-Students from Paul VI -- West Springfield -- and Woodgrove meet today on "It's Academic."

[ Applause ] ♪♪ ♪♪ [ 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 and 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.

♪♪ [ Applause ] -Hey, we are so glad that you are with us to watch these fine teams duke it out today on "It's Academic."

We begin with the Fast Start, as we always do.

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

First team to buzz in gets to answer.

Contestants don't see what you do on your screens.

Guys, here we go -- October Babies.

Many interesting people were born in October.

See if you can identify these individuals, all of whom were born in October.

This philanthropist was a co-founder and former chairman of Microsoft.

-Bill Gates.

-Yeah, Paul VI.

This modern Spanish artist is known for his anti-war Guernica painting.

-Yeah, Paul.

-Pablo Picasso.

-Correct.

This scientist and Albert Sabin developed vaccines to prevent polio.

Yeah, Paul.

-Who is Salk?

-You are right.

She designed Washington, DC's Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

Any takers?

It is Maya Lin.

He wrote "Death of a Salesman."

Yeah, Spartans!

Answer in three, two, one-- -Arthur Miller.

-Arthur Miller is it.

This astrophysicist's first two names are Neil DeGrasse.

-Tyson.

-Tyson.

That's right, Paul.

This 17th - 18th century architect designed Saint Paul's Cathedral in London.

The answer is Sir Christopher Wren.

And finally, called the Father of Modern India, He was born in 18 -- Paul.

-Gandhi.

-Gandhi is correct.

Nice.

And that does it for our Fast Start Let's recap the scores.

Paul VI, 150 points.

West Springfield Spartans, 110 points and the Woodgrove Wolverines, 100 points.

[ Applause ] We've got the Mix and Match round coming up, but first we're going to meet the teams.

We begin with Paul VI from Chantilly, Virginia.

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

-I'm Ethan, I'm a junior at Saint Paul VI Catholic High School, and recently I've been learning to fly planes using a simulator.

-Oh, wow.

How's that going?

-It's going good.

Little -- couple crashes, but it's going good overall, yeah.

-Okay.

Does that flip you out when it crashes?

Not so much?

Hello, Ethan again.

I like to call you guys Ethan Squared.

Yeah.

What's up with you?

-Um, I'm Ethan, I'm a senior at Paul VI.

And, um, in my free time, I like listening to albums of music.

And recently, my favorite has been OK Computer by Radiohead.

-Oh, wow.

Nice.

Well, that's good.

I love when people kind of dig deep and go back a little bit to find something.

Good to have you, Ethan and hello, Chris.

-Hi.

I'm Christopher Madden, I'm a senior at PVI, and something I've been doing in my free time is a project it's been trying to preserve and certify an enslaved person cemetery in southern Virginia.

And it's been -- I'd say the process is pretty lengthy, but we've been making pretty good progress, and with help from the current landowners, they're very nice.

We've been -- I think we're doing quite well.

-Wonderful.

That must be very meaningful.

-Definitely.

-All right, guys.

Here are your questions.

They're worth 20 points, nothing off for a wrong answer.

So I always like this round.

No Waste Elements -- Instead of wasting time see if you can find in this phrase the name of what metallic alloy made primarily of iron and carbon.

-Steel.

-Steel it is.

Einstein, Newton, Archimedes.

These three scientists lived centuries apart.

Please arrange them in chronological order, starting with the earliest.

[ Indistinct whispering ] -Archimedes, Newton, Einstein.

-You've got it.

Adhesive to Axe -- This volume of an old encyclopedia would give you information about what mythical Greek Titan forced to hold up the heavens on his shoulders.

-Atlas.

-Yeah.

At Bunker Hill, the commander said -- "Don't fire till you see the whites of their eggs."

No, he didn't say that.

Please change one word to make the statement correct.

-Uh, whites of their eyes.

-Yes, that would be it.

Thank you.

Those who wish to sing will find a song.

