-Students from Blake, McDonough, St. Albans meet today on "It's Academic".

[ Applause ] ♪♪ ♪♪ And now, the host of "It's Academic", Hillary Howard.

-Hello, everybody, and 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're called to do more.

MITRE -- solving problems for a safer world.

-Alright, let's get this going with a Fast Start.

All questions are worth ten 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.

Let's do this.

These questions should suit you to a T, since all the answers are words or names with a double T, that's two T side by side.

[ Buzzer ] -Blake.

Answer?

-Kettledrum?

-Yeah.

-McDonough.

Cotton is right.

-Cotton?

-Blake.

-Yttrium.

-Correct.

-Scott.

-Yes, Blake.

-Blake.

-Little -Yeah.

An Olympic swimming medley includes this stroke.

-St. Albans.

-Butterfly.

-Butterfly is right.

Answer is attainder.

A small bird symbolizes this social media service that limits -- Blake.

-Twitter.

-Twitter is right.

And that is the end of the Fast Start.

Let's look at the scores.

Blake -- 150.

McDonough -- 110.

St. Albans -- 110 points.

Next up, Mix & Match.

But before our first question, let's meet team one from Silver Spring, Maryland, Blake High School.

Hello, Luke.

Good to see you.

-Hi.

I'm a 14-year-old freshman.

I'd like to thank our moderator, Miss Hillary Howard, the lady with the radio voice and television face.

-Ooh!

I love you, Luke.

Tell me about your little mascot.

-This is our mascot, Benny the Bengal.

He's got his little '70s jazz glasses on.

-Very good.

I like him.

He's cool.

Hiya, Nathan.

-Hi.

I'm a 16-year-old sophomore.

I would like to thank all of our teachers for helping us prepare for today, particularly our social studies teachers, Ms. Loveland, Mrs. Rowe, and Mrs. Wagner.

And I'd also like to give a shout out to our alternates, Nikhil Paranjape, Rosa Cronin, and Tiffany Ojeda.

-Wonderful.

Alright, guys, questions are worth 20 points in this particular round.

No penalties for a wrong answer, but you already knew that, right?

Just in case.

I wanted to throw it out there.

Here we go.

A Formal Tapestry.

We will formally award you 20 points if you can find here the name of what small country, a Mediterranean island.

-Malta.

-Malta is right.

Surprising.

Two Long.

Comprehensible.

If a lecturer gave a very coherent talk, you could describe the speech with which of these adjectives?

-Comprehensible.

-Yeah.

-Add some letters here and you'll name what element with atomic number 51 and chemical symbol SB, as in boy?

-Antimony.

-Correct.

-Allegheny River.

Mohawk River.

Chilkat River.

Each year, about 3,000 bald eagles gather to feed along the banks of what river in southeastern Alaska?

-Third one.

-Third one is right.

Chilkat River.

I've been there, but not during eagle season.

"Depend on it, Sir.

Nothing will come of it."

These words, referring to the recently introduced railroads, were spoken by what British duke who won the Battle of Waterloo?

I answer?

-Wellington.

Duke Wellington.

-Wellington is right.

Nicely done, Blake.

250 points.

And now we get to meet the team from McDonough High School in Pomfret, Maryland, which is in Charles County.

Hiya, Skylar.

Tell us about yourself.

-Hello.

I'm a 17-year-old senior, and I would like to thank our two coaches, Miss Dempsey and Mrs. Hobbs, as well as our principal, Mr. Russell.

-Wonderful.

Hiya, Julie.

-Hi, I'm Julie.

I'm a 15-year-old sophomore, and I would like to thank our families for supporting us throughout the season, especially our parents who are with us today.

-Yeah, that's nice.

Thanks, Parents.

Hey, Laila.

-Hi.

I'm Laila.

I'm a 16-year-old junior, and I would like to thank the rest of our team, including our alternate, Noah Cusack.

-Alright, guys, here we go.

Data I Want.

Study the data in this phrase and you'll find the name of what small island Republic off the coast of China?

-Taiwan.

-Yeah.

Ooh, nice.

In unison.

A Molar.

An Invasion.

A Large Debt.

Which of these is the best definition for the word incursion?

-Large debt.

-It is an invasion.

Fill in these blanks, please, to name the chemical element whose symbol is V as in Victor.

-Vanadium.

-Vanadium's right.

Mesopotamia.

Macedonia.

Mongolia.

The rulers of ancient China built their Great Wall to stop invaders from which of these areas?

-Mongolia.

-Yeah.

"He lived in his palace like a hog in a sty."

