What’s better than being a National Champion? How about being a World Champion! IAC organizes competitions for students in over 50 countries around the world, and every two years, we feature a world championship for each of our three main subjects: Geography, Science, and History. These are known as the International Geography Championships, International Environmental Science Olympiad, and the International History Olympiad. We will feature a brief preview session of our plans for each of these immediately before the Opening Meeting for the Playoffs for the National Geography Bee, National Science Bee, and National History Bee respectively. The Opening Meetings will also be an important opportunity to IAC Nationals Staff to brief you on the rules and procedures that we use in playoff rounds in Bee competitions at Nationals (and at the world championship events too). This involves changes in the scoring system, rules on protesting, and information on awards ceremonies. We strongly urge all students who make the playoffs to attend! Please note the times of each of the following – all of these take place on Sunday morning, May 26.
1. National Science Bee Playoff Meeting / International Environmental Science Olympiad Preview – 8:00am, May 26
The inaugural 2024 International Environmental Science Olympiad will take place from December 27-31 in Puerto Rico. This competition is being specifically designed as an event for the whole family, with numerous activities that non-competing students and parents can take part in as well. There will be a few buzzer-based competitions here, but the emphasis is more on hands-on problem solving and taking advantage of all that the beautiful island of Puerto Rico has to offer. Registration will open in Spring 2024, and this is open to any student who has qualified for the National Championships in the National Science Bee or who passes the IESO Qualifying Exam. Further details can be found at www.iacompetitions.com/ieso
2. National History Bee Playoff Meeting / International History Olympiad Preview – 9:15am, May 26
The 2025 International History Olympiad will be held in July 2025, most likely in London. By the time that the 2024 National Championships takes place, we expect to have the host location secured. The Olympiad features, among other events, the International History Bee World Championships and the International History Bowl World Championships. At the History Olympiad, students compete on teams where they represent their home state (or country of citizenship). Thus the History Bowl is not a school team event at the Olympiad. Other Olympiad components include numerous buzzer, exam, and other competitions, sightseeing, and a chance to get to know other students who love history from around the world. Students qualify for the Olympiad by finishing in the top 25% at a regional National History Bee or National History Bowl tournament in the 2023-24 or 2024-25 academic year, by finishing in the top 50% in the National History Bee or National History Bowl at the 2024 or 2025 National Championships, or by passing the Olympiad Qualifying Exam. Further details can be found at www.historyolympiad.com
3. National Geography Bee Playoff Meeting / International Geography Championships Preview – 10:30am, May 26
The 2024 International Geography Championships will be held on July 13-20 in Vienna, Austria. The first day is optional and features a day trip to Budapest. There is also an optional week-long extension trip to Prague, Dresden, and Berlin, among other destinations, which is open to all families, including those not participating in IGC. The International Geography Championships features, among other events, the International Geography Bee World Championships and the International Geography Bowl World Championships. At IGC, students compete on teams where they represent their home state (or country of citizenship). Thus the Geography Bowl is not a school team event at IGC. Other IGC components include numerous buzzer, exam, and other competitions, sightseeing, and a chance to get to know other students who love geography from around the world. Students qualify for IGC by finishing in the top 25% at a regional National Geography Bee tournament in the 2022-23 or 2023-24 academic year, by finishing in the top 50% in the National Geography Bee at the 2023 or 2024 National Championships, or by passing the IGC Qualifying Exam. Further details can be found at www.geochampionships.com