Can You Make The Grade In National Geography Bee?

The United States Bureau of the Census estimates that half of the country's population growth between 1990 and 2000 will take place in California and two other states. Name one of these other states.

This was one of the final questions from the State Championship Round of the National Geography Bee this spring.

If you answered Florida or Texas to the question above, give yourself a pat on the back. If you know a child who got the right answer, he or she might be may be a future contestant for the National Geography Bee.

The Bee, now in its fourth year, is an event created and developed by the National Geographic Society. On Thursday, winners of this year's state competitions will be in Washington, D.C. to compete in the Geography Bee finals.

About 6 million students in grades four through eight, from 35,000 schools, entered this year's contest. One winner from each state and U.S. territory (plus a teacher from each)receive a free trip to Washington, D.C., for the finals. (State winners also receive $500.)

For the second straight year, Washington state's representative is Lawson Fite, a 13-year-old eighth grader at Shumway Middle School in Vancouver. Last year, he placed 16th among the 57 contestants. His teacher, parents and 10-year old sister will accompany him to the finals this week.

Contestants will be pared to the top ten on Wednesday in Washington D.C., with the finals on Thursday.

The final round will be telecast nationally on the Public Broadcasting Service. (In Seattle, it will be broadcast on KCTS, Channel 9, at noon on Thursday and repeated at 11 a.m. on Saturday.

Awards for the Bee include a $25,000 college scholarship for first place and $15,000 and $10,000 scholarships for second and third place respectively.