-Students from Banneker, Oakton, and Quince Orchard meet today on "It's Academic"!

[ Applause ] ♪♪ ♪♪ Hello, everybody.

Welcome to "It's Academic," the world's longest-running TV quiz show, now in its 65th season, produced by Altman Productions in association with the great WETA.

-Support for "It's Academic" has been provided by the following.

George Mason University.

"All Together Different."

-Call us different.

-Different in where we come from... -Where we're going... -And how we think.

-But the same in our dreams for tomorrow.

-Driven by the pull of possibility.

-To inspire.

-To think fearlessly.

-To protect and to heal the planet.

We know the world will change.

-Together... -We will be the ones to change it.

-Call Mason different.

All... -...together... -...different.

[ Cheers and applause ] -We are so happy that you have joined us for this "It's Academic" match.

Its going to be a good one.

And, guys, as you know, we always begin with the Fast Start.

In the Fast Start, questions are worth 10 points up or down.

First team to buzz in gets to answer, and the students do not see what you do on the screens at home.

Here we go.

An academic "A."

All answers in this round will begin with the letter "A," as in "apple."

The centers for Disease Control and Prevention is based -- Banneker.

-Atlanta.

-Yes, that's it.

Yes, Quince Orchard.

-Uh... -Answer?

-Speech.

-No.

Assembly.

Going for A's.

-Assyria.

-Yes, that's right.

-Attila.

-Yes, Quince Orchard.

Yeah, nicely done.

Yep, Orchard.

-Antimony.

-Correct.

Yes, Oakton.

-Asteroids.

-Yeah, you've got it.

Yup, Banneker.

-Antarctica.

-Yeah.

Vienna is the capital of this European -- Yes, Banneker.

-Austria.

-Correct.

-Avogadro -Orchard.

Yes.

Yep, Banneker.

-Abominable.

-Abominable it is.

And not an abominable answer, by the way, but quite a good one.

That does it for our Fast Start.

Let's take a look at these scores.

Benjamin Banneker, 140 points, Oakton, home of the Cougars, 110 points, and Quince Orchard, 130 points.

[ Applause ] And then we have an interior competition between the two cougars.

[ Laughter ] Okay.

So, you know, we're going to continue with the Mix & Match round, but first we're going to meet these teams.

And we begin with Benjamin Banneker, home of the Bulldogs.

First person we meet is Sadie.

Hello, Sadie.

-Hi.

I'm Sadie.

I'm a senior.

And I run my school's Jewish student union.

-Great.

Hiya, Eleanor.

-Hi.

I'm Eleanor.

I'm a senior.

And I volunteer at a senior living community.

-That's always a good one.

Amelia, Hello.

-Hi.

I'm also a senior.

And I do theater at my school.

-Well, that's exciting.

Guys, I have some questions for you.

They are worth 20 points.

Nothing off for a wrong answer.

Our Everest ascent.

You can ascend to a higher score if you find here the last name of what Colonial silversmith who warned, "The British are coming."

-Revere.

-Paul Revere.

-Revere.

-That's it.

Plagiarism, embezzlement, extortion.

A person who passes off someone else's written work as his or her own would be guilty of which of these?

-Plagiarism.

-Yeah.

"Money is the blank in our society."

You can complete this comment by adding the term for what body part, such as the biceps or deltoid muscle?

-Muscle?

-Sure.

-Muscle.

-Yeah.

That's it.

The Sound Off and the Fury.

Not quite.

Please correct this Faulkner title by deleting one word.

-"The Sound of the Fury"?

-Yeah.

-Mm-hmm.

"The Sound of the Fury."

-No, I don't think so.

It's "The Sound and the Fury."

We're getting rid of the word "off."

Chlorophyll, anthocyanin, carotene.

Of these three natural pigments, which one is most evident in leaves that turn yellow in autumn?

-Chlorophyll?

-Sure, yeah.

-Chlorophyll.

-No.

It's Carotene.

"Caro-teen."

"We couldn't help thinkin' they were just a pair of poor nuts."

This was the way one man summed up local opinion regarding what pair of brothers at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, in 1903?

-The Wright brothers?

-Yeah.

The Wright brothers.

-Yeah.

Isn't that great?

"Just a pair of poor nuts."

They did okay for themselves.

So did you, Benjamin Banneker -- 240 points.

[ Applause ] Alright, over to Oakton, one of the Cougars' homes.

[ Laughs ] We begin with Nidhi.

