Academic World Quest 2021: Virtual Edition!

WHAT IS ACADEMIC WORLDQUEST (AWQ)? 

A fun, fast-paced team competition for high school students. Academic WorldQuest tests players’ knowledge of current international politics, geography, global economics, history, and world cultures. This year the World Affairs Council of Maine will be collaborating with sister Councils from New Hampshire, Vermont, Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama in a fully virtual, regional show-down!

HOW IS WORLDQUEST PLAYED (THIS YEAR AND IN GENERAL)?

AWQ is played by teams of four, with answers submitted by teams, not individuals. The game consists of 6 rounds of 10 questions drawn from a list of topics on global affairs, with a tie-breaker round if needed. Rounds are timed, and scores tabulated at the end of each round. The team with the most points is the winner! This year, teams will gather virtually, and we will use MyQuiz to manage questions and tabulate answers. There will be a practice session on February 7th for all registered teams.

WHAT'S ON THE TEST?

The 2021 Regional competition categories include:

1. Global Protests
2. Shifting Sands: The Arab Spring 10 Years On
3. International Labour Organization (ILO)
4. The U.S. Foreign Service in the 21st Century
5. Current Events Pt. 1
6. Country in Focus: Uzbekistan
7. Exploring Peace in a World of Conflict
8. Fraying Alliances
9. Looking to a Post-Pandemic Economy
10. Current Events Pt. 2

WHAT CAN WE WIN?

There will be prizes and recognition for the top overall team, New England, and Maine team. In addition, the top three teams  Maine high school teams (team of four students only) will receive special prizes and be eligible to compete in the Spring 2021 national Academic WorldQuest competition, which will also be held virtually on Saturday, April 17th. 

WHO CAN COMPETE?

This year, the competition is exclusively for high schools teams. Students from any Maine High School are eligible to form a four person team, provided all teammates are from the same school, in grades 9-12, and have an adult coach or advisor recognized by the school administration. Interested teams should reach out to info@wacmaine.org for information and to complete registration. Thanks to the generous support of our donors, we will be offering free registration for the first 12 teams to sign-up by January 15th, 2021.

QUESTIONS AND STUDY GUIDE

This year ALL contest questions will be drawn from the sources found in the World Affairs Councils of America (WACA)  Study Guide and current events through the end of 2020.

HOW CAN WE JOIN THE FUN?

Not a student? No worries! You can still make a contribution to this important event by being a volunteer judge or team sponsor.  While not the same as competing, it will help us provide Maine students a with safe, fun and globally engaging competition this year!