>> JOIN US TONIGHT AS THE SEMIFINALS BEGIN, WITH THE TOP SEED, LONGMEADOW HIGH SCHOOL, GOING UP AGAINST THE NUMBER FOUR SEED, MINNECHAUG REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL.

THE HISTORIC 61ST SEASON OF WESTERN NEW ENGLAND'S AWARD-WINNING HIGH SCHOOL QUIZ SHOW CONTINUES TONIGHT AS SCHOOLS MATCH WITS.

>> THE MEMBERS OF THE MASSACHUSETTS TEACHERS ASSOCIATION ARE PROUD TO SUPPORT HIGH-QUALITY PROGRAMS ON PUBLIC TELEVISION.

THE MTA: WORKING FOR THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES OUR COMMUNITIES DESERVE.

LEARN MORE AT MASSTEACHER.ORG.

>> YOU CAN SEE THE DIFFERENCE FROM THE FIRST COUPLE OF MINUTES THAT YOU WALK ONTO THIS CAMPUS.

YOU REALIZE IT'S NOT JUST A CAMPUS, IT'S A COMMUNITY.

IT'S A FAMILY.

[ ♪♪♪ ] [ THEME MUSIC PLAYS ] >> GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO AS SCHOOLS MATCH WITS, COMING TO YOU FROM THE CAMPUS OF WESTFIELD STATE UNIVERSITY.

I'M YOUR HOST, BETH WARD.

ONCE AGAIN, HIGH SCHOOLS FROM THROUGHOUT THE REGION WENT HEAD TO HEAD IN QUALIFYING MATCHES TO SEE WHO COULD SCORE ENOUGH POINTS TO FINISH IN THE TOP FOUR AND COMPETE IN THE CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT.

HERE'S A LOOK AT THE FINAL STANDINGS FROM THOSE QUALIFYING ROUNDS.

AND STARTING TONIGHT, IT IS NOT JUST ABOUT THE POINTS ANYMORE.

IT IS ALL ABOUT THE WIN.

THE QUALIFYING MATCHES ARE OVER AND THE PLAYOFFS ARE ABOUT TO BEGIN.

IN TONIGHT'S FIRST SEMIFINAL MATCHUP, WE HAVE NUMBER ONE SEED, LONGMEADOW HIGH SCHOOL, VERSUS NUMBER FOUR SEED, MINNECHAUG REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL.

LET'S TAKE A SECOND TO MEET THE TEAMS, STARTING WITH MINNECHAUG REGIONAL, COACHED BY TEAL LIPINSKI.

>> HELLO, I'M DAVID BORAWSKI, AND I'M A JUNIOR AT MINNECHAUG REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL.

>> HI, I'M CAMERON KOLISKO, AND I'M A SENIOR FROM MINNECHAUG REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL.

>> HI, I'M MOLLY OLSEN, AND I'M A JUNIOR AT MINNECHAUG REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL.

AT THIS TIME, I'D LIKE TO ACKNOWLEDGE OUR ALTERNATES, JOE SARNO, PETER KUSELIAS, AND GIOVANNA CAPUANO.

>> AND FOR LONGMEADOW, COACHED BY TRACY KELLY.

>> HI, I'M JACOB WEISWASSER, A SENIOR FROM LONGMEADOW.

>> HI, I'M EDGAR GEBHARDT, AND I'M A SENIOR FROM LONGMEADOW HIGH SCHOOL.

>> HI, I'M GAVIN BELL, AND I'M A JUNIOR AT LONGMEADOW HIGH SCHOOL.

>> AS WE DO, WE BEGIN OUR MATCH TONIGHT WITH THE CHALLENGE ROUND.

I'LL ASK A SERIES OF QUESTIONS.

BOTH TEAMS WILL HAVE A CHANCE TO BUZZ IN AND ANSWER THOSE QUESTIONS FOR TEN POINTS EACH.

ALL RIGHT, GOOD LUCK TO BOTH TEAMS.

HERE WE GO WITH THE FIRST QUESTION OF THE EVENING.

IF YOU TRAVELED DUE EAST OF BISMARCK, NORTH DAKOTA, WHAT IS THE FIRST STATE-- [ RINGER SOUNDS ] LONGMEADOW.

>> WISCONSIN?

>> I'M SORRY, THAT IS INCORRECT.

ALL RIGHT, MINNECHAUG, THAT GIVES YOU THE CHANCE TO ANSWER THE QUESTION.

WHAT IS THE FIRST STATE BORDER THAT YOU'LL CROSS?

>> MINNESOTA.

>> YES, THAT'S CORRECT.

NEXT QUESTION.

SINCE 2015, SERGIO MATTARELLA HAS SERVED AS PRESIDENT OF WHAT EUROPEAN COUNTRY?

[ RINGER SOUNDS ] MINNECHAUG.

>> SPAIN.

>> I'M SORRY, THAT'S INCORRECT.

LONGMEADOW, THAT GIVES YOU THE CHANCE TO ANSWER.

>> ITALY?

>> ITALY, YES, THAT'S CORRECT.

CHICKEN SOUP WITH RICE AND WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE ARE THE TITLES-- [ RINGER SOUNDS ] LONGMEADOW.

>> THAT'S SHEL SILVERSTEIN.

>> I'M SORRY, THAT'S INCORRECT.

LET ME FINISH THE QUESTION.

--ARE THE TITLES OF BOOKS WRITTEN BY WHAT AUTHOR?