Hello, Nidhi.

What should we know about you?

-Hello.

I'm Nidhi.

I'm a junior at Oakton.

And outside of Scholastic Bowl, I'm in Oakton choir, and I'm the vice president of our a capella group and our Music Honor Society.

-Wow.

That's amazing.

Hiya, Raina.

-Hello.

I'm Raina.

I'm a junior at Oakton.

And I really like to read.

-Very good.

And finally, Maya.

Hi, Maya.

-Hi.

I'm Maya.

I'm a junior at Oakton.

And outside of "It's Academic," I like to do technical theater.

-Oh, that's wonderful.

Yeah.

Alright, guys, you ready for your first question?

Farm or seashore.

Hidden in this choice is the last name of what American who invented the telegraph and a code to use with it?

-Morse.

-Yep.

That's it.

Making up his mind, saving money, walking uphill.

A person who vacillates has trouble doing which of these?

-Making up his mind?

Making up his mind.

-Yep, that's it.

"Nobody roots for..." You can complete this quote from 7-foot-tall basketball great Wilt Chamberlain by adding the name of what Biblical giant who was defeated by David?

-Goliath.

-Goliath.

-It's Goliath.

Fire and Ice Cubes.

That's not right.

Please eliminate one word to make the title of this Robert Frost poem correct.

-"Fire and Ice"?

"Fire and Ice."

-"Fire and Ice" is right.

You're getting rid of "cubes."

Yes.

Of these three letters, which is the chemical symbol for the element potassium?

-K.

-Yes.

"I will be loyal to the profession of medicine."

This is part of what ancient oaths are still taken by doctors when they graduate from medical school?

-The Hippocratic Oath.

-You are right, Oakton, home of the Cougars.

230 points.

Well done.

[ Applause ] And now to Quince Orchard High School and Uriel.

Hiya, Uriel.

-Hi.

My name is Uriel.

And I run cross-country for Quince Orchard.

-Yeah.

Are you fast?

-Uh, kinda.

We're getting there.

-Alright, very good.

Hiya, Rick.

-Hi.

-What are you up to?

-Hi.

My name is Rick.

And I play lead guitar in a rock band.

-Wow.

-Yeah, follow us on Instagram.

@acetones.band -- that's our "at."

[ Laughter ] -And finally, hello, Jayden.

How you doing?

-Hi.

My name is Jayden.

And I play soccer for a competitive club.

-Uh-huh.

And are you good?

-Um, I hope so.

-Yeah.

Alright, guys.

-He's great.

He's great.

-He's great?

-Yeah.

-That's nice.

Good validation right there.

Here we go.

Watch as I act.

You can watch yourself get 20 points.

If you find hidden in this sentence the name of what continent, the largest in land area?

-Asia.

-Yes.

Phrenology, philology, paleontology.

Which of these words is used to describe the study of fossils?

-Paleontology.

-That's it.

"Man can travel to the moon, but cannot cross from East to West."

You can complete this 1978 comment from writer Arthur Kessler by adding what German city then divided by a wall?

-Berlin.

-Berlin is right.

The Hunger Diet Games.

This is Suzanne Collins title isn't quite right.

Please eliminate one word to make it correct.

-It is "The Hunger Games."

-You are right.

We're getting rid of "diet."

Platinum, mercury, radium.

Cinnabar is the principal ore of which of these elements, a metal that's liquid at room temperature.

-Mercury.

-Yes.

"My life is my message."

This was the comment of what great Indian leader called "Mahatma," who preached non-violence, but was assassinated in 1948?

-Gandhi.

-You've got it.

Nice, Quince Orchard.

250 points.

[ Applause ] That does it for Mix & Match.

Stick around.

We have the Picture Perfect round next.

In 1961, nine high school students walked into a TV studio in Washington, DC, to film the very first episode of "It's Academic."

-Good evening, and welcome to "It's Academic," the weekly program... -Little did they know that over the course of the next 65 years, thousands of high school students would follow them onto the set and into broadcast history.

-I think what has kept "It's Academic" on the air for so long -- you have strong support from the schools, and we've had strong community support.

-There aren't a ton of outlets to, like, be competitive in an academic setting.

-It teaches composure, knowledge, wisdom.

-And it's like an engaging, fun quiz show, but it also teaches you so much about the world in so many different facets.

-Today, "It's Academic" is celebrating 65 years and is the world's longest-running TV quiz show.

