American poet who wrote"Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening"?

-Frost.

-Yes.

Robert Frost.

Nicely done.

McLean, 270 points.

Don't go away.

We have the Picture Perfect round coming at you next.

[ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ -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.

♪♪ [ Cheers and applause ] -Okay, it's time for the Picture Perfect round.

And in this round, as you know, questions are worth 20 points, up or down.

Here we go.

These sand dunes are found in what desert valley that's the lowest geographical point in -- McLean.

-Uh... -Answer.

-Death Valley?

-Yes, it is.

For the first four years of his life, this was the home address of what 19th century German composer who wrote four symphonies and a popular lullaby.

Yes, McLean?

-Brahms?

-Brahms it is.

Painted by Winslow Homer, this palm tree grows near what capital of -- McLean?

-Sure.

Boston.

-No, of the Bahamas.

Nassau.

What is the 3% tax on $120 -- Yes, Herndon?

-3.6.

-You've got it.

Due to the large eyespots on its wings, this butterfly is nicknamed for what colorful bird that was sacred to the goddess Hera?

Yes, Alexandria.

-[ Indistinct ] -No, the peacock.

Used in the manufacture of paint, this is the oxide of one element -- McLean.

-Cadmium?

-Yeah, you are right.

This two-foot-tall mask was created by members of the Ibibio tribe in what African country where Abuja is -- McLean.

-Nigeria.

-Nigeria is right.

And that is the end of the Picture Perfect round.

Let's talk about these scores.

Alexandria City 180.

Herndon 210.

McLean 330.

We're going to meet the coaches now that prepare these teams for competition.

And I think there's like a whole crew for all of you guys here today, which is awesome.

Alexandria City, Violet, tell us who's with you.

-Yeah, we'd like to thank our coach, Mr. Zahn, for teaching us the subtle art of trivia.

We'd also like to thank our principal, Mr. Duncan, for being here with us and administrator, Mr. Roberson, and our families and friends who came out to support, as well as our alternate, Bromwyn Turney.

-Alright.

Herndon, Daniel, tell us.

-Yeah, we have Mr. Lubinsky here with us, as well as Ms.

Spies, who are both World History II teachers.

-Okay.

Very good.

And we're glad to have them.

McLean, tell us about your coaches, Andrew.

-We'd like to thank Mr. Brocketti and Mrs. Benedict for coaching us through all the years, to Dr. Riley, our principal, for coming here to support us to our alternate Edward, and of course, to all the parents who came out to support us today.

[ Applause ] -It is time now that we've met everybody for the Packet round.

And in this round, guys, you know questions are worth 20 points.

The really good news is there's nothing off for a wrong answer, so go ahead and take a chance.

If you get each of these questions right, you know what happens, right?

It's a 25-point bonus, so that's awesome.

There are three packets here -- one, two, three.

Alexandria City will answer questions from one of them first, Herndon gets to choose which of the packets they'll answer questions from.

-Let's take three.

-Three.

Alexandria, seven billion years ago, an entity 147 times more massive than the sun was created by the collision of two of what kind of phenomena so dense not even light can escape its gravitational pull?

-Black hole.

-Black hole is correct.

In his last written statement, John Brown predicted the crimes of this guilty land will never be purged away but with what life-sustaining fluid containing hemoglobin?

-Blood.

-Blood it is.

Here's your science question.

Nuclear fission, nuclear fusion, combustion -- the radiant energy we receive from the sun is believed to result chiefly from which of these?

-Nuclear fusion.

-Yeah.

You got it.

Explorer Zebulon Pike was piqued when he was arrested and jailed in what future capital city of New Mexico?

[ Indistinct whispering ] -Albuquerque?

-No.

Santa Fe.

One of the first American authors to make a living from his writing was what man who received $2,000 for his book, "The Call of the Wild"?

[ Indistinct whispering ] Answer.

-Wilds?

-No.

Jack London.

Here's your math question.

I heard you talking.

You were halfway there.

What is the value of this expression, giving your answer as an integer?

-Nine.

-Nine is right.

One of the earliest uses of the term "special prosecutor" involved the prosecution of Charles Guiteau, who had assassinated what president in 1881?

[ Conversing indistinctly ] -Answer?

[ Conversing ] -Give me something.