This is a tuneful proverb from what Scandinavian country whose capital is Stockholm?

-Sweden.

-Sweden is right.

Nice!

Paul VI, 250 points.

[ Applause ] To West Springfield High School from Fairfax County.

Hey, Maggie, what should we know about you?

-Hi.

I'm Maggie, I'm a senior at West Springfield High School and I love to bake in my free time.

-What do you like to bake most?

-My favorite thing to bake is banana bread.

-Banana bread.

Next time you come, we could have some.

-Okay.

-Thank you.

Hiya, Cole.

Tell us about yourself.

-Hi, I'm Cole.

I'm a 17 year old senior and I like to crochet in my free time.

-Is that right?

And what sort of things do you make by crocheting?

-I make a lot of scarves.

-Do all the people you care about and love have them?

-Um, I actually just made 15.

I'm donating them to a charity for military veterans, but yeah, my family has some too.

-Oh that's wonderful.

Well, it's good to see you.

And Logan, hi.

-Hi.

I'm a junior at West Springfield, and in my free time, I like to volunteer at my local nature center.

-And what do you do there?

-Uh, take care of the animals, mostly.

-Oh, that's great.

Well, it's really good to have you guys.

And here we go.

I've Torn a Document -- Tear into this sentence and see if you can find a type of severe weather phenomenon sometimes called a whirlwind.

-Tornado.

-Tornado it is.

Tibia, Mandible, Stapes.

Here are three bones found in the human body.

Please arrange them in order of size, beginning with the smallest.

[ Indistinct whispering ] -Stapes, mandible, tibia.

-Yeah.

Corn to Czar -- You would pick up this volume of an old encyclopedia to read about what Roman god of love often portrayed as a young boy with wings?

-Yeah.

Cupid.

-Cupid, yes.

The ship the USS Constitution was nicknamed Old Ironheads.

No it wasn't.

Can you correct this statement?

[ Indistinct whispering ] -Old Ironsides.

-Yeah, that's it.

"Easier to love a dead hero than a live king."

This cynical proverb comes from what Asian country where Ulaanbaatar is the capital?

-Mongolia.

-Mongolia is right.

Nicely done.

West Springfield, 210 points.

[ Applause ] And finally, team three, Woodgrove High School.

The Wolverines from Purcellville, Virginia.

Hello, Thatcher.

-Hi, I'm Thatcher, I'm a 17 year old senior at Woodgrove, and I like to play volleyball and go hiking in my free time.

-Where do you hike?

-Uh, around us.

West Virginia is pretty close.

-Oh, yeah.

That's nice.

I just did Hawksbill, which I love to do in autumn.

Well, it's good to see you.

Hiya,William.

-Hi.

I'm a 17 year old senior, and I like to play soccer and swim.

-And swim.

Do you like one better than the other?

-Soccer for sure.

-Soccer for sure.

That's great.

Now, Jackson.

-Hi, I'm Jackson, I'm a 17 year old senior.

Um, and I'm in the marching band, and I'm the president of the German Club and German Honor Society at my school.

-Oh, that's cool.

Have you been to Germany yet?

-I have.

Other German speaking countries, as well.

-Wow, that's very cool.

All right, guys, here you go.

Sage I Germinate -- Hidden in this phrase is the name of what type of counter used to detect atomic radiation?

-Geiger.

-Yep.

ZIP codes introduced, first U.S.

Zoo, Québec founded-- these events each took place in July but in different years.

Please arrange them in chronological order.

[ Indistinct whispering ] Three, two, one.

-That's it.

Hale to Hyphen -- this volume of an old encyclopedia would have an entry on what mythical Greek strongman who completed 12 labors?

-Hercules.

-Hercules, yeah.

In 1860, the Federal Express began carrying mail from Missouri to California.

Not exactly.

Please change one word to make this correct.

-Answer?

-Utah.

-No, to Pony.