ALL RIGHT, MINNECHAUG, CAN YOU ANSWER?

[ BUZZER SOUNDS ] MAURICE SENDAK IS THE RIGHT ANSWER THERE.

IF IT'S 5:00 P.M.

IN BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, WHAT TIME IS IT IN CHEYENNE, WYOMING?

[ RINGER SOUNDS ] MINNECHAUG.

>> 7:00.

>> I'M SORRY, THAT'S INCORRECT.

LONGMEADOW, CAN YOU ANSWER?

>> 3:00.

>> 3:00, YES, THAT'S RIGHT.

OF THE VOWELS A, E, I, O, AND U, WHICH TWO ARE NOT ABBREVIATIONS FOR CHEMICAL ELEMENTS?

[ RINGER SOUNDS ] LONGMEADOW.

>> E AND O.

>> I'M SORRY, THAT'S INCORRECT.

MINNECHAUG, CAN YOU ANSWER?

>> A AND E. >> YES, THAT IS CORRECT.

LET'S MOVE ON.

WHAT U.S. STATE NICKNAME IS "THE GRANITE STATE"?

[ RINGER SOUNDS ] LONGMEADOW.

>> NEW HAMPSHIRE.

>> NEW HAMPSHIRE, YES, THAT'S RIGHT.

WHAT MONTH OF THE YEAR DERIVES ITS NAME FROM THE LATIN FOR "SEVEN"?

[ RINGER SOUNDS ] MINNECHAUG.

>> JULY.

>> SEPTEMBER.

>> SEPTEMBER.

>> JUDGES SAYING WE HEARD "JULY" FIRST.

THAT IS INCORRECT.

ALL RIGHT, LONGMEADOW, CAN YOU ANSWER?

>> SEPTEMBER.

>> SEPTEMBER IS CORRECT.

LET'S MOVE ON.

IF THERE ARE 10 MILLIMETERS IN A CENTIMETER, HOW MANY SQUARE MILLIMETERS ARE THERE IN 17 SQUARE CENTIMETERS?

[ RINGER SOUNDS ] MINNECHAUG.

>> ONE... >> 1.7 MILLION.

>> I'M SORRY, THAT IS INCORRECT.

LONGMEADOW, CAN YOU ANSWER?

[ RINGER SOUNDS ] >> SORRY, UH, 289?

>> I'M SORRY, THE CORRECT ANSWER IS 1,700.

LET'S MOVE ON.

AFRICAN FOREST, ASIAN AND BORNEO PYGMY ARE ALL SPECIES OF WHAT LARGE ANIMAL?

[ RINGER SOUNDS ] MINNECHAUG.

>> BEAR.

>> I'M SORRY, THAT IS INCORRECT.

LONGMEADOW, THAT GIVES YOU THE CHANCE TO ANSWER.

>> TIGER?

>> ELEPHANT IS THE RIGHT ANSWER THERE.

BLAISE PASCAL WAS A NOTED 17TH-CENTURY WHAT: SURGEON-- [ RINGER SOUNDS ] MINNECHAUG.

>> ARTIST.

>> I'M SORRY, THAT IS INCORRECT.

LET ME FINISH THE QUESTION.

SURGEON, MATHEMATICIAN, OR PAINTER?

LONGMEADOW, CAN YOU ANSWER?

>> MATHEMATICIAN.

>> MATHEMATICIAN, YES, THAT'S CORRECT.

WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING THREE-LETTER WORDS IS NOT A CONJUNCTION: "AND," NOR," "YET," OR "VIA"?

[ RINGER SOUNDS ] MINNECHAUG.

>> VIA.

>> VIA, YES, THAT'S RIGHT.

ON OCTOBER 25TH, 2021, APPLE COMPUTER RELEASED THE MAC OS MONTEREY.

IN THAT SENTENCE-- [ RINGER SOUNDS ] LONGMEADOW.

>> OPERATING SYSTEM.

>> OPERATING SYSTEM, YES, THAT'S CORRECT, NICE JOB.

WHAT IS THE MINIMUM VALUE OF THE SIMPLE FUNCTION "F OF X EQUALS SIX TIMES THE SINE OF X"?

[ RINGER SOUNDS ] LONGMEADOW.

>> NEGATIVE SIX.

>> NEGATIVE SIX, YES, YOU'RE RIGHT.

WHAT SCOTTISH-BORN INVENTOR WAS AWARDED THE FIRST U.S. PATENT FOR THE TELEPHONE IN 1876?

[ RINGER SOUNDS ] MINNECHAUG.

>> ALEXANDER GRAHAM BELL.

>> YES, YOU'RE RIGHT.

CAPTAIN NEMO WAS THE COMMANDER OF THE SUBMARINE NAUTILUS IN THE CLASSIC SCIENCE FICTION STORY-- [ RINGER SOUNDS ] MINNECHAUG.

>> 20,000 LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA.

>> I'M SORRY, THAT IS INCORRECT.

LET ME FINISH THE QUESTION.

--THE CLASSIC SCIENCE FICTION STORY 20,000 LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA, WRITTEN BY WHAT AUTHOR?

ALL RIGHT, LONGMEADOW, CAN YOU ANSWER?

>> JULES VERNE.

>> JULES VERNE, YES, THAT'S RIGHT.

COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING RELATIONSHIP: GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK IS TO ARIZONA AS ARCHES NATIONAL PARK IS TO-- [ RINGER SOUNDS ] MINNECHAUG.

>> UTAH.