Here you have one historian's description of what Russian tsar, are usually referred to, more differentially, as "The Great"?

-Peter.

-Peter is right.

Nicely done, McDonough.

190 points.

And now to St. Albans from Washington, D.C. Hiya, Shreyan.

-Hi, I'm Shreyan.

I'm a 17-year-old senior, and I'd like to thank the rest of my team as well as our alternate Jack Thomas for coming out today.

-Alrighty.

Rishi, good to see you.

-Hi, I'm Rishi.

I'd like to thank our coach, Mr. Kelley, who's been so great in helping us prepare for today and for the tournament in general.

-Awesome.

And Teddy.

-Hi, I'm Teddy.

I'm an 18-year-old senior, and I'd like to thank our friends and family for their support, as well as all of our teachers who have helped us gather this base of knowledge.

-Beautiful.

Alright, guys, here we go.

A Rug and a Chair.

Hidden in this phrase is the name of what African country whose capital is Kampala?

-Uganda.

-Yeah.

Delicate.

Delicious.

Destructive.

Something that is pernicious can best be described by which of these words?

-Destructive?

-Destructive is right.

Fill in the blanks here and you can name what highly radioactive element used in making nuclear weapons?

-Plutonium?

-Yeah.

Kuwait.

Iran.

Pakistan.

Which of these countries does not border Afghanistan?

-Kuwait.

-Yes.

-"Has God forgotten everything I've done for Him?"

These were the words of what French Sun King whose reign ended in 1715?

I need his number.

-Louis XIV?

-Yes, it was.

Nice, St. Albans.

You've got a score of 210 points.

And that is it for the Mix & Match round.

Picture Perfect is coming at you 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.

♪♪ -It is time for the Picture Perfect round.

But first, let's re-check those scores.

Blake High School -- 250 points.

McDonough -- 190 points.

St. Albans -- 210 points.

In this Picture Perfect round, the first team to buzz in gets to answer.

You know that.

Questions are worth 20 points up or down.

So, students, be careful.

Here we go.

This is what kind of lizard?

St. Albans.

-Chameleon.

-Chameleon is right.

Good.

This is ilmenite, a mineral that's the chief source of what Metallic element whose symbol is T?

Blake.

-Titanium?

Yeah.

Nice one.

Here we are.

This road leads to a West Virginia county that shares its name with what 1883 act establishing the Civil -- -Pendleton.

-Blake?

-Pendleton.

-Yes.

Pendleton Act.

For what value of X is -- St. Albans?

-2.

-2.

Yeah.

This old Italian based dialect is spoken on what Mediterranean island that was the birthplace of -- Blake?

-Corsica.

-Yeah.

Corsica.

Napoleon Bonaparte.

Flowers like these were a favorite of what woman who wrote the words to "The Battle Hymn of the Republic"?

[ Buzzer ] -Blake.

-Howe.

-Yep.

Howe is it.

Julia Ward Howe.

Among the most spectacular waterfalls in the world, Iguazu Falls borders Brazil and what second largest South American country?

Blake.

-Argentina.

-Argentina is right.

Nicely done.

Now, of course, it is time for halftime.

Let's stop for a minute and meet the coaches and administrators who have worked so hard to get our teams ready for this competition.

First, we begin with Silver Springs' Blake High School.

Nathan, who's with you?

-Hi.

This is our coach, Mr. Caulfield.

He's a retired English teacher who frequently substitutes at the school.

-Wonderful.

Great to see you, Mr. Caulfield.

From McDonough High School, who was with you, Julie?

-We have with us our.

fantastic coaches, Miss Hobbs and Miss Dempsey and our principal, Mr. Russell.

-Wonderful to have you guys here.

Thanks for showing up.

And St. Albans.

Who's with you, Rishi?

-Behind me, we have Mr. Kelly, who's been so great in helping us prepare us for today.

-Mr. Kelly, always great to see you.

Thanks so much for being here.

And now that we've made the introductions, we can begin this Packet round, right?

In the Packet round, questions are worth 20 points.

Nothing off for a wrong answer.

If you get all the questions right, what do you get?

-Bonus.

-Bonus.

-Yeah!

25 point bonus.

Very good.

I'm glad you didn't leave me hanging.

So we begin with Blake.

Team one, McDonough.

Team two gets to choose which packet they will answer questions from.

1, 2, or 3.

-1.

-1.

Decisively said.

Here we go, Blake.

A participant in the decathlon performs in what number of separate events as indicated by the Greek prefix for the word decathlon?

-Ten.

-Yeah.

The name of a French soldier, Pierre-Francois Bouchard, was etched into the history books when he discovered what stone that provided the key to Egyptian hieroglyphics?