-McKinley?

-No.

It was Garfield.

But you still did a nice job Alexandria City, 260 points.

[ Cheers and applause ] 1 and 2 are left.

Which one will Herndon answer questions from, McLean?

-2.

-2, alright.

Sir James Ross planted his flag on what cold continent where the Ross Sea and the Ross Ice Shelf are named for him?

-I'm guessing Antarctica?

-Antarctica?

-Yeah.

Before the French Revolution, peasants had to pay a tax called the gabelle on what seasoning whose chemical name is sodium chloride?

-Salt?

-Yes.

Here's your science question.

Stomata, xylem, cork.

Within the stem of a plant, which of these would be found closest to the center?

-Stomata?

-No, it's the xylem.

Tourists might flock to Patagonia, a sheep-raising region shared by Chile and what neighboring country where Buenos Aires is capital?

-Argentina?

-Correct.

-It must have seemed in the far distant future when Arthur C. Clarke chose what date to begin the title of his novel and hit movie, "A Space Odyssey."

-2001?

-Yes.

Here's your math question.

When y has a value of 3, what does x equal?

-2?

-Yes.

The Midnight Judges were so named because they were appointed just before what president left office in 1801?

-Thomas Jefferson.

-Thomas Jefferson?

-No, it was John Adams.

Herndon High School, 310 points.

[ Applause ] Which leaves number 2 for McLean.

Of the American states bordering the Atlantic Ocean, only two were not among the original 13, Maine and what Southern Sunshine State?

-Florida?

-Florida.

-Yes.

-Guadalcanal, the site of fierce World War II fighting is part of a chain of islands named for what wise biblical King.

-Solomon?

-Yes.

Here's your science question.

Which of these indicates how long it would take a beam of light sent from the Earth to reach the moon, given that the average distance from the Earth to the moon is 240,000 miles?

-Probably minutes.

1.3 minutes?

-1.3 seconds.

Although camellias are grown around the world, the city that claims to be the camellia capital of the world is what California state capital?

-Sacramento.

Yes.

If a movie were being made of Goethe's "Faust," a leading role would go to what fiendish character to whom Faust sold his soul?

-Mephistopheles.

-Yes.

That's right.

Here's your math question.

Evaluate this expression, giving your answer as a positive integer.

-1?

-1 is right.

After working as a teacher at the New York Institute for the Blind, what young man demonstrated political vision when he became our 22nd and 24th president?

-Cleveland?

-Cleveland is right.

Nice, McLean.

450 points.

Hey, we have the Grab Bag coming up next and anything can happen, so stay with us.

[ Applause ] ♪♪ -Hello, I'm David Rubenstein.

Did you know that the official state seal of California pictures a grizzly bear?

And for good measure, it also has the Greek goddess of wisdom, Athena.

I'm David Rubenstein, reminding you to read, learn, get involved, and make a difference.

-This is for you, our viewing audience.

The answer... Edgar Allan Poe.

Apparently, the Army wasn't amused by his out-of-uniform stunt and told him to butt out.

Back to the teams.

♪♪ -And now it is time for the -- -Grab Bag round!

-Woo!

Yeah, that's right.

And anything can happen in the Grab Bag round.

As I've already said, questions are worth 20 points up or down.

But before we begin, every now and then, I kind of like to get a poll from you guys to see how you're doing.

So Alexandria City, how are you feeling?

-Fantastic.

-Alright.

Good!

Herndon, how about you?

-Good.

-Feeling good.

-Alright.

Good.

With a little more enthusiasm?

-We're feeling good.

-Great.

-Yeah!

McLean?

-We're feeling phenomenal.

-Phenomenal?

Okay.

So are you ready for these questions?

Here we go.

Question number one.

200,000 pounds of copper cover what New York City statue -- Alexandria?

-Statue of Liberty.

-You are right.

What is the least number of faces that a prism can have?

-Herndon.

-Four?

-Ooh.

It's five.

Few rescues will ever match the magnitude of the World War II rescue -- McLean?

-Dunkirk?

-Dunkirk is correct.

On your monitors, carnations were a favorite flower of what 20th century American woman who wrote the semi-autobiographical novel "The Bell Jar"?

Yes, McLean?

-Plath?

-Yeah, Sylvia Plath.