Thank you students, schools, viewers, and fans.

And remember -- it's academic!

[ Applause ] Welcome back everybody.

It's time for Picture Perfect.

But first let's recap those scores.

Benjamin Banneker, 220 points, Oakton, 230 points, Quince Orchard, 250 points.

[ Applause ] So, we've got some pictures for you in this Picture Perfect round, where questions are worth 20 points up or down.

Once again, first team to buzz in gets to answer.

Teams, these trees were photographed in Suriname, a small South American country bordering what largest nation?

Quince Orchard.

-Brazil.

-Yes.

Calcite is a common carbonate, one of whose forms is named for what North Atlantic nation whose capital is Reykjavik?

-Yes, Banneker.

-Iceland.

-Yeah!

Here you have the death mask of what Egyptian pharaoh?

Yes, Banneker.

-King Tut.

-Yep.

Very good.

Solve for X. Anybody?

The answer is 3.

Choice -- this George Catlin painting shows the chief of what Midwest Native American tribe -- Mohawk, Osage, or Iroquois?

Yep, Orchard.

-Mohawk.

-Nope.

It's Osage.

In this ancient artwork, a lion is attacking a man from what East African country whose modern capital city is Addis Ababa?

Quince Orchard.

-Ethiopia.

-Yes.

An arsenite capable of converting electricity into laser light beams is a compound of what element with atomic number 31 and symbol -- Quince Orchard.

-Gallium.

-Very nicely done.

This depiction of the Holy Family is the earliest known painting by what Italian artist who later painted the ceiling of -- Banneker.

-Michelangelo.

You are right, yes, Of the Sistine Chapel.

Well done.

[ Applause ] Okay, everybody, I have a question for you out there.

We're going to give you the answer to this after we meet these fabulous coaches and administrators who really support these teams here on "It's Academic."

And we begin with Benjamin Banneker from Washington, DC.

Eleanor, who's standing behind you.

This is our wonderful coach, Dr.

Kerr.

He lets us spend a lot of time being very loud in his classroom.

[ Laughter ] And we'd like to thank him, and we'd also like to thank all of our parents for coming out today to support us.

-Awesome.

That is beautiful.

Over to Oakton.

Raina, who's behind you?

-This is Ms.

Landis, our assistant principal, Ms.

Lane, our wonderful principal, and Ms.

Vargas, our great sponsor.

-Yeah.

And what makes them so good?

-Um, well, Ms.

Vargas, like, lets us eat snacks in her room while we practice.

[ Laughter ] It's amazing.

-The mark of a fabulous coach, right?

Okay, good to have you guys.

And over to Quince Orchard.

Rick, tell me, who's with you.

Uh, well, this is our wonderful coach, Mr.

Schuman.

He was me AP Gov teacher last year.

And what makes him so great is that he's really funny, but he also teaches very well.

And I learned a lot from him, not only in terms of government, but also humor.

And this is our wonderful new principal, Dr.

LaGrange.

I actually am an early college student, so I don't have much experience with how she does it, so I'm gonna forward it to Uriel.

-Yeah, she's doing a great job so far, supporting our school at athletic events and whatnot and day-to-day activities.

So, thank you, Doctor.

-Oh, that's great.

Well, we're so happy to have all of you here.

Thank you so much.

Okay, now that we've met all the coaches, I have your answer.

The artist who believed he was the reincarnation of his dead brother -- and this one kind of tracks -- Salvador Dali.

And who knows?

Maybe he was.

And with that, we will begin the Packet round.

Teams, you know how this works.

Benjamin Banneker, you get to answer questions first.

Oakton, you get to choose which of these fine packets they'll answer questions from -- one, two, or three.

-Two.

-Two.

-Two.

The first European to write an account of the windless, seaweed-filled Sargasso Sea -- that's hard to say, by the way -- was what explorer whose 1492 expedition was financed by Spain's Ferdinand and Isabella?

-Christopher Columbus.

-Yes.

Although the US is no longer on the gold standard, there are still thousands of tons of gold bars stored in what Kentucky fort?

The answer is Fort Knox.

A triangle atop a cross was the old alchemist symbol for what non-metallic element whose atomic number is 16 and whose modern symbol is S?

-Sulfur?

-Yeah.

-Sulfur.

-That's it.

Here's your science question.

Melatonin, adrenaline, apoplast.

Produced by a gland located just above the kidneys, which of these is a hormone secreted in response to physical or mental stress or fear?

