-Students from North Point... Osbourn Park...

Independence... meet today on "It's Academic."

♪♪ ♪♪ [ 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.

♪♪ -So glad you're with us as we jump into the Fast Start, where questions are worth 10 points up or down.

First team to buzz in gets to answer.

Contestants don't see what you do on the screens at home.

Let's do this.

All questions in this round will have something to do with storms or the word "storm."

2005, this violent hurricane almost destroyed -- Yes, Osbourn Park.

-Katrina?

-Yep.

Katrina is the right answer.

Osbourn Park.

-Winston Churchill.

-Yeah.

Winston Churchill.

Osbourn Park.

-Jupiter.

-Jupiter it is.

Anybody?

Sebastian Junger.

It's quite the tale.

Yes, Osbourn Park.

-Iowa.

-Iowa it is.

The answer is G.R.R.

Martin.

The Hurricanes play football for the University of this -- Yeah, Independence.

-Miami.

-Miami is right.

And we have one more for you.

Yeah, Osbourn Park.

-Cape Town?

-No.

Good Hope.

Cape of Good Hope.

And that does it for the Fast Start round.

[ Applause ] Let's recap the scores.

We have North Point with 100 points.

Osbourn Park, 130 points.

Independence, 110 points.

Mix & Match round is next.

But before we do the questions, let's meet the teams.

We begin with North Point High School from Waldorf, Maryland.

Hey, Addyson.

Tell us about yourself.

-Hello, I'm Addyson Jordan.

I'm in a CTE program Drafting Design, North Point.

I'm a senior.

-Wonderful.

Great to have you here.

-Thank you.

-Zena, how about you?

-Hi, I'm Zena Brantuo.

I'm from North Point High School.

I'm in the Academy of Health Professions program, and I play tennis on my free time.

-Awesome.

Hiya, Jeremiah.

-Hi, my name is Jeremiah Seger.

I also am in the Drafting Design program, and after high school, I hope to study architecture.

-Beautiful.

All right, guys, I have some questions for you.

So, here we go.

Instead of worrying about ibex herds, please find hidden in this phrase what long curved bone, a number of which surround your chest cavity.

Yeah.

You can just tell me the answer.

It is... -The ribs.

-Ribs.

Yeah.

That's it.

Which of these words best describes someone who is frugal?

-Thrifty.

-Thrifty is right.

By rearranging the letters in this phrase, you can name what Protestant religious movement begun in the 16th century by Martin Luther.

And the answer is... Reformation.

When ancient Greeks visited the oracle at Delphi, they found themselves in the shadow of which of these mountains?

-Mt.

Parnassus.

-Yeah, you got it.

This is a quote from what man who collaborated with Karl Marx in writing "The Communist Manifesto".

-Friedrich Engels.

-Yeah.

Very nicely done, North Point.

180 points.

Good job.

And now we move on to Osbourn Park.

Team two, Osbourn Park from Manassas, Virginia.

Erin.

Hey.

How you doing?

-Hello.

My name is Erin Williams, and I'm a senior at Osbourn Park High School.

I'm obviously -- I'm in our academic team, and I'm also -- I play viola in our orchestra.

-Lovely.

Hello, George.

-Hi, I'm George Tamakloe.

I'm a senior at Osbourn Park High School, and in my free time, I run track and cross country and I play bass in our orchestra.

-All right.

Good to see you.

And, Skye, how about you?

-Hi, I'm Skye Auger.

I'm a senior at Osbourn Park High School, and in my spare time, I do FRC robotics and dance.

-All right, guys, here we go.

You'll get 20 points if you can find here the name of what ocean where Madagascar is located?

-Indian.

-Correct.

If someone admired your fortitude, they'd be complimenting you on which of these?

-Courage?

-Correct.

Rearrange these letters and you'll name what 19th century war named for a Black Sea peninsula.

-Oh.

It's Crimean.

-Crimean.

-Yeah.

Which of these Native American tribes belonged to the Iroquois Confederation?

-Mohawk.

-Mohawk is right.

With these words, a 19th century British prime minister dismissed plans to build a tunnel under what body of water separating Britain from France?

-The English Channel.

-English Channel is right.

All right.

Way to do it.

Osbourn Park, 230 points!