[ Laughs ] A Way of Hope -- These words subtitle the autobiography of Lech Walesa, who earned a Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to bring democracy to what European country whose capital is Warsaw?

-Poland.

-Poland it is!

Nice, Woodgrove, 180 points.

That does it for Mix and Match.

Picture Perfect is 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.

♪♪ [ Applause ] -It is time for the Picture Perfect round.

And in this round, guys, as you undoubtedly know, questions are worth 20 points up or down.

First team to buzz in, once again, gets to answer.

And we're off.

These jellyfish eat the larvae of what insects that can carry malaria and other diseases?

Springfield.

-Mosquitoes.

-Yeah.

This is what Russian composer who wrote the music for The Nutcracker ballet?

Paul.

-Tchaikovsky.

-Correct.

This is an aerial view of what Iowa City that shares its name with the Native American tribe led by Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse?

-Sioux -Yes, that's it, the Sioux.

This expression equals what integer?

-Yeah, Woodgrove.

-Eight.

-32 is the answer.

This is the badge of Brazil's World War II Smoking Snakes, a military force notable for its exploits in what country where Mussolini had been -- Yeah, Paul.

-Italy.

-Italy is right.

Current Power EMF a transformer increases the voltage on a power line, but must simultaneously decrease the amperage -- -Yes, Paul?

-Current.

No, we're going for power.

To keep what quantity that's measured in watts.

"True terror is to wake up and discover your high school class is running the country."

[ Laughs ] Kind of funny.

This comment was made by what author of "Slaughterhouse-Five" and "Cat's" -- Yes, West Springfield.

-Vonnegut.

-Vonnegut is correct.

This temple can be seen in what capital city of Thailand?

-Yep, Paul.

-Bangkok.

Bangkok is right, and that does it for "Picture Perfect."

Let's recap those scores -- Paul VI, 290 points.

West Springfield Spartans, 250 and the Woodgrove Wolverines, 180 points.

[ Applause ] Well, we always talk about the fact that these students don't do it alone on "It's Academic," and they don't.

It does take a village.

We're going to meet the folks who help prepare them for "It's Academic".

We begin with Paul VI.

The captain is Ethan.

Ethan, tell us who's here with you.

-All right, so here today is Dr. Campbell and our alternate, Indra.

But first, I would like to thank our head of school, Mrs. Swenson, and our principal, Dr. Opfer.

But, um, Dr. Campbell has been a great help in helping us prepare for this competition.

And he makes 100 new questions every week, and, um, he's just great.

-That's fabulous.

And we're so happy to have everybody.

Over to West Springfield High School and Cole, the captain of the team, tell us who's with you.

-Um, today we have our alternate, Russell, and our amazing coach and AP world teacher, Ms. Shim, who also volunteers at Friends of Rabbits.

-Friends of Rabbits, oh, that's great.

And to Woodgrove High School, William is the captain.

Hey, William, who's with you?

-Today we brought our fantastic coach, Ms. Barrett.

-All right.

Wonderful to see you.

Thanks all so much for being here.

[ Applause ] And now we get to have some fun in the Packet round.

You guys know how it works.

Paul VI, You get to answer questions first from one of these packets, West Springfield, you get to choose which packet they'll answer questions from.

-One.

-One.

Here we go.

Oh, right -- and if you get all the questions correct, there's a 25 point bonus.

First question -- In 1848, a runaway slave named Louis Temple revolutionized the fishing industry by inventing a new kind of harpoon for hunting what largest sea mammal?

-Whale.

-Whale it is.

In an alphabetical list of state capitals, Albany would come in first.

Last would be what capital of New Jersey?

-Trenton?

-Yes.

-Germany's Rhine River and France's Rhone River both originate in the melting snows of what Alpine country long known for its neutrality?

-Switzerland?

-Yes.

Here's your science question -- Which of these figures indicates absolute zero on the Celsius scale?

-Negative 273.15.

-You are right.

