State Geographic Bee Winners will compete for the National Bee Title and a $25,000 Scholarship. But all have their eyes on one goal - to take top honors at the 23rd annual National Geographic Bee, which will be held in Washington, D.C., on May 24thand 25th, 2011. Fifty-four fourth- to eighth-graders will be vying for the Bee crown and the top prize of a $25,000 college scholarship and lifetime membership in the National Geographic Society. Second and third prizes are college scholarships of $15,000 and $10,000. Additionally, the national winner will travel (along with one parent or guardian), all expenses paid, to the Galapagos Islands. The winner will experience geography firsthand through up-close encounters with the wildlife and landscape of the Galapagos. Travel for the"Galapagos Adventure" is provided by Lindblad Expeditions and the National Geographic Society. The finalists, to be named in April 2011, will be the winners of their state-level geographic bees, and will triumph over a field of nearly 5 million students to earn a place in the national championships. They represent the 50 states, District of Columbia, Atlantic Territories, Pacific Territories and Department of Defense Dependents Schools.