>> UTAH, YES, YOU'RE RIGHT.

AMERICAN PAINTER JACKSON POLLOCK WAS MOST CLOSELY ASSOCIATED WITH WHICH ART MOVEMENT?

WAS IT-- [ RINGER SOUNDS ] LONGMEADOW.

>> ABSTRACT IMPRESSIONISM.

>> I'M SORRY, THAT IS INCORRECT.

LET ME FINISH THE QUESTION.

POINTILLISMPOINTILISM, ABSTRACT EXPRESSIONISM, OR MINIMALISM?

ALL RIGHT, MINNECHAUG, CAN YOU ANSWER?

>> ABSTRACT EXPRESSIONALISM.

>> YES, THAT IS RIGHT.

LET'S MOVE ON.

IN THE SI SYSTEM OF UNITS, THE BASIC UNIT OF INDUCTANCE IS ABBREVIATED WITH THE LETTER H, WHICH STANDS FOR WHAT?

[ RINGER SOUNDS ] MINNECHAUG.

>> HERTZ.

>> I'M SORRY, THAT'S INCORRECT.

LONGMEADOW, CAN YOU ANSWER?

>> HECTACRES?

>> "HENRY" IS THE RIGHT ANSWER THERE.

LET'S MOVE ON TO THE NEXT ONE.

THANKSGIVING IS CELEBRATED EACH YEAR IN THE UNITED STATES ON THE FOURTH THURSDAY IN NOVEMBER.

WHAT IS THE EARLIEST DATE THAT THE HOLIDAY CAN BE CELEBRATED?

[ RINGER SOUNDS ] MINNECHAUG.

>> NOVEMBER 21ST.

>> I'M SORRY, THAT'S INCORRECT.

LONGMEADOW, CAN YOU ANSWER?

>> NOVEMBER 22ND?

>> 22ND, YES, THAT IS CORRECT.

AND THAT MARKS THE END OF OUR CHALLENGE ROUND.

NOW LET'S TAKE A MINUTE TO MEET THE TEAM FROM MINNECHAUG REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL.

>> HI, I'M ABBY MCDONALD FROM WESTFIELD STATE UNIVERSITY AND AS SCHOOLS MATCH WITS.

WE ASKED THE TEAM FROM MINNECHAUG, WHAT HAS BEEN THE BEST PART OF YOUR AS SCHOOLS MATCH WITS EXPERIENCE?

>> I THINK PLAYING THE GAME HAS BEEN REALLY FUN.

>> THE BEST PART HAS BEEN BEING PART OF A GREAT TEAM AND MAKING IT TO THE SEMIFINALS.

>> DESPITE A HEALTHY DEBATE AMONG MY TEAMMATES, MY FAVORITE PART OF MY AS SCHOOLS MATCH WITS EXPERIENCE HAS DEFINITELY BEEN HAVING AN AREA TO REALLY UTILIZE MY TRIVIA KNOWLEDGE AND PUT IT TO GOOD USE.

[ ♪♪♪ ] >> WE HAVE A VERY CLOSE FIRST PLAYOFF MATCH OF THE EVENING.

ALL RIGHT, WE NOW STAND AT LONGMEADOW 90, MINNECHAUG 60.

LET'S MOVE ON TO THE FIRST LIGHTNING ROUND OF THE MATCH.

EACH TEAM WILL HAVE A CHANCE TO BUZZ IN AND ANSWER QUESTIONS FOR FIVE POINTS EACH.

BUZZ IN, ANSWER CORRECTLY, YOU WIN FIVE POINTS.

HOWEVER, THIS IS CRITICAL, IF YOU ANSWER INCORRECTLY, YOUR TEAM LOSES FIVE POINTS.

WELL, HOPEFULLY YOU WON'T TRAIL BEHIND IN THIS ROUND.

EACH ANSWER IS A ONE-SYLLABLE WORD WHICH RHYMES WITH THE WORD "TRAIL."

YOU HAVE 90 SECONDS, STARTING RIGHT NOW.

SYSTEM OF WRITING OR PRINTING-- [ RINGER SOUNDS ] LONGMEADOW.

>> RAIL.

>> BRAILLE.

>> I HEARD "RAIL" FIRST, CORRECT ANSWER IS BRAILLE.

A SMALL MIGRATORY GAME BIRD.

[ RINGER SOUNDS ] LONGMEADOW.

>> QUAIL.

>> QUAIL, YES, THAT'S CORRECT.

THE KNIGHTS OF THE ROUND TABLE SOUGHT THE HOLY WHAT?

[ RINGER SOUNDS ] LONGMEADOW.

>> GRAIL.

>> GRAIL IS RIGHT.

THIS CABBAGE-LIKE VEGETABLE HAS CURLED LEAVES.

[ RINGER SOUNDS ] LONGMEADOW.

>> KALE.

>> KALE IS CORRECT.

IVY LEAGUE UNIVERSITY FOUND IN NEW HAVEN-- [ RINGER SOUNDS ] >> YALE.

>> LONGMEADOW, YALE IS CORRECT.

YOU CAN USE THIS DEVICE TO WEIGH YOURSELF.

[ RINGER SOUNDS ] MINNECHAUG.

>> SCALE.

>> SCALE, YES, THAT'S RIGHT.

ACCORDING TO HERMAN MELVILLE, MOBY DICK WAS ONE OF THESE.

[ RINGER SOUNDS ] LONGMEADOW.

>> WHALE.

>> WHALE IS CORRECT.