After wearing out his shoes, standing all day at work, Humphrey O'Sullivan came up with the idea of replacing heels made with what substance created through vulcanization?

[ Indistinct whispering ] -Rubber.

-Yes.

Good dental hygiene would have been important to what "Alice in Wonderland" cat who would disappear, leaving behind only his grin?

-The Cheshire -- Cheshire Cat.

-Yes.

Here's your math question -- Solve for X.

-A hundred.

A hundred.

-Yeah.

During the Second World War, the Army chief of Staff was not Eisenhower, but what general, whose name was later given to a European recovery plan?

-Marshall.

-Yes, it was Marshall.

You guys got those all right, didn't you?

That means a 25 point bonus for Paul VI Well done guys.

Yay!

[ Applause ] And now to West Springfield.

Woodgrove, which packet will it be, two or three?

-Two.

-Two.

All right.

Let's see what questions this packet yields.

One conquistador who didn't conquer anything was Pánfilo de Narváez, whose ship disappeared in 1528 in what body of water into which the Mississippi River flows?

-Gulf of Mexico?

-Yes it is.

When the Mars Pathfinder made its 1997 Mars landing, it released a robot with what same name as the 19th century abolitionist whose last name was Truth?

-Sojourner.

-Yeah.

If you were traveling from Moscow to Siberia, you'd cross what mountain range that separates Europe from Asia?

[ Indistinct whispering ] -Ural Mountains.

-Yeah, that's it.

Here's your science question -- An enzyme, a hormone, a nutrient -- Pepsin is an example of which of these?

-Enzyme?

-Yes.

-The medieval kingdom on Benin is famous for its beautiful sculptures made of what metallic alloy of copper and tin?

-Brass.

Brass?

-No, it's bronze.

What deep thinking French writer foresaw the possibility of deep cruising submarines in his 1870 novel, "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea?"

-Jules Verne.

-Yeah.

Here's your math question -- Given that x equals five, what is the value of this expression?

Giving your answer as an integer?

-Eight.

-Yes.

-The Battle of Balaclava was part of a war fought in the 1850s by Britain, Russia, and other countries on what Black Sea peninsula?

-Crimea.

-Crimea is right.

Great job.

West Springfield, 390 points.

[ Applause ] And that leaves packet number three for Woodgrove.

A small fragment of the Wright brothers' first airplane was on board when Neil Armstrong made what historic 1969 spaceflight?

-Apollo 11.

-Yes.

That's it.

at the moon landing.

Absolutely.

Maine was admitted to the Union in 1820 as part of legislation known as the compromise of what other M initialed state?

-Missouri.

-Yes.

During the 1930s, much of the quartz needed for radio crystal sets was imported from what largest island in the Indian Ocean that's located off the coast of Africa?

-Madagascar.

Yeah.

Here's your science question -- Speech, heart rate, walking -- If you were studying the autonomic nervous system, your studies would concern which of these?

-Speech.

-No, heart rate.

Until the U.S. Post Office was chartered in 1792, mail was delivered by what cabinet department whose first secretary was Alexander Hamilton?

-Federal Reserve?

-No -- close, it was Treasury.

A number of publishers, British and American, rejected what now classic George Orwell novel featuring villainous pigs?

-"Animal Farm" -"Animal farm" is right.

Here's your math question -- express the sum of the reciprocals of these three numbers, giving your answer as a positive integer.

-Nine?

-Nine.

-Nine it is.

Showing there were no hard feelings, a statue of George Washington was placed in what London Square named for Lord Nelson's 1805 victory?

[ Indistinct whispering ] -I don't know.

-Answer is?

-Cambridge Square.

-Nah, Trafalgar.

But good job, Woodgrove, 280 points.

The Packet round is in the books.

We have the Grab Bag next.

See you in a minute.

♪♪ -Hello, I'm David Rubenstein.

Did you know that President Franklin Delano Roosevelt arranged for the placement of the Jefferson Memorial on the Tidal Basin because he could see it there from the White House?