And now, of course, we get to meet the team from Independence High School in Brambleton, Virginia.

Hey, Ethan, what's going on with you?

-Hi, I'm Ethan Mouw.

I'm from Independence High School, and I'm a junior.

I'm currently in Boy Scouts, and I also play the clarinet in the marching band.

-Awesome.

Hi, Gabbi.

-Hi.

I'm Gabbi Pritchett.

I'm a senior at Independence High School.

In my spare time, I'm a basketball coach and a basketball referee.

-Oh, wonderful.

And, Ava.

-Hello, I'm Ava Turicchi.

I'm a junior at Independence this year, and I'm on our unified sports team.

-All right, guys, I was so eager to ask these questions, I almost forgot to, like, talk to you, but, hey, here's the first question.

Before you eat, see if you can find in this phrase the hidden name of what measurement system that includes kilograms and liters.

-Metric.

-Yeah.

Which of these terms would best describe an organization that is defunct?

-Out of existence.

-Out of existence.

-Yeah.

Don't nag.

Just rearrange the letters in this phrase to name what Spanish kingdom linked to Castile by the marriage of Ferdinand and Isabella?

-Aragon.

-Yeah.

During the Civil War, which of these women became the first female surgeon in the Union Army and received the Medal of Honor?

[ Indistinct whispering ] -Mary Walker.

-Mary Walker is right.

This statement was considered shocking when it was written by what 18th century pamphleteer, the author of "Common Sense" and "The Crisis"?

-Thomas Paine.

-Thomas Paine is right.

Nicely done, Independence.

210 points.

And that is it for the Mix & Match round.

We hope you like pictures because Picture Perfect is coming at you next.

[ 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.

-All right, viewers, it's your turn to answer.

The answer is because it's pink and because it eats other jellyfish, up to 34 at once.

Now that's mean.

And by the way, did you know scientists once fed some jellyfish peanut butter?

Because they wanted to create a peanut butter jelly.

It's true.

That's what happens when you leave scientists alone in the lab too long.

Back to the game.

♪♪ [ Applause ] All right.

We've got the Picture Perfect round.

Questions in this round are worth 20 points up or down.

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

First question.

This artwork is from what ancient Greek city-state noted for its harsh military training.

Yes, Osbourn Park.

Answer.

-Sparta.

-Yes.

Located in Quebec, this is an early painting of what largest French-speaking city in that province?

Yeah.

Osbourn Park.

-Quebec.

-Montreal.

Here you see a yurt, the traditional home in what Asian country?

Yes, Independence.

-Mongolia.

-Correct, Ethan.

Of these decimal expressions, which one has the greatest value?

Yes, Osbourn Park.

-The first one, 0.3.

-Correct.

Bituminous coal contains less carbon and is of lower quality than what "A"-initialed coal?

Anybody?

The answer is anthracite.

These were the words of what author whose science-fiction works include "I, Robot" and "Foundation's Edge".

Anybody?

Yeah, Osbourn Park.

-Asimov.

-Yeah!

Nicely done, Erin.

Good job.

This artwork is part of the legacy of what ancient seafaring people who founded -- Yes, Independence.

-The Phoenicians.

-You are right.

Great round, everybody.

Let's recap the scores.

North Point, 180 points.

Osbourn Park, 270 points.

Independence, 250 points.

As you know, the students here on "It's Academic" don't do this alone.

They've got a whole team behind the team helping them.

So let's meet these coaches.

We begin with North Point High School.

Zena, tell us who's with you.

-We have Ms. Rochlinsky and Mrs. Dickerson.

-Wonderful.

It's great to have you guys.

Osbourn Park.

George, tell us about your team.

-We're here with our coach, Mr. Barber, and our teammates and alternates.

-Awesome.

And finally, Independence.

Gabbi, how about you guys?

-We're here with Dr. Miller, who's our sponsor.

-Okay, now that we've met everybody, we've got a Packet round to do.

And here's how it's going to work.

North Point gets to answer questions first.

Osbourn Park gets to choose the envelope they answer questions from.

Number one, number two, or number three.

-Three.

-Three it is.

One of the first heroes of the Civil War was John Hart, the soldier who retrieved the American flag from what South Carolina fort bombarded by Confederate forces in April 1861.

-Sumter?

-Yep, you've got it.