A CLOTH WORN BY A WOMAN AS A COVERING FOR THE HEAD.

[ RINGER SOUNDS ] LONGMEADOW.

>> VEIL.

>> VEIL IS THE RIGHT ANSWER.

TYPES OF THESE INCLUDE LATEEN AND FORE AND AFT.

[ BUZZER SOUNDS] >> SAIL IS THE RIGHT ANSWER.

NOT IN TIME.

SOMETHING WEAK OR FRAGILE.

[ RINGER SOUNDS ] LONGMEADOW.

>> FRAIL.

>> FRAIL IS RIGHT.

THE TEXTURE OR WEAVE OF A FABRIC.

[ RINGER SOUNDS ] LONGMEADOW.

>> VEIL AGAIN.

>> "WALE" IS THE RIGHT ANSWER THERE.

A LARGE BUNDLE OF HAY.

[ RINGER SOUNDS ] MINNECHAUG.

>> BALE.

>> BALE IS CORRECT.

A POSTAL WORKER DELIVERS THIS.

[ RINGER SOUNDS ] MINNECHAUG.

>> MAIL.

>> MAIL IS CORRECT.

COLORLESS OR WHITISH.

[ RINGER SOUNDS ] >> MINNECHAUG.

>> PALE.

>> PALE IS RIGHT.

SLANG TERM FOR A SLOW OR LAZY PERSON.

[ RINGER SOUNDS ] MINNECHAUG.

>> DALE.

>> "SNAIL" IS THE RIGHT ANSWER THERE.

AN INSTRUMENT FOR THRESHING GRAIN.

[ RINGER SOUNDS ] LONGMEADOW.

>> UH... [ BELL RINGS ] >> CORRECT ANSWER IS "FLAIL."

AND THAT BELL MARKS THE END OF OUR FIRST LIGHTNING ROUND.

LET'S MOVE ON NOW WITH OUR FIRST SEMIFINAL MATCH WITH THE CAPITALIZATION ROUND, WHERE TEAMS GET THE CHANCE TO PICK A CATEGORY AND A POINT VALUE.

THEY'LL NEED TO ANSWER A QUALIFYING QUESTION FIRST BEFORE THEY CAN CONTINUE ON FOR POINTS.

IF THEY FAIL TO ANSWER THAT QUALIFYING QUESTION CORRECTLY, THEIR OPPONENTS WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO CAPITALIZE AND GET THOSE POINTS.

ALL RIGHT, AS IT STANDS NOW, MINNECHAUG REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, YOU ARE BEHIND BUT NOT BY MUCH.

HOWEVER, THAT DOES MEAN YOU GET THE FIRST OPPORTUNITY TO PICK A CATEGORY AND A POINT VALUE.

WHAT'S IT GOING TO BE?

>> SOCIAL STUDIES FOR 30.

>> SOCIAL STUDIES FOR 30.

HERE'S YOUR QUALIFYING QUESTION.

TAKE A LOOK AT YOUR SCREEN FOR THIS ONE.

THIS CARVED WOOD FISH HANGS IN A CHAMBER OF THE MASSACHUSETTS HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AS A MEMORIAL TO THE IMPORTANCE OF THE NORTH ATLANTIC FISHING INDUSTRY OF THIS TYPE OF FISH.

WHAT FISH DOES THIS CARVING REPRESENT?

>> A TROUT?

>> I'M SORRY, THAT IS INCORRECT.

LONGMEADOW, CAN YOU CAPITALIZE?

>> COD?

>> YES, COD IS CORRECT.

LET'S MOVE ON.

THE COD IS THE STATE FISH OF MASSACHUSETTS.

THIS CATEGORY CONCERNS THREE STATE FISH THAT ARE ALSO IMPORTANT TO THE ECONOMIES OF THEIR RESPECTIVE STATES.

THESE ARE FOR TEN POINTS EACH.

ONCE AGAIN, LOOK AT YOUR SCREENS.

FIRST, THE GOLDEN TROUT, SHOWN HERE, WAS DESIGNATED AS THE STATE FISH OF WHAT U.S. STATE IN 1947?

WAS IT ALASKA, CALIFORNIA, OR FLORIDA?

>> CALIFORNIA.

>> CALIFORNIA, YES, THAT'S RIGHT.

THE LANDLOCKED SALMON, A SPECIES OF THE ATLANTIC SALMON, WAS DESIGNATED AS THE OFFICIAL FISH OF WHICH NEW ENGLAND STATE IN 1969: NEW HAMPSHIRE, MAINE, OR RHODE ISLAND?

>> NEW HAMPSHIRE?

>> I'M SORRY, CORRECT ANSWER THERE IS MAINE.

FINALLY, LET'S TRY THIS ONE.

A SMALL BUT POWERFUL FISH, THE GUADALUPE BASS IS NATIVE TO THE FAST-MOVING STREAMS IN THE CENTRAL HILL COUNTRY OF WHICH STATE?

THE GUADALUPE WAS DESIGNATED THE OFFICIAL FISH IN 1989.

WAS IT TEXAS, NEW MEXICO, OR ARIZONA?

>> NEW MEXICO?

>> CORRECT ANSWER THERE IS TEXAS.

ALL RIGHT, LONGMEADOW, YOUR TURN, FIRST TIME OF THE EVENING, TO PICK A CATEGORY AND A POINT VALUE.

>> GENERAL KNOWLEDGE FOR 30.

>> GENERAL KNOWLEDGE FOR 30.