-Rosetta Stone.

-Yeah.

One of the few instances of a word containing two consecutive U's occurs in what word suggesting a space empty of matter?

-Vacuum.

-Vacuum.

Here's your science question.

Axon.

Axillary.

Allel.

Which of these terms refers to the projecting portion of a nerve cell that carries a nerve impulse away from a nerve cell body?

-The second one.

-Second one?

No, it's axon.

Next question.

One of the easiest figures to find in the night sky is what hunter constellation, which includes the large star Betelgeuse?

-Orion.

-Orion is right.

Both Robert Goddard and Wernher von Braun said their interest in rocketry was inspired by what French authors novel "From the Earth to the Moon"?

The answer is Jules Verne.

Here's your math question.

If X equals 5, this expression will equal what integer?

-25.

-Yeah.

And the final question.

"Stamp Out the Stamp Act" might have been a slogan for what radical leader who planned the Boston Tea Party and was a founder of the Sons of Liberty?

-Samuel Adams?

-Samuel Adams it is.

Blake High School -- 470 points, guys.

Nice.

And now to you guys, McDonough.

St. Albans, would you do the honor in choosing either Packet 2 or 3?

-We'll choose 2.

-2.

Here we go.

In one of his best known poems, Wordsworth wrote that his heart leaps up when he sees in the sky what colorful, natural phenomenon that sometimes follows a thunderstorm?

-Rainbow?

-Rainbow it is.

While Coronado did not find the Seven Golden Cities of Cibola, his expedition did reach what great national landmark carved out by the Colorado River?

-Grand Canyon?

-The magnificent Grand Canyon.

Yes.

What is the last name of the Italian explorer whose first name, Amerigo, was given to North and South America?

-Vespucci.

-Yes.

Here's your science question.

In millimeters of mercury, what pressure is equal to one atmosphere?

-100.

-It is 760 milliliters.

Here is your next question.

If your local government decided to buy your house in order to build a new road, the government could do so under what right with a two word name?

Answer?

Need an answer.

It is eminent domain.

Many people love the Gabriel Garcia Marquez novel titled "Love in the Time of" what deadly Disease?

Answer?

In three, two, one.

-Scarlet Fever?

-No, it's cholera.

"Love in the Time of Cholera".

Here's your math question.

Simplify this expression, giving your answer as an integer.

-7.

-Yeah.

Union supporters had an additional reason to celebrate on July 4th, 1863, because on that day, General Grant captured what major port city on the Mississippi?

Answer?

In three, two, one.

It is Vicksburg.

McDonough High School -- 270 points.

Nice, guys.

And now we're off to St. Albans.

Packet 3.

First question.

In France in 1740, a cow was sentenced to be hanged for what same crime for which 20 women had earlier been executed in Salem, Massachusetts?

-Witchcraft.

-Witchcraft.

Yes.

William Lassell discovered the moon Triton orbiting what planet eighth from the Sun, just 17 days after he had discovered the planet himself?

-Neptune.

-Yeah.

The three-toed box turtle was chosen by schoolchildren as the official state reptile of what state, whose capital is Jefferson City?

-Missouri?

-Yeah.

Here's your science question.

Which of these figures represents the mass of one liter of water under standard conditions?

-1,000 grams.

-You are right.

George Washington was just 16 years old when he took his first job doing what sort of work that involves measuring property lines and land boundaries?

-Surveyor?

Surveyor.

Yes.

Just how many splendid sons title a best-selling novel by Khaled Hosseini?

-A thousand.

-A thousand is right.

Here's your math question.

How many degrees are there in angle X if these two angles are supplementary?

-80.

-Yeah.

The nickname "The Desert Fox" was given to what World War II German field marshal who fought in North Africa?

-Himmler?

-No.

Erwin Rommel.

But you did a really nice job, St. Albans.

390 points.

And that's it for the Packet round.

We have that Grab Bag round coming at you next.

-Hello, I'm David Rubenstein.

Did you know the Empire State Building was completed ahead of schedule and $5 million under budget?

That alone makes it memorable, even without King Kong.

Completed in 1931, it remained the world's tallest building for 40 years.

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

[ Cheers and applause ] -It is time for the Grab Bag round, where anything can happen.

But first, let's check the scores and see where our teams stand.

We begin with Blake -- 470 points, McDonough -- 270 points, and St. Albans -- 390 points.

[ Cheers and applause ] Now, there are a lot more points to be had as we move into this Grab Bag round so let's do it.

All questions are worth 20 points up or down.

If you are ready, teams, and I presume that you are, here we go.