The Greek god Zeus, who was known to hold a grudge, condemned what Titan to spend forever holding up the heavens on his shoulders.

[ Indistinct whispering ] Answer?

-Kronos.

-No.

It's Atlas.

Here's your science question.

What halogen is used to test for starches as it turns the starch-containing substance a deep blue-black?

[ Indistinct whispering ] Answer?

-Iodine?

-Yeah.

That's it.

Thanks to DNA, scientists have now identified the remains of what 16th century Polish astronomer noted for his heliocentric theory?

-Galileo.

-It's Copernicus.

What Danish writer, who was nicknamed "Stork," wrote about fictional birds in such stories as "The Ugly Duckling"?

It is Hans Christian Andersen.

Here's your math question.

Solve for x.

-10.

-Yeah.

When Napoleon invaded Russia in 1812, American diplomats there included what man who would become our sixth president.

And the answer is... John Quincy Adams.

North Point, 260 points.

[ Applause ] And now Osbourn Park gets to answer some questions and Independence gets to choose which packet they will answer questions from.

Packet number one or packet number two.

-Two.

-Two.

All right.

What drink, usually taken with milk or lemon, was mixed with salt water when Bostonians threw it overboard in 1773 in an anti-British protest?

-Tea.

-Yeah.

"Its face, though worn and broken, is mild," wrote one visitor about what huge stone statue that the ancient Egyptians built near the pyramids.

[ Indistinct whispering ] -The Sphinx.

-Yes, it was.

Here's your science question.

Which one of these devices is capable of converting electrical energy into mechanical energy?

[ Indistinct whispering ] -Electric motor.

-Yeah.

UB313, a distant object in the Kuiper Belt, reflects more light than anything else in our solar system, except for a moon orbiting what sixth planet?

[ Indistinct whispering ] -Saturn.

-Yeah.

Poetry lovers gave a warm welcome to a Robert Frost poem titled "Fire and" what cold substance?

-Ice.

-Ice it is.

Here's your math question.

100 millimeters is approximately equal to which of these?

Answer?

-Four inches.

-Correct.

In gratitude for his food relief work during World War I, Belgium presented a symbolic sack of flour to what man who later became our 31st president?

-Herbert Hoover.

-Herbert Hoover.

And with that answer, Osbourn, you got a 25-point bonus.

Way to go.

Nicely done.

And now, of course, we have packet number one for Independence.

When French constitutional delegates met in 1789, they took an oath named for what sort of athletic court where Coco Gauff would feel at home?

-Tennis.

-Yeah.

Devil's Den is not in hell.

It's at what Pennsylvania site where a hellish Civil War battle took place in July 1863?

-Gettysburg?

-Yes.

Here's your science question.

In the Lewis system, an acid is a substance which does which of these things?

[ Indistinct whispering ] -Donates electrons.

-No.

Accepts electrons.

A book called "Misery" brought happiness to fans of what modern author of horror stories like "The Stand" and "The Green Mile"?

The answer is... Stephen King.

The Dasht-e Kavir is a 400-mile-long salt flat in what Islamic Republic whose capital is Tehran?

[ Indistinct whispering ] -[ Whispers ] Iran.

[ Normal voice ] Iran.

[ Laughter ] -That's right.

And remember, you can speak up.

It's okay.

No need to whisper.

Here's your math question.

If x equals three, what is the value of this expression?

[ Indistinct whispering ] -20.

-Yeah.

Hollywood Cemetery in Virginia, not California, is the burial spot of what fifth U.S. president?

-Monroe.

-James Monroe is right.

Nicely done, Independence.

350 points.

Stick around.

We have the Grab Bag round coming up next where anything can happen.

♪♪ Hey, here's a question for you.

The answer is a prickle.

Our teams would know that.

-Hello, I'm David Rubenstein.

Did you know that Alexander Graham Bell and Thomas Edison disagreed as to whether people should say "ahoy" or "hello" when answering the phone?

As you know, Edison's greeting won out.

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

-Now, this question is for you, our viewing audience.

It is the humble chicken.

Think about that next time you chew on a drumstick.

Back to the teams.

♪♪ [ Applause ] -All right, we've reached the Grab Bag round where really anything can happen.

Questions are worth 20 points up or down.