HERE'S YOUR QUALIFYING QUESTION.

WE HAVE A VIDEO QUALIFIER FOR THIS ONE.

TAKE A LOOK AT YOUR SCREENS.

>> HI, I'M PETER SOKOLOWSKI, EDITOR AT LARGE FOR MERRIAM-WEBSTER DICTIONARY IN SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS, WITH YOUR QUALIFYING QUESTION.

THE LITERARY TERM "SOLILOQUY" IS DEFINED AS A LONG, USUALLY SERIOUS SPEECH THAT A CHARACTER IN A PLAY MAKES TO AN AUDIENCE AND THAT REVEALS THE CHARACTER'S THOUGHTS.

TO QUALIFY, SPELL THE WORD "SOLILOQUY."

>> S-O-L-I-L-O-Q-U-Y.

>> YES, THAT IS CORRECT, VERY NICE.

LET'S MOVE ON IN THIS CATEGORY.

MORE THEATRICAL SPELLING.

THESE ARE FOR TEN POINTS EACH.

HERE'S THE FIRST ONE.

LISTEN TO THIS SENTENCE.

A LUMINAIRE IS A TERM THAT CAN DESCRIBE A SPOTLIGHT OR FLOODLIGHT AIMED AT THE STAGE.

SPELL THE WORD "LUMINAIRE."

>> L-U-M-I-N-I-E-R-E. >> I'M SORRY, THAT IS INCORRECT.

SO CLOSE.

CORRECT SPELLING IS L-U-M-I-N-A-I-R-E. ALL RIGHT, LET'S MOVE ON TO THIS ONE.

CIRQUE DU SOLEIL SHOWS IN LAS VEGAS SOMETIMES USE CONTROLLED PYROTECHNICS IN THEIR SHOWS TO ADD EXCITEMENT.

PLEASE SPELL THE WORD "PYROTECHNICS."

>> P-Y-R-O-T-E-C-H-N-I-C-S. >> YES, THAT IS CORRECT.

ALL RIGHT, FINALLY, LET'S TRY THIS ONE.

A PERSON WHO CREATES THE COMPOSITION AND ARRANGEMENT OF DANCES FOR A BROADWAY MUSICAL IS CALLED A CHOREOGRAPHER.

SPELL THE WORD "CHOREOGRAPHER."

>> C-H-O-R-E-O-G-R-A-P-H-E-R. >> YES, YOU ARE CORRECT.

VERY NICE.

LET'S MOVE ON TO MINNECHAUG.

ONCE AGAIN, PLEASE PICK A CATEGORY AND A POINT VALUE.

>> ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT FOR 30.

>> ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT FOR 30.

HERE'S YOUR QUALIFYING QUESTION.

AH, YOU'VE PICKED THE WESTFIELD STATE UNIVERSITY ENTRANCE EXAM QUESTION.

ANSWER THE QUALIFIER AND ALL OF THE OTHER QUESTIONS CORRECTLY, YOUR TEAM WINS AN ADDITIONAL 10 POINTS.

ALL RIGHT, GOOD LUCK.

HERE WE GO WITH THE QUESTION.

TAKE A LOOK AT YOUR SCREENS FOR THIS.

NAME THE PBS KIDS MATH-CENTERED PROGRAM THAT FEATURED SUCH CHARACTERS AS MS. O, AGENT OTTO, AND AGENT OLIVE.

>> THE ODD SQUAD.

>> YES, THAT'S CORRECT.

ALL RIGHT, LET'S MOVE ON.

HERE ARE CLUES TO MORE CLASSIC PBS KIDS PROGRAMS.

LET'S SEE WHAT YOU REMEMBER.

THESE ARE FOR TEN POINTS EACH.

TAKE A LOOK AT YOUR SCREENS.

FIRST, THIS ANIMATED SHOW FEATURES SUCH FAMILIES AS TIGER FAMILY, OWL FAMILY, AND PRINCE FAMILY.

NAME THE SHOW.

>> DANIEL TIGER.

>> I'M SORRY, CORRECT ANSWER THERE IS DANIEL TIGER'S NEIGHBORHOOD IS THE FULL ANSWER THERE.

LET'S TRY THIS ONE.

THIS ANIMATED ADVENTURE SERIES WAS BASED ON THE BOOKS BY MARGRET AND H. A. REY.

>> CURIOUS GEORGE.

>> YES, THAT IS CORRECT.

ALL RIGHT, FINALLY, THIS PBS KIDS SHOW FEATURES BROTHERS CHRIS AND MARTIN AND IS DESIGNED TO EDUCATE CHILDREN ABOUT BIOLOGY, ZOOLOGY, AND ECOLOGY.

NAME THE SHOW.

>> WILD KRATTS.

>> WILD KRATTS, YES, THAT IS CORRECT.

ALL RIGHT, LONGMEADOW, ONCE AGAIN, YOUR TURN TO PICK A CATEGORY AND A POINT VALUE.

>> WE'RE GOING TO GO WITH MATH AND SCIENCE FOR 30.

>> MATH AND SCIENCE FOR 30.

HERE'S YOUR QUALIFYING QUESTION.

LISTEN VERY CAREFULLY.

GMOS ARE LIVING ENTITIES WHOSE DNA HAVE BEEN ARTIFICIALLY MANIPULATED.

WHAT DO THE INITIALS "GMO" STAND FOR IN THAT SENTENCE?

>> GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISMS.

>> YES, THAT IS CORRECT.