-Adrenaline?

-Yeah.

Adrenaline.

-That's it.

And many international boundary lines are marked by rivers, but France is separated from Spain by what mountain range?

[ Indistinct whispering ] Answer is... the Pyrenees.

-The Alps.

-No.

Good guess, good guess.

What 19th-century French author not only took us from the earth to the moon, but also 20,000 leagues under the sea?

-Jules Verne.

-You've got it.

Here's your math question.

Simplify complete this expression.

-Um... -Yeah.

-4xyz?

-Yeah.

-4xyz.

-You are right.

In 1952, Elizabeth II became Queen of England, and what former general was elected the 34th President of the United States?

-Eisenhower?

-Sure.

-Eisenhower.

-Yeah, nice one!

It was Eisenhower.

Benjamin Banneker, 400 points.

[ Applause ] Oakton, it's your turn to play.

Quince Orchard, packet one or three?

-Let's do three.

-Three.

Here are your questions.

In 2018, paleontologists discovered the remains of a new species of dinosaur about the size of a school bus in what largest African desert?

-Sahara.

-The Sahara.

That is it.

In 1986, almost 2,000 people and 3,500 livestock were suffocated when a huge amount of what gas, whose formula is CO2, bubbled out of Cameroon's Lake Nyos?

-Carbon dioxide.

-It was carbon dioxide, yeah.

The constellation Draco is said to represent what fire-breathing creatures such as that slain by England's Saint George?

-Phoenix?

-Phoenix.

-No, just a dragon.

Here's your science question.

Oxalic gas, ozone, oxyacetylene.

Which of these terms refers to a highly reactive allotrope of oxygen that forms a protective layer in the upper atmosphere?

Its formula is O3.

-Ozone.

-That's right.

Congress was accused of fiscal irresponsibility in 1824, when it awarded $200,000 to what French noblemen who had come to America's aid in the Revolutionary War?

-Lafayette.

-Lafayette's right.

On their list of books that everyone should read, British librarians included what 1960 American novel by Harper Lee, whose characters include Atticus Finch?

-"How to Kill a Mockingbird"?

-"How to Kill a Mockingbird."

I think that's acceptable.

Yes, it is.

"To Kill a Mockingbird."

Nicely done.

Here's your math question.

What is the value of X?

-4.

-4 is right.

What 17th president asked to be buried wrapped in an American flag with a copy of the Constitution beneath his head?

[ Indistinct whispering ] Answer?

-Taylor.

Nah, it was Andrew Johnson.

Nice job, though, Oakton.

350 points.

[ Applause ] And now, packet number one for Quince Orchard.

A short story by Graham Greene is titled "The Man Who Stole" what tall iron structure in the center of Paris?

-Eiffel Tower.

-That's it.

Although it was fought in Abu Qir Bay, a 1798 naval battle was popularly named for what river that flows through Egypt?

-The Nile.

-That's right.

One dog who had his own personal psychiatrist was Jofi, the pet of what Austrian doctor who founded psychoanalysis?

-Sigmund Freud.

-Sigmund Freud.

-That's it.

Here's your science question.

Adipose, lipase, amino acid.

Which of these might accurately be described as a building block for protein?

-Amino acid.

-You're right.

The 1860s witnessed the Civil War, as well as what 1862 congressional act that made public lands available to settlers?

-The Homestead Act?

-The Homestead Act.

-Yep.

Among the cavalry officers at the 1289 Battle of Campaldino was what Italian poet who later wrote "The Divine Comedy"?

-Dante.

-Hmm?

-Dante.

-Dante.

-It is Dante.

Here's your math question.

Evaluate this expression where roots are positive.

[ Indistinct whispering ] -12.

-Yep.

It's 12.

The wife of what sixth president raised silkworms and used the silk they produced in making her clothes?

[ Indistinct whispering ] -John Quincy Adams.

-It is John Quincy Adams.

Quince Orchard, you've got yourself a 25-point bonus.

Nicely done.

[ Applause ] That does it for our Packet round.

You know what's next.

It's the Grab Bag.

Stay where you are.

Did you know that in 1698, Russia's Peter the Great put a tax on beards?

Peasants were exempt, but everyone else had to pay a fee and carry proof of payment.

We understand the IRS has already taken note of this.

Now you know.

Alright, guys, in the Grab Bag round, as you know, undoubtedly, questions are worth 20 points up or down.

First team to buzz in gets to answer, and we're off.