Although he was born in France, Godfrey of Bouillon became the ruler of what Middle East holy city that was the goal of -- Blake.

-Jerusalem.

-Jerusalem.

Jerusalem is right.

What two letters identify the type of boat commanded by John F. Kennedy and -- Blake.

-PT.

-PT it is.

Picasso's mural "Guernica" was finally returned to Spain in 1981, a few years after the death of what longtime -- St. Albans.

-Franco.

-Franco it is.

On your screens.

This is a painting of what Civil War battle where Stonewall Jackson was fatally wounded?

Answer?

No Civil War buffs?

It is Chancellorsville.

On a trip to Iowa, you can visit the white frame house pictured in "American Gothic" -- Blake.

-Grant Wood.

-Grant Wood is right.

He was the artist.

Choice.

The visible portion of the light emitted by a helium laser is what color?

Blue, red, or yellow?

The answer?

St. Albans.

-Red?

-Red is right.

What Norse god crossed the line from mischief to murder?

Blake?

-Loki.

-Yeah.

Loki.

Here we go.

On your screen.

"Oh, ye critics, will nothing melt ye?"

This despairing remark was made by what author of "Ivanhoe", who avoided personal attacks by publishing his first novels anonymously?

The answer is... Sir Walter Scott.

In 1956, Don Newcombe became the first baseball player to win what top pitching award named for -- Blake.

-Cy Young.

-Cy Young is right.

What is the area of a rhombus whose diagonals are 8 and 10?

[ Buzzer ] -80?

-Yes.

40.

No, I'm sorry.

It's 40 points, St. Albans.

Charles Dickens was very much alive when he wrote the posthumous papers of -- Blake.

-"Pickwick".

-Pickwick Club.

Yeah.

On your screens, guys.

The herb fennel became popular in Europe after it was introduced by what King of the Franks, crowned Emperor and -- Blake.

-Charlemagne.

-Yes.

"In 800" was the rest of that question.

Author D.M.

Thomas once wrote a book named for what mountain said to have been the landing site for Noah's Ark?

Yes, Blake.

-Ararat?

-Ararat is correct.

Some historians say the final battle of the French and Indian Wars was the struggle for control of what river valley named for -- Blake?

-Ohio.

-Ohio.

Ohio River Valley it is.

Jailed for his religious beliefs, what 17th century English preacher spent his prison years writing such books as "Pilgrim's Progress"?

Answer is...John Bunyan.

The passage of the 17th Amendment provided for direct election of what federal -- -Senators.

-Yes, Senators, St. Albans.

Nice.

Abbott and Costello's, "Who's on First?"

comedy routine is officially commemorated at the Baseball Hall of Fame -- -Cooperstown.

-Cooperstown.

Yeah.

According to one historian, the Hellenistic Age ended with what 31 BC sea battle in which Octavian defeated Antony and Cleopatra/ ♪ Bink, bink, bink, bink, bink, bink ♪ Answer is Actium.

[ Buzzer ] Oh, that was the buzzer.

That's it for the Grab Bag round.

While our judges are checking the scores, let's hear a word from 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, I'm Sydney Silva.

I go to Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart, and I volunteer at a memory care, where we talk and play games with people in the memory unit.

So this is a really meaningful experience to me because we get to hear from people and what they've learned throughout their life that's really stuck with them.

One piece of advice that's meant a lot to me is when you wake up in the morning, if you can't find something to laugh about, then go back to bed.

And I think hearing all these experiences from people who had a really different lifestyle than you is really beneficial, and I think that you really make their day by going and hanging out with them.

So it's definitely an experience that I would recommend.

-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.

-Hey, we've got a question for you, audience.

Who was America's first lecturer and what was his fee?

It was Ralph Waldo Emerson.

He got five bucks and oats for his horse.

Now back to the game.

[ Applause ] We are back and the judges have now checked the scores.

So let's see where we stand.

First up, from Maurice J. McDonough High School in Charles County, Skylar, Julie, Laila -- 270 points.

From St. Albans School in Washington, D.C., Shreyan, Rishi Teddy -- 470 points.

And coming back for the semifinal, Blake High School from Silver Spring.

Luke, Nathan, Fred -- 650 points.

Way to go, guys.

Let's hear it for our incredible teams, and for you, our incredible viewers.

So happy you could join us today and match wits with our 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.

[ Applause ] -Join us again next time when we have Richard Montgomery, Oakton, and Langley High Schools compete right here on another "It's Academic" playoff.

I'm Hillary Howard.

So glad you're with us.

See you then.

Bye, guys.

♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