LET'S MOVE ON.

MORE ABOUT GMOS.

THESE ARE FOR TEN POINTS EACH.

FIRST, REGULATIONS REGARDING GMOS FALL UNDER THE JURISDICTION OF WHAT GOVERNMENT AGENCY?

>> DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

>> YES, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE IS CORRECT.

TRY THIS ONE.

MANY OF THE GMO CROPS GROWN IN THE UNITED STATES ARE GENETICALLY MODIFIED TO BE RESISTANT TO THE EFFECTS OF WHAT CLASS OF CHEMICALS MORE COMMONLY KNOWN AS WEED KILLERS?

>> PESTICIDES?

>> CORRECT ANSWER THERE IS HERBICIDES.

OKAY, FINALLY, LET'S TRY THIS ONE.

SOFT DRINK INGREDIENTS CAN BE DERIVED FROM GENETICALLY MODIFIED CORN, INCLUDING WHAT ARTIFICIAL SWEETENER WHOSE BRAND NAMES INCLUDE NUTRASWEET AND EQUAL?

>> HIGH-FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP.

>> CORRECT ANSWER THERE IS ASPARTAME.

>> ALL RIGHT, MINNECHAUG, ONCE AGAIN, IT'S YOUR TURN.

>> WORLD EVENTS FOR 30.

>> WORLD EVENTS FOR 30.

HERE'S YOUR QUALIFYING QUESTION.

OH, WE HAVE A VIDEO QUALIFIER ONCE AGAIN, SO TAKE A LOOK AT YOUR SCREEN.

>> I'M PROFESSOR BROOKE ORR FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY AT WESTFIELD STATE UNIVERSITY WITH YOUR QUALIFYING QUESTION.

ON APRIL 2ND, 1513, THIS SPANISH EXPLORER SIGHTED FLORIDA AND CLAIMED IT FOR THE SPANISH CROWN AFTER LANDING AT THE SITE OF PRESENT-DAY ST. AUGUSTINE.

TO QUALIFY, NAME THIS EXPLORER.

>> PONCE DE LEON.

>> YES, THAT'S CORRECT.

VERY NICE.

LET'S MOVE ON IN THIS CATEGORY.

MORE ABOUT EARLY EUROPEAN EXPLORERS IN THE NEW WORLD.

THESE ARE FOR TEN POINTS EACH.

TAKE A LOOK AT YOUR SCREEN ONCE AGAIN.

IN 1513, THIS SPANISH EXPLORER AND CONQUISTADOR CROSSED THE ISTHMUS OF PANAMA, BECOMING THE FIRST EUROPEAN TO LEAD AN EXPEDITION TO HAVE SEEN OR REACHED THE PACIFIC FROM THE NEW WORLD.

NAME HIM.

>> FRANCISCO PIZARRO.

>> I'M SORRY, CORRECT ANSWER IS VASCO BALBOA.

LET'S TRY THIS ONE.

IN 1534, WHILE THINKING HE HAD FOUND A WESTERN PASSAGE TO ASIA, THIS FRENCH EXPLORER ACTUALLY SAILED AROUND WHAT IS NOW CANADA'S GULF OF ST. LAWRENCE.

NAME HIM.

>> JACQUES CARTIER.

>> YES, THAT'S CORRECT.

FINALLY, IN 1539, THIS SPANISH EXPLORER LED THE FIRST EUROPEAN EXPEDITION THROUGH WHAT WOULD EVENTUALLY BECOME U.S. STATES OF FLORIDA, GEORGIA, ALABAMA, AND MISSISSIPPI.

NAME HIM.

>> FRANCISCO PIZARRO.

>> HERNANDO DE SOTO IS THE RIGHT ANSWER.

NICE TRY, THOUGH.

OKAY, LONGMEADOW, ONCE AGAIN, PICK A CATEGORY AND A POINT VALUE.

>> LITERATURE FOR 30.

>> LAST OF THE 30S.

LITERATURE FOR 30.

HERE'S YOUR QUALIFYING QUESTION.

TAKE A LOOK AT YOUR SCREENS FOR THIS.

IDENTIFY THE MYSTICAL PARADISE WHOSE NAME IS TRANSLATED AS "ISLE OF APPLES."

THIS IS WHERE, ACCORDING TO ARTHURIAN LEGEND, THE SWORD EXCALIBUR WAS FORGED AND KING ARTHUR WAS LAID TO REST.

>> CAMELOT?

>> I'M SORRY, THAT IS INCORRECT.

MINNECHAUG, CAN YOU CAPITALIZE?

>> VALHALLA?

>> AVALON IS THE RIGHT ANSWER.

LET'S MOVE ON WITH MINNECHAUG.

ONCE AGAIN, PICK A CATEGORY AND A POINT VALUE.

>> ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT FOR 25.

>> ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT FOR 25.

TO QUALIFY, TAKE A LOOK AT YOUR SCREENS.

FOUNDED IN 2002, THE TRIBECA FILM FESTIVAL IS HOSTED EACH YEAR IN WHAT U.S. CITY?

>> NEW YORK CITY.

>> YES, NEW YORK CITY IS CORRECT.

LET'S MOVE ON.

MORE ABOUT INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVALS.

THESE ARE FOR TEN POINTS EACH.

HERE'S THE FIRST ONE.

THE FILM LA LA LAND WON THE PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD IN 2016 AT THE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL HELD EACH SEPTEMBER IN WHAT CANADIAN CITY?

