Since 1989, thousands of schools and millions of students have participated in the National Geographic Bee, an entertaining and challenging test of knowledge, which spans the broad discipline of geography. Each year, it is estimated that nearly five million students participate in the Bee. These students come from around the United States, the Pacific Territories, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands and the Department of Defense Dependents Schools to test their geographic literacy, as well as knowledge of politics, cultures and religions.

The National Geographic Bee takes place in three stages - school, state, and national. The national finals are held at Society headquarters in Washington, D.C., with the top winners sharing $50,000 in college scholarships. This event is the culmination of state competitions, involving thousands of contestants which narrowed the field to fifty-five, who earn an all-expense paid trip to our nation's capitol to compete for a spot in the national finals.

Alex Trebek and 2008 Winner Akshay Rajagopal.

Ten students emerge victorious, from an original field of five million, grades four through eight, to vie for the top prize of a $25,000 scholarship and a lifetime membership in the National Geographic Society. The second and third place winners receive $15,000 and $10,000 scholarships respectively. Each of the winners is given the freedom to attend any college of their choosing. Past winners have attended Johns Hopkins, Harvard, Yale, and even colleges abroad, to further their knowledge about geography, international relations, and even medicine.

Alex Trebek of JEOPARDY! has served as moderator of the national finals since the Bee's inception. The Bee's success is two-fold: not only does it motivate students and teachers to become more knowledgeable about geