-Students from Montgomery Blair, Richard Montgomery, Whitman, meet today on "It's Academic".

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

-Hello, everybody.

I'm Hillary Howard.

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.

-So glad you're with us for our second semifinal match.

All of these teams are so good.

We're going to jump right in with Fast Start.

All questions in this round, as you know, are worth ten points up or down.

First team to buzz in gets to answer.

And for you viewers at home, the students don't see what you do on your screen.

So let's go.

"The I's Have It".

In this round, all answers must be words with two I's as the only vowel.

Blair.

-Innings.

-Yes.

[ Buzzer ] Montgomery.

-Civil.

-Answer.

Civil.

Yes.

The capital of this South Pacific country is -- Montgomery Blair.

-Fiji.

-Yeah.

Richard Montgomery.

-Chitin?

-Yeah.

Whitman.

-"Beware the..." -Answer.

3, 2, 1.

-"I".

-Nope.

"Brillig".

Montgomery.

-Philippics.

-Yes.

Blair.

-It's griffin?

-Answer.

-Griffin.

-Yeah.

These hot peppers name a spicy food containing -- Whitman?

-Chili.

-Chili is right.

And that is the end of the Fast Start.

Alright.

We're going to recap these scores.

Montgomery Blair -- 130 points, Richard Montgomery -- 130 points, and Whitman -- 100 points.

[ Applause ] -Alright, Let's follow up our Fast Start with the Mix & Match round.

In this round, each team will have an opportunity to answer five questions.

Questions are worth 20 points apiece.

There are no penalties, guys, so feel free to take a chance.

But before our first question, of course, we want to meet the teams.

And we begin with you, Montgomery Blair.

How are you doing, William?

-Hi, I'm good.

-Good.

Tell us what you're up to.

-I'm a senior at Montgomery Blair, and for personal stuff, I'd like to thank our proud principal, Mrs. Renay Johnson, and the rest of our administration for their continued support of this club.

-Awesome.

Hiya, Henry.

-Hiya.

How are you doing?

-I'm good.

What's happening?

-I get to be on "It's Academic", so feeling pretty good.

-For a semifinal.

That's good.

You doing anything special these days?

-I just came back from Canada.

-Lovely.

What province?

-Ontario.

-Very nice.

Well, it's good to have you, Henry.

And hello, Jacen.

-Hello.

-Tell me about yourself.

-I don't know.

I've been sleeping a lot recently.

-[ Laughs ] I wish I had that luxury.

Alright, guys, let's do this, huh?

Here's your first question.

"Oxen Only Graze".

hidden within this animal phrase is the name of what Noble Gas, whose atomic number is 54?

-Xenon.

-Xenon is right.

-Prevaricate.

Prosecute.

Procrastinate.

If, as the story goes, George Washington would never tell a lie, then he never did which of these?

-Prevaricate.

-Correct.

The Greek letter nu begins the name of what German city that saw war crimes trials held following World War II?

-Nuremberg?

-Yeah.

Webb Telescope.

Explorer 1 Satellite.

Challenger.

The existence of the Van Allen radiation belt surrounding Earth was confirmed in 1958 by which of these?

-Explorer 1?

-You've got it.

"The power to tax involves the power to destroy."

These words are found in Chief Justice John Marshall's 1819 decision in the case of what man against the State of Maryland?

-Marbury.

-No, that's Marbury v Madison.

McCulloch.

-McCulloch.

-McCulloch is right.

Well done, Montgomery Blair.

230 points.

[ Applause ] Now a team two -- Richard Montgomery High School.

Hey, Josh, tell us about yourself.

-I'm Josh.

I'm a junior at RM.

I'm happy to be here.

-We're very happy to have you here.

Hiya, Vincent.

-I'm Vincent.

I'm a senior at RM., and I'm happy to be here, too.

-We're also happy to have you.

And, Rachel, we're happy to have you as well.

Anything else you'd like to add on?

-Well, I'd like to tell you what I've been reading.

I've been reading "The Vegetarian" by Han Kang.

I've been enjoying it.

- Wonderful.

Well, we're very happy to have you here.

And I've got a question for you three students.

Here we go.

"A Parasol Arrives".

You can arrive at 20 points if you find here the hidden name of what type of energy that is not a fossil fuel?

-Solar?

-Yeah.

Confirming them.

Rejecting them.

Publicizing them.

If one scientists were to corroborate another's findings, he or she would be taking which of these actions?

-Confirming them?

-Yes.

All the vowels are missing here in the name of what American science fiction author who wrote or edited over 500 books?

-Asimov?

-Yeah.

Canary Islands.

Hebrides Islands.

Leeward Antilles.