>> TORONTO.

>> TORONTO, YES, THAT'S RIGHT.

THE TELLURIDE FILM FESTIVAL BEGAN ITS ANNUAL RUN IN 1974.

IT'S HELD EACH YEAR OVER LABOR DAY WEEKEND.

IN WHAT U.S. STATE IS THE TELLURIDE FILM FESTIVAL HELD?

>> COLORADO.

>> COLORADO, YES, THAT'S RIGHT.

ALL RIGHT, FINALLY, THIS ONE'S FOR FIVE POINTS.

WHAT ANNUAL AMERICAN FILM FESTIVAL, THE LARGEST IN THE U.S., WAS STARTED IN UTAH IN 1978 BY ACTOR ROBERT REDFORD?

>> THE SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL.

>> YES, THAT'S CORRECT.

VERY NICE JOB.

LONGMEADOW, ONCE AGAIN, YOUR TURN.

>> MATH AND SCIENCE FOR 25.

>> MATH AND SCIENCE FOR 25.

TO QUALIFY, A CROW BAR IS AN EXAMPLE OF WHICH SIMPLE MACHINE?

IS IT A LEVER, AN INCLINED PLANE, OR A WEDGE?

>> WEDGE.

>> I'M SORRY, THAT IS INCORRECT.

MINNECHAUG, CAN YOU CAPITALIZE?

>> LEVER.

>> YES, THAT IS CORRECT.

LET'S MOVE ON IN THIS CATEGORY.

WHICH SIMPLE MACHINE IS EXEMPLIFIED BY EACH OF THE FOLLOWING COMMON OBJECTS?

FOR FIVE POINTS EACH, TAKE A LOOK AT YOUR SCREEN.

FIRST, A WHEELCHAIR RAMP.

>> INCLINED PLANE.

>> YES, THAT'S CORRECT.

TRY A LIGHT BULB.

>> SCREW.

>> YES, YOU'RE CORRECT.

HOW ABOUT A VERTICAL FLAGPOLE?

>> PULLEY.

>> PULLEY IS RIGHT.

FINALLY, THIS ONE'S FOR TEN POINTS.

SCISSORS ARE A COMBINATION OF WHICH TWO SIMPLE MACHINES?

>> LEVER AND WEDGE.

>> YES, WEDGES AND LEVERS IS THE CORRECT ANSWER.

AND THAT MARKS THE END OF OUR CAPITALIZATION ROUND.

LET'S TAKE A MINUTE NOW TO MEET THE TEAM FROM LONGMEADOW HIGH SCHOOL.

>> HI, I'M ABBY MCDONALD FROM WESTFIELD STATE UNIVERSITY AND AS SCHOOLS MATCH WITS.

WE ASKED THE TEAM FROM LONGMEADOW, WHAT HAS BEEN THE BEST PART OF YOUR AS SCHOOLS MATCH WITS EXPERIENCE?

>> I MEAN, FOR ME, THE BEST PART OF MY AS SCHOOLS MATCH WITS EXPERIENCE HAS BEEN JUST THE THRILL OF COMPETING AND GETTING TO USE, LIKE, ALL THE CRAZY TRIVIA KNOWLEDGE I'VE LEARNED FROM JEOPARDY!

AND ALL THIS OTHER STUFF FOR SOME USE.

AND SECOND WOULD BE ANSWERING ALL THESE QUESTIONS.

>> WELL, MY BEST PART OF THE AS SCHOOLS MATCH WITS EXPERIENCE IS PROBABLY GETTING TO JUST FIGHT ALONGSIDE GAVIN AND EDGAR FOR SUCH A LONG TIME, AND WE'VE REALLY JUST HAD SUCH A FUN TIME DOING THIS.

>> THE BEST PART OF THE EXPERIENCE, I'D SAY, HAS BEEN MEETING OTHER PEOPLE WHO THINK THAT THIS SORT OF THING IS FUN.

AND BEING ABLE TO WORK WITH AND AGAINST THEM HAS BEEN JUST A REALLY FUN THING.

[ ♪♪♪ ] >> WHAT A CLOSE MATCH WE HAVE GOING ON RIGHT NOW, SO LET'S MOVE ON TO THE FINAL LIGHTNING ROUND OF THE EVENING.

EACH TEAM WILL HAVE A CHANCE TO BUZZ IN AND ANSWER QUESTIONS FOR FIVE POINTS EACH.

BUZZ IN, ANSWER CORRECTLY, YOU WIN FIVE POINTS.

ANSWER INCORRECTLY, YOUR TEAM LOSES FIVE POINTS.

WELL, LET'S DO SOME SIGHTSEEING IN THIS ROUND.

TELL ME IN WHICH U.S. STATE YOU'LL FIND THESE TOURIST ATTRACTIONS.

ALL RIGHT, GOOD LUCK TO BOTH TEAMS.

YOU HAVE 90 SECONDS, STARTING RIGHT NOW.

WAIKIKI BEACH.

[ RINGER SOUNDS ] MINNECHAUG.

>> FLORIDA.

>> HAWAII IS THE RIGHT ANSWER.

THE FRENCH QUARTER.

[ RINGER SOUNDS ] LONGMEADOW.

>> LOUISIANA.

>> LOUISIANA IS CORRECT.

ACADIA NATIONAL PARK.

[ RINGER SOUNDS ] LONGMEADOW.

>> MAINE.

>> MAINE IS RIGHT.

THE HENRY FORD MUSEUM.

