What’s it all about?

Academic WorldQuest is a fun, friendly and powerful way for high school students to learn about international affairs.  It’s a global knowledge competition that has become a flagship program of the World Affairs Councils of America (WACA).  Teams are comprised of four students and typically prepare in an after-school setting over the course of several weeks.  At WorldBoston’s regional competition, teams view a PowerPoint presentation of 80 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as people in the news, world geography, elections, international organizations and current events.  The event is open to parents, friends and the general public, who also are given answer sheets and enjoy playing along.  The winning high school team travels to Washington, D.C., in April to compete in the National Academic WorldQuest.

Who can play?

This activity is open to all high schools in the Greater Boston area as well as in North Shore, Metro-west and South Shore suburbs.  Coaches (teachers, youth leaders or parents): Please recruit your team and register as soon as possible.  Let your students show what they know!  A 2012 Academic WorldQuest Study Guide is available at WACA's WorldQuest page. Meanwhile, WorldBoston can provide past examples of questions and other guidance.

The following 13 high schools contended for the local title at Academic WorldQuest 2011:

Austin Preparatory School          Billerica Memorial High School                                                           

Braintree High School                  Duxbury High School                  

Everett High School                      Lynn Classical High School

Lynn English High School          Needham High School              

Newton Country Day School     North Reading High School

Somerville High School               Taunton High School  

Waring School             

When is the competition?
Saturday, March 10, 2012
10:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Where?

Stay tuned for updates on the 2012 venue. Reflecting the program's growing popularity, larger locations in downtown Boston are under consideration.

Prizes!

First place: Four scholarships to represent WorldBoston and your school at the National Academic WorldQuest competition in Washington, D.C., on April 21, 2012. 

All participants receive commemorative T-shirts.

Recruit your team!

The selection method for your team – four team members plus alternates – is up to each high school. Student groups, such as Model United Nations, Youth in Government, Debate Team, Boys State and Girls State, and foreign-language clubs have proven to be good sources of student interest. 
Contact WorldBoston to register for this year's Academic WorldQuest!

Cost?

There is a $40 registration cost per team to cover administrative expenses.

Sponsorship support for WorldBoston’s Academic WorldQuest

Please consider sponsorship of Academic WorldQuest and the high school teams in your area. 

We are grateful for the support of past and present sponsors:

Carlson Family Fund                                    Museum of Science, Boston

Ramsay Thurber                                            Anonymous

Boston University Photonics Center       David Asadoorian, CPA
MBT Worldwide, Inc.                                     NBM, Inc.
Peterson Linen                                              Suffolk Univ. Government Department
Weitbrecht Auctioneers

Congratulations Braintree High School on repeating as champions in WorldBoston's 4th Annual Academic WorldQuest!

National Academic WorldQuest                                           

For the third straight year, the Braintree team, led by Coach Bob White, traveled to Washington, D.C. to compete in the National Academic WorldQuest, held in April 2011. Who will go on to represent eastern Massachusetts this year?

Visit the World Affairs Councils of America for more information.

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