A tourist on the round the world trip would be closest to Scotland in which of these island chains?

-Hebrides.

-Correct.

Discovered, captured, and hanged without trial."

This summed up the fate of what schoolteacher hanged as a spy during the American Revolution after regretting that he had but one life to lose for his country?

-Hale.

-Yeah.

Nathan Hale.

Well done, Richard Montgomery.

220 points.

[ Applause ] And now team three from Whitman High School in Bethesda.

Hiya, Jonathan.

-Hey, Hillary.

I'm Jonathan Kevorkian.

I'm a senior, and I'd love to thank our wonderful coach, Miss Fus, as well as our principal, Dr. Dodd, for being here today.

-Wonderful.

It's great to have you here.

Hi, Kabir.

-Hi, I'm Kabir Broker.

I'm also a senior, and I would like to thank our fantastic teammates and our alternate in particular for helping get us ready for today.

-Great.

And Jayden.

-Hi, Hillary.

I'm Jayden Ku, and I'd like to thank David Rubenstein for inspiring us to make a difference, to get involved and to read and to learn.

-Yeah, he sets a good example.

Alright, let's do this.

"Last At Inert.

See if you can be the first to discover in this phrase the hidden name of which one of the halogen elements?

-Astatine.

-Yeah.

A pirate.

A farmer.

An angel.

A person who came to a masquerade party dressed as a cherub would be costumed as Which of these?

-An angel.

-An angel.

Only these two vowels are in the name of what European peninsula on which you find Bosnia and Serbia?

-Balkan?

-Yeah.

George Mallory.

Ernest Shackleton.

William Baffin.

Of these three men, which one disappeared on Mount Everest in 1924 after saying he wished to climb Everest because it was there?

-Probably Mallory.

-Mallory?

-Mallory is right.

"Like a vengeful dagger that was dipped in blood."

Novelist D.H. Lawrence wrote this description of what mountain where Moses received the Ten Commandments?

-Sinai?

-Sinai is right.

Whitman -- 200 points.

And that is it for the Mix & Match round.

Picture Perfect coming up next.

So stay where you are.

-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 meet the coaches who helped these students prepare for "It's Academic".

We begin with you, Montgomery Blair.

Henry, who's with you?

-This is our sponsor, Mr. Rada.

He's a freshman English teacher in the communication arts program here at Montgomery Blair.

-Good to see you.

Thanks for being here.

Hello, Richard Montgomery, ,and Vincent, who's with you?

-This is Mr. Mason, and he is a history teacher and our coach.

-Hello, Mr. Mason.

Good to have you.

And finally from Whitman.

Kabir, the couple behind you.

-So we have Miss Fus, our sponsor, and Dr. Dodd, our principal.

-Alright.

Really great to see you guys.

Now, of course, before we begin this Picture Perfect round, we're going to recap the scores for you.

And we're going to begin with Montgomery Blair, with 230 points, Richard Montgomery -- 220 points, and Whitman -- 200 points.

[ Applause ] Now it is the Picture Perfect round.

First team to buzz in gets to answer.

Questions are worth 20 points up or down, so be careful.

Here's the first picture.

This pendant was created in the 4th century BC by artisans of what ancient seafaring people who founded -- Montgomery.

Pardon me?

-The Phoenicians?

-Yes, you're right.

Who founded Carthage.

Do not go gentle into that good night.

Montgomery.

-Dylan Thomas.

-Answer?

-Dylan Thomas.

-Dylan Thomas is right.

Nice jump.

Turkey's Manavgat River has its source in what mountain range sharing its name with the zodiac sign of -- Montgomery.

In three, two, one.

The answer is Taurus Mountains.

What is the smallest value of X needed so that the product shown will be a whole number?

Blair.

Answer?

In three -- -3?

-3.

Yes.

This was the crown of Martin I, king of both Sicily and what Spanish -- Blair.

Answer?

-Aragon.

-Yeah.

Aragon.

Which of these is a hormone produced by the -- Whitman.

-ACTH.

-Yeah.

Medusa, who is depicted in this ancient mosaic, was eventually slain by what -- Whitman.

-Perseus?

-Perseus is right.

And that is the end of that round.

Great job, everybody.

[ Applause ] So we have reached halftime, which means it's time for the Packet round.

Questions are worth 20 points each.

Nothing off for a wrong answer, which is really nice, and you know the drill.

If you get all of these questions correct, there's a 25 point bonus, which is always really nice to have.

So we begin with Montgomery Blair.

Richard Montgomery, we have three choices -- 1, 2, or 3.

Which packet should they answer questions from?

-2.

-2.

You got it.

Blair, in 1964, a special zip code -- 20252 -- was established for what bear, who received 13,000 letters a week as a symbol of prevention of wildfires?