The largest island off the west coast of North America has what same name as British Columbia's -- McLean?

-Vancouver?

-Yes, it is.

According to article one of the Constitution, during a rebellion, Congress can suspend an accused person's right to -- McLean?

-Habeas corpus?

-You are right again.

You have to be in very good shape if you want to climb El Capitan in what California National Park?

McLean?

-Yosemite.

-Yosemite is right.

On your monitors, "The sons of cats always catch mice."

Because he came from a family of musicians, this was said of what Italian composer of the operas "Tosca" and "Madame Butterfly"?

McLean.

-Puccini.

Puccini?

-Puccini, yes.

It was at the request of the Emperor Augustus that what ancient Roman poet wrote "The Aeneid," glorifying -- McLean?

-Virgil?

-Virgil is right choice.

In Rutherford's classic experiment, he bombarded gold foil with -- beta rays, alpha particles -- McLean?

-Alpha particles.

Alpha particles is it.

In "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow," Ichabod Crane rides a horse named for what explosive material believed -- McLean?

Answer?

-Gunpowder.

-Gunpowder it is.

On your monitors, this beautiful orchid is native to what third-largest island in the world?

McLean?

-New Guinea.

-No, Borneo.

Not too far away.

The title of one Tennessee Williams play refers to a menagerie of -- McLean?

-Glass?

-Yes, it is glass.

2018 marked the 150th anniversary of the birth of what African American activist who wrote "The Souls of Black Folk"?

-Yes, Alexandria?

-W.E.B.

Dubois.

-You have got it, Alexandria.

Nice job.

How many millimeters are there in 10.5 centimeters?

Yes, Alexandria/ -150.

-No, 105.

One of the moons of Saturn has what same name as the two-faced god who guarded the doors of houses?

-Herndon.

-Janus?

-Yeah, you've got it.

One of the highlights of the 1893 Chicago -- [ Buzzer sounds ] And that is the end of the game.

Stick around.

Judges are looking over those scores, and we will let you know what they are in just a moment.

[ Applause ] ♪♪ -I'm David Rubenstein, and I believe giving back is something we all can do.

Many students are getting involved in their communities in important ways.

I've asked them to share with us how they're making a difference.

-Hi, my name is Josh Hassler and I'm a junior at Magruder High School.

I'm also a cadet technical sergeant in the Civil Air Patrol, the civilian auxiliary to the United States Air Force.

Within the Civil Air Patrol in my local squadron, I serve as recruitment and retention and as the flight commander for the Cadet Basic Training flight.

In those roles, I introduce visitors to the program and train them in military drill, customs and courtesies and regulations for their first promotion to Cadet Airman.

Our squadron takes place in many volunteer events, including annual trips to our local Air National Guard base to serve food to the servicemen there, and we take part in the Wreaths Across America ceremony every December.

It's very rewarding to see the impact that I can make on my community and on the cadets I train.

-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.

-Now a question for our audience.

If you said Rover or Scout, you're wrong.

It seems George had a romantic streak.

He had many dogs, among them True Love and Sweet Lips.

Woof.

Now, back to the game.

-Alright, so I was just talking to the teams a minute ago, and I was telling them I know how good they are.

These are really smart kids who have a lot of knowledge.

Now, unfortunately, Herndon and Alexandria went against last year's champions, McLean, who is really, really fast.

Now, having said that, let's do these scores.

We begin with Alexandria City, Silas, Violet, Abigail, 280 points!

[ Cheering ] From Herndon High School in Fairfax County, Ryan, Daniel, Matthew, 310 points!

[ Cheering ] And coming back for the playoffs, McLean High School, never taken their finger off the buzzer.

Carter, Andrew, Clara, 630 points!

Blowing it out of the water!

[ Cheering ] A very good game.

Stick around.

We'll be right back.

-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.

-What happens when the right people connect?

Diversity challenges convention, mentors inspire greatness, and passions drive innovation.

From health to transportation and national security, cyber and AI to space and back, Mitre connects the power of government, academia, and industry to meet our nation's challenges together.

Mitre connects.

♪♪ -Alright, once again, first, I want to thank our students, our fabulous students, and you, our incredible viewers.

I'm Hillary Howard.

See you next time.

-Bye, guys.

[ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