[ RINGER SOUNDS ] MICHIGAN-- MINNECHAUG.

LET'S MOVE ON.

SUN VALLEY SKI RESORT.

[ RINGER SOUNDS ] MINNECHAUG.

>> COLORADO.

>> IDAHO IS THE RIGHT ANSWER THERE.

ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK.

[ RINGER SOUNDS ] LONGMEADOW.

>> COLORADO.

>> COLORADO IS CORRECT.

HOT SPRINGS NATIONAL PARK.

[ RINGER SOUNDS ] MINNECHAUG.

>> COLORADO.

>> ARKANSAS IS THE RIGHT ANSWER.

TIMES SQUARE.

[ RINGER SOUNDS ] LONGMEADOW.

>> NEW YORK.

>> NEW YORK IS RIGHT.

FANEUIL HALL MARKETPLACE.

[ RINGER SOUNDS ] LONGMEADOW.

>> MASSACHUSETTS.

>> MASSACHUSETTS IS CORRECT.

WHITE MOUNTAIN NATIONAL FOREST.

[ RINGER SOUNDS ] LONGMEADOW.

>> NEW HAMPSHIRE.

>> NEW HAMPSHIRE IS RIGHT.

MT.

RUSHMORE NATIONAL MEMORIAL.

[ RINGER SOUNDS ] LONGMEADOW.

>> SOUTH DAKOTA.

>> SOUTH DAKOTA IS CORRECT.

THE MALL OF AMERICA.

[ RINGER SOUNDS ] MINNECHAUG.

>> MINNESOTA.

>> MINNESOTA IS RIGHT.

THE SPACE NEEDLE.

[ RINGER SOUNDS ] LONGMEADOW.

>> WASHINGTON.

>> WASHINGTON IS CORRECT.

LAKE MEAD NATIONAL RECREATION-- [ RINGER SOUNDS ] MINNECHAUG.

>> NEVADA.

>> NEVADA IS CORRECT.

FISHERMAN'S WHARF.

[ RINGER SOUNDS ] LONGMEADOW.

>> WASHINGTON.

>> CALIFORNIA IS THE RIGHT ANSWER THERE.

CONEY ISLAND.

[ RINGER SOUNDS ] MINNECHAUG.

>> NEW YORK.

>> NEW YORK IS RIGHT.

UNITED STATES SPACE AND ROCKET CENTER.

[ RINGER SOUNDS ] MINNECHAUG.

>> FLORIDA.

>> ALABAMA IS THE RIGHT ANSWER.

HAMMONASSET BEACH STATE PARK.

[ RINGER SOUNDS ] LONGMEADOW.

>> CONNECTICUT.

>> CONNECTICUT IS CORRECT.

GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK.

[ RINGER SOUNDS ] LONGMEADOW.

>> ARIZONA.

>> ARIZONA IS CORRECT.

STONE MOUNTAIN STATE PARK.

[ RINGER SOUNDS ] MINNECHAUG.

>> GEORGIA.

>> GEORGIA IS CORRECT.

[ BELL RINGS ] AH, AND THAT BELL MARKS THE END OF OUR LAST LIGHTNING ROUND.

IT ALSO MARKS THE END OF A VERY CLOSE FIRST SEMIFINAL MATCH.

WHAT A FANTASTIC WAY TO WRAP UP OUR FIRST SEMIFINAL MATCHUP OF THIS HISTORIC SEASON.

MINNECHAUG, GREAT JOB TONIGHT.

HOWEVER, DURING THAT LAST LIGHTNING ROUND, LONGMEADOW, YOU REALLY STEPPED IT UP A NOTCH.

AND YOU ARE THE WINNER FOR THIS EVENING.

WE WANT TO THANK BOTH TEAMS FOR A GREAT SEMIFINAL MATCHUP.

CONGRATULATIONS ONCE AGAIN TO LONGMEADOW.

YOU'LL BE ADVANCING TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH.

TO SEE THIS SEASON'S ROSTER AND FOR MORE INFORMATION, BE SURE TO LOG ON TO OUR WEB PAGE AT NEPM.ORG OR YOU CAN LOOK FOR US ON FACEBOOK.

I'M YOUR HOST, BETH WARD.

GOOD NIGHT, AND BE SURE TO TUNE IN AGAIN AS THE SEMIFINALS CONTINUE NEXT TIME ON AS SCHOOLS MATCH WITS.

>> THE MEMBERS OF THE MASSACHUSETTS TEACHERS ASSOCIATION ARE PROUD TO SUPPORT HIGH-QUALITY PROGRAMS ON PUBLIC TELEVISION.

THE MTA: WORKING FOR THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES OUR COMMUNITIES DESERVE.

LEARN MORE AT MASSTEACHER.ORG.

>> DO YOU WANT TO SEE WHEN YOUR SCHOOL'S MATCH IS SCHEDULED?

WANT TO KNOW WHO THE PAST ASMW CHAMPIONS ARE?

HAVE A QUESTION YOU'D LIKE TO SEE US ASK?

THEN LOG ON TO THE AS SCHOOLS MATCH WITS WEB PAGE AT NEPM.ORG.

YOU CAN SEE THIS SEASON'S ROSTER, A LISTING OF PAST ASMW CHAMPIONS, AND EVEN SUBMIT A QUESTION OF YOUR OWN WHICH MAY BE USED IN A FUTURE EPISODE.

IT'S ALL JUST A MOUSE CLICK AWAY.

[ ♪♪♪ ]