-Smokey the Bear.

-Smokey the Bear.

Yes.

In 2001, the wreckage of a Civil War submarine was found along the coast of what Central American country that is also an isthmus?

-Panama.

-Panama is right.

When the French explored Louisiana, they found Native American territory separated by a red stick, and as a result, they gave what French name to Louisiana's capital city?

-Baton Rouge?

-Baton Rouge.

Yes.

Here's your science question.

Nitrogen, oxygen, water vapor.

Which of these is the part of air that varies most in its partial pressure from day to day?

-Water vapor?

-Water vapor is correct.

To amplify their mating calls and attract females, frogs sit inside storm drains in what island that was once known as Formosa?

-Taiwan.

Taiwan?

-Taiwan is right.

Before becoming president, John F. Kennedy wrote what Pulitzer Prize winning book about eight US senators who took unpopular stands?

-"Profiles in Courage"?

-"Profiles in Courage" is correct.

Here is your math question.

Evaluate this expression taking positive roots and giving your answer as an integer.

-36?

-Yes.

36.

And now we have your guest questioner.

It's former Virginia governor and current US Senator Tim Kaine.

-Chocoholics should note that much of the world's chocolate comes from what African country, whose capitals are Abidjan and Yamoussoukro?

-And your answer is?

-Yamoussoukro is...Cameroon.

-Cameroon?

-No, it's Ivory Coast.

But you did a great job.

Montgomery Blair.

410 points.

[ Applause ] Alright, Richard Montgomery, you're up.

Whitman, packet 1 or 3?

-3.

-3.

-Alright, Whitman.

Here we go.

No one knows what time it was when Edgar Allan Poe wrote what famous poem about a spooky visitor who chose Midnight to arrive and say, "Nevermore"?

-"The Raven".

-"The Raven".

Yes.

In 2004, the Illinois legislature apologized for the 19th century persecution of what religious group led by Joseph Smith and Brigham Young?

-Mormons?

-Yes.

In 1867, Congress admitted, over Andrew Johnson's veto, what 37th state, which along with Kansas, had been the subject of an 1854 congressional act?

-Nebraska.

-Nebraska Act is right.

Here's your science question.

Alveoli.

Duodenum.

Coelom.

Which of these terms refers to the microscopic cavities that are functional units in the lungs?

-The first.

Alveoli.

-Alveoli is right.

"My luck came in through an open lab window", said Alexander Fleming, after he accidentally discovered what important antibiotic originally derived from mold?

-Penicillin.

-Penicillin.

Yes.

When Oscar Wilde said "He hasn't an enemy in the world and none of his friends like him," he was referring to what author of "Major Barbara" and "Pygmalion"?

-Shaw.

-Shaw.

Yes.

Here's your math question.

Solve for X.

-28.

28.

-28.

And here is your guest questioner, Amna Nawaz, co-anchor of the "PBS NewsHour".

-The largest landlocked country in the world is what Eurasian nation, whose capital is Astana?

-And the answer is?

-Kazakhstan.

-Kazakhstan is right.

Nice job.

And a 25 point bonus for Richard Montgomery.

Well done, guys.

[ Applause ] -And that leaves Packet 1 for you, Whitman.

First question.

In 1917, US citizenship was granted to residents of what Caribbean Island, now a US Commonwealth?

-Puerto Rico?

-Virgin Islands.

-Virgin Islands.

-Puerto Rico?

-Yeah, that's it.

-In 1990, Carnegie Mellon became the first US university to offer musicians a major in what national wind instrument of Scotland?

-Bagpipes.

-That was a loud class.

I'll tell you what.

In the early 20th century, what monk gained great power in Russia because of his apparent ability to control the hemophilia of the czar's son?

-Rasputin.

-Yeah.

Here's your science question.

Arcturus.

Rigel.

Alpha Centauri.

Excluding the sun, which of these is the nearest star system to Earth?

-Alpha Centauri.

-Yeah, you're right.

In 1859, because of a dispute over a pig, five British warships and 100 US soldiers were dispatched to an island near what westernmost Canadian province?

-Um... What is it?

Yukon?

-Yukon?

-No, British Columbia.

What was the one word name of the bell ringer in the Victor Hugo tale "The Hunchback of Notre Dame"?

-Quasimodo.

-Yeah.

Here's your math question.

Evaluate this expression when X equals four, taking positive roots and giving your answer as an integer.

-11.

-Yes.

-And now your guest questioner.

It's Geoff Bennett, co-anchor of the "PBS NewsHour".

-The Kalahari Desert makes up much of the land area of what African country whose capital is Gaborone?

-And your answer is?

-Gabon?

-Botswana.