Respect for England's Earl of Sandwich, rather than hunger, caused Captain Cook to give the name Sandwich Islands to what Pacific territory, now a state?

Yep, Banneker.

-Hawaii.

-Yep.

It's Hawaii.

In 1858, Julia Holmes became the first woman to climb what famous Colorado mountain peak?

Banneker.

-Pikes Peak.

-Pikes Peak is right.

One of the country's most unusual museums is dedicated to what bird that was used to carry messages on the battlefield?

Banneker.

-Pigeon.

-Pigeon it is.

On your screens.

You're looking at what ice-free Canadian port city?

It's the capital of Nova Scotia.

Yes, Oakton.

-Halifax.

-Halifax it is.

It's a cute city.

Please take the time to read "Astrophysics for People in a Hurry," a book by what astrophysicist?

♪ Dink, dink, dink, dink ♪ It's Neil deGrasse Tyson.

What is the arithmetic mean of 15 and 21?

Banneker.

-18.

-18.

Yes.

Lake Champlain is named for French explorer Samuel de Champlain, who also discovered what easternmost of the Great Lakes?

Quince Orchard.

Answer?

Three, two, one.

It's Lake Ontario.

On your screens.

AutoReply from Sunburnt: Held up at airport security.

This might have been an away message from what son of Daedalus, whose wax wings melted when he flew?

Banneker.

-Icarus.

-Icarus it is.

"A Glorious Celebration" is the subtitle of a book celebrating the 80th birthday of what African-American woman?

Oakton.

-Rosa Parks.

-No.

Maya Angelou.

Choice -- the frequency of a simple pendulum is equal to the reciprocal of the amplitude, wavelength, or period?

-Period.

-Yes, Orchard.

Period.

Yeah, nicely done.

Because he used his mirror for a self-portrait, what 19th-century Dutch artist showed -- -Van Gogh.

-Yep.

Van Gogh is right.

Quince Orchard, on your screens.

Koalas are marsupials whose diet consists of the leaves of what kind of -- Oakton.

-Eucalyptus.

-Yes.

It's eucalyptus.

In 1846, congressional abolitionists favored what proviso which would have forbidden slavery?

Banneker.

-Wilmot -Yeah.

Nicely done.

Almost three times the size of Texas, what Arab country is the site of the holy city of Mecca?

Orchard.

-Saudi Arabia.

-Correct.

Though he spent a lot of time studying frogs and turtles, what 19th-century naturalist is best known for his paintings in a book called "Birds of America"?

It is Audubon, James Audubon.

On your screens.

This is a depiction of what 1863 Mississippi battle that was a turning point in the Civil War?

Yep, Orchard.

-Um... -Answer?

-Vicksburg.

-Vicksburg is right.

Nicely done.

What Ancient Greek scientist stated that he could -- [ Buzzer ] And that does it.

That's the end of the game.

[ Applause ] Stick around.

We're going to tally up these scores and be right back with more.

As we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, here are some things you should know.

Future President John Adams took on the unpopular task of defending the British soldiers accused of murder in the 1770 Boston Massacre.

Learn more about America's founding.

Stream "The American Revolution," a new documentary from Ken Burns premiering November 16th on WETA+, a brand-new free and easy-to-use streaming service created specifically for DC-area viewers like you.

For more information, go to weta.org/wetaplus.

[ Applause ] The scores are now official.

We begin with Oakton High School, home of the Cougars, Nidhi, Raina, and Maya, 370 points.

[ Applause ] From Benjamin Banneker High School, home of the Bulldogs -- making quite a comeback, guys -- Sadie, Eleanor, and Amelia, 520 points.

[ Applause ] And winning a 25-point bonus, the gentlemen at Quince Orchard, home of the Cougars, Uriel, Rick, Jayden, 535 points.

Well done, guys.

[ Applause ] We are so happy that you joined us today.

Can't wait to see you next time.

I'm Hillary Howard, and remember, everybody... -It's academic!

-Bye-bye.

See ya.

[ Applause ] -Support for "It's Academic" has been provided by the following -- George Mason University.

"All Together Different."

-Call us different.

-Different in where we come from... -Where we're going... -And how we think.

-But the same in our dreams for tomorrow.

-Driven by the pull of possibility.

-To inspire.

-To think fearlessly.

-To protect and to heal the planet.

We know the world will change.

-Together... -We will be the ones to change it.

-Call Mason different.

All... -...together... -...different.

♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