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

♪♪ [ Applause ] -Well, hello.

We're about to begin the Grab Bag round, but first, let's recap the scores -- Paul VI, 475 points.

West Springfield, 390 points.

Woodgrove, 280 points.

[ Applause ] So this round can go pretty fast.

Questions are worth 20 points up or down.

Are you ready?

Yes.

Here we go.

One of the oldest breeds of dogs is what very small dog named for a state of Mexico?

-Yeah, West Springfield.

-Chihuahua.

-Correct.

Using the slogan "5440 or fight," extremists tried to push the nation into war over what Northwestern -- Yeah, Paul.

-Oregon?

-Oregon is correct.

During the 2024 Summer Olympics, Valarie Allman won gold for the U.S. in what event that involves throwing a flat metal plate?

Yeah, Springfield.

-Discus.

-Correct.

On your screens -- these flowers can be seen in a Louisiana national park named for what pirate who aided the United States in the War of 1812?

Anybody?

Going once, going twice.

The answer is Jean Lafitte.

Choice -- a radioisotope has a five year half life.

After 15 years, what fraction of the original isotope remains -- 1/8, 1/5 or 1/20?

Yes, Springfield.

Answer?

-Eighth.

-Eight is correct.

Thanks to a strong effort to save wildlife, there are now 70,000 buffalo in what oldest U.S. national park?

Springfield.

-Yellowstone?

-Yeah.

What is the cosine of 60 degrees?

Yes, Springfield.

-One half.

-Correct.

On your monitors -- "Only shallow people do not judge by appearances."

This deep thought was expressed by what Anglo-Irish writer, who can be judged by such works as "The Importance of Being Earnest."

Yes, Springfield.

-Oscar Wilde.

Oscar Wilde is right.

Several years ago, NASA measured the salinity of Earth's oceans from space using an instrument named for what Zodiac figure known as the water bearer?

Yeah, Paul.

-Pisces?

-No, Aquarius.

No astrology folks here.

Choice -- when a uranium nucleus decays by emitting an alpha particle, is it changed into a nucleus of thorium, plutonium, or lead?

Yes.

-Thorium.

-Thorium is correct, Springfield.

Nice.

An asteroid discovered in 1858 was given what feminine name, which later identified the wife of Tsar Nicholas II?

Yeah, Paul.

Answer.

-Alexandria.

-Yes, correct.

On your screens -- In Homer's "Odyssey," Odysseus used garlic to keep what sorceress from turning him into a -- [ Timer buzzes ] Paul.

-Circe.

-Circe is right.

You've got it.

And that's the end of the game.

Keep it here.

We'll have the score coming up in just a moment.

[ 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.

-Hi, I'm Emma.

I'm a senior at Osborn High School.

I recently completed my Girl Scout Gold Award, which was entitled "Fostering Literacy in Children."

My project addressed the declining levels of literacy among elementary schoolers in Virginia.

This was done through providing over 220 online read aloud books for students and parents, which is available online in both English and in Spanish.

I was able to present my final product to over 65 families at a few of the local elementary schools and libraries.

I had a lot of fun working on this project, and I'm super thankful to have been able to help people in my community improve their reading skills.

-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 ] -And the scores are now official.

We begin with Woodgrove High School, home of the Wolverines.

Thatcher, William and Jackson.

280 points.

Great having you guys.

[ Applause ] From Paul VI in Chantilly, Virginia, we've got Ethan, Ethan and Chris.

515 points.

Well played, guys.

And finally -- I mean talk about a comeback.

West Springfield huh?

The home of the Spartans.

Maggie, Cole.

and Logan, 530 points coming back.

Awesome job.

That does it for us today.

We are so happy you are with us on "It's Academic."

See you next week.

And remember, everybody, "It's Academic!"

Bye.

See you later.

Come on down, everyone.

-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.

♪♪ ♪♪