But you did a great job, Whitman.

360 points.

-That's it for the Packet Round.

Grab Bag is next.

But first, we have something interesting for you to chew on.

-Hello, I'm David Rubenstein.

Did you know the name Jeep comes from GP, the Army's abbreviation for general purpose?

As for the term GI, World War II soldiers sarcastically called themselves that, a play on the Army term "government issue".

A 1941 comic strip called "G.I.

Joe" made the term a permanent part of our language.

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

[ Applause ] -Well, it's time for the Grab Bag round, but before we begin, let's recap those scores.

Montgomery Blair -- 410 points.

Richard Montgomery -- 425 points.

Whitman -- 360 points.

[ Applause ] Alright.

It is time for the Grab Bag round, and in this round, really, anything can happen.

All questions are worth 20 points up or down.

First team to buzz in gets to answer.

Let's go.

Please take the time to read "Astrophysics For People in a Hurry" -- Whitman.

-Tyson.

-Yes.

"Dispatches from a Vanishing World" is the subtitle of a book about life on what third largest island?

Blair.

-Borneo.

-Borneo.

-Borneo is correct.

In 1943, Franklin Roosevelt met with Winston Churchill -- Whitman.

Answer?

-Malta -Casablanca.

On your screens for 20 points.

This 18th century woman was painted by what same English artist who painted "The Blue Boy"?

Whitman.

-Gainsborough?

-Yeah.

Gainsborough In the drought-filled years of the early 1930, the Great Plains acquired what grimy -- Whitman.

-Dust Bowl?

-Dust Bowl is right.

In terms of pi, express 90 degrees -- Whitman.

-Pi over 2.

-Pi over 2 is right.

No bird flies high enough to reach the constellation Cygnus, which represents what?

Richard Montgomery.

-Swan.

-Swan is it.

On your screens for 20 points.

-Enigma.

Enigma?

-Enigma is right.

Nice jump, Whitman.

An ancient Greek who wanted a favor from the goddess Hecate, he would have offered her what sweet substance found in an apiary -- Whitman.

Answer?

-Honey.

-Yeah.

Choice.

Which of these is not necessary in a Leyden jar?

Metallic foil, water, or a conducting rod.

Whitman.

-Water?

-Yeah.

Several years after the arrival of Lafayette, what French general -- Whitman.

Answer in three, two, one.

It's Rochambeau.

On your screens for 20 points.

Alligators and crocodiles swallow -- Whitman.

Answer.

Three, two -- -Eggs.

Gizzard is what we're looking for.

The Roman General Scipio was given what -- Whitman.

-Africanus.

-Correct.

If two numbers are relatively prime to each other, what is their greatest -- Blair.

-1.

-1 is right.

Modern economists still quote what 16th century British -- Blair.

Answer.

3, 2, 1.

Gresham.

Archimedes designed a giant claw to lift enemy ships out of the -- Blair.

-Syracuse.

-Yeah, you got it.

Beginning in 1912, automobiles were equipped as a standard feature with what device -- Whitman.

Answer.

3, 2 -- -Brake?

-Nope.

Odometer.

A ship called the Seamew -- [ Buzzer ] And that is the end of the game.

[ Applause ] We'll be back in a minute with official scores.

But first, let's hear a word from one of our students about getting involved in your community.

-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, everyone.

My name is Linda Huang, and I'm a current junior at Montgomery Blair High School.

I volunteer with two organizations.

One is the Adventist Shady Grove Healthcare Hospital, where I assist patients and nurses, and the other one is the Chinese Culture and Community Service Center, where I teach seniors English, help them better adjust to American life, and spread Asian heritage and culture by playing my violin in senior homes.

I really hope that everyone can contribute to the community because there are a lot of people who are in need and you can make a difference and also grow professionally and personally.

-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 ] -The scores are now official.

But before I tell you what the scores are, I want to say that these are three extraordinarily talented and knowledgeable teams, and it was ridiculously close.

So let's look at the scores, shall we?

First, Whitman High School from Bethesda, Maryland, Jonathan, Kabir, Jayden, 440 points.

Let's hear it for them.

Whoo-whoo.

[ Applause ] From Richard Montgomery High School in Rockville, we've got Josh, Vincent, and Rachel getting their 25 point bonus and a score of 445 points.

[ Applause ] And coming back for the big championship match, Montgomery Blair High School, William, Henry, and Jacen -- 450 points.

[ Applause ] This was a really good competition, guys.

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

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

-Next time, please be with us when we've got Blake, McLean, and Thomas Jefferson high schools competing right after another semifinal match.

It'll be good.

I'm Hillary Howard.

See you then.

Everybody, come on down and say hi to your students.

[ Applause ] ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