First team to buzz in gets to answer.

Are you ready?

Yes.

Okay, here we go.

A lion, in order to remain king of beasts, would need what majestic quality that can also mean a whole pack?

Independence?

-Pride.

-Yeah.

There wasn't much love lost between Winston Churchill and what World War II French general who later became president of France?

Osbourn Park.

-De Gaulle.

-Correct.

Choice.

What instrument is used to identify the characteristic band of colors seen by heating the vapor of an element?

Spectroscope, fluorometer, or terrascope?

And the answer is -- Yes, Independence?

-Spectroscope.

-Yes.

Correct.

Check your monitors.

Video nights are not what most tourists are looking for when they travel to Kathmandu, the capital of what small Himalayan country?

Yes, Osbourn Park.

-Nepal.

-Correct.

After 1685, many French Huguenots came to America after what edict that had protected them -- Osbourn Park.

-Nantes.

-Yeah.

Nice.

Choice.

From which gland in the body is insulin secreted?

Yes, North Point?

-Pituitary.

-No.

Pancreas, but a "P".

The type of apple called Royal Gala originated in 1934 in what South Pacific country where Wellington is capital?

Osbourn Park.

-New Zealand.

-New Zealand is right.

On your monitors.

This was the opinion of what European writer who changed his character, Gregor Samsa, into an insect in -- Yes, Osbourn Park.

-Kafka?

-Yeah, Kafka.

In "The Metamorphosis".

India's Mohandas Gandhi had a great soul, which is the meaning of what title by which he was universally known?

Yes, North Point.

-Father.

-Mahatma.

Mahatma Gandhi.

Each interior angle has what number of degrees in a regular dodecagon?

Independence.

-36.

-No.

150.

In his 20s, when he first traveled to Antarctica, what Norwegian explorer later returned at age 39 and became the first man to reach the South Pole?

The answer is Roald Amundsen.

On your monitors.

The son of a Tory who had remained loyal to England, this is what Virginia statesman who became the first U.S. Attorney General?

Independence.

Answer in three, two, one.

Edmund J. Randolph.

Barbados pictures on its flag what sort of multi-pronged spear that was carried by -- Independence.

-Trident.

-Correct.

Choice.

If the voltage in an electrical wire is held constant and the resistance in the wire is decreased, will the rate of current flowing through the wire increase, decrease, or stay the same?

Independence.

-Increase.

-Yeah, you've got it right.

Nicely done, Independence.

[ Buzzer ] Many of the -- And that is the end of the game and the Grab Bag round.

Really nice round, everybody.

We have all of the scores coming up.

The judges are working on the figures, so stay with us.

[ 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.

-Hey, everyone, my name is Alec Riso, and I'm a senior at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology.

Today, I wanted to talk about the Children's Science Center Lab and their community events.

The Science Center is a non-profit whose goal is to inspire a love of STEM by engaging children and families in a bunch of different STEM-related activities and experiments.

I volunteer at the main building as well as at local libraries, and when I was younger, I was really fortunate to have access to books, documentaries, and a ton of other different resources whenever I was curious about science.

I see that same curiosity in the eyes of the children who come to the science center, and I think it's amazing that we're able to provide an educational outlet for creativity and enjoyment in the new generation.

-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, this question is for you, our viewing audience.

What does this word mean?

Well, it's the fear of having peanut butter stuck to the roof of your mouth.

Eek!

I've had that.

Let's get back to the show.

[ Applause ] [ Cheering ] All right, the scores are now official.

We begin with North Point High School from Waldorf, Maryland.

Addyson, Zena, Jeremiah, 240 points.

Good job.

From Independence High School in Brambleton, Virginia -- Ethan, Gabbi, Ava, 390 points.

And coming back for the playoffs, kind of knocking it out of the park -- got that 25-point bonus -- We have Osbourn Park from Manassas.

Erin, George, Skye, 535 points.

Well done, guys.

How about these teams, huh?

Stick around because we're gonna have more for you in just a moment.

-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.

[ Cheers and applause ] -Hey, we want to thank you, our wonderful viewers, as well as our incredible students, for being here on "It's Academic."

Can't wait to see you next time.

Bye, everybody.

I'm Hillary Howard.

See you then.

Hey, guys, let's get some selfies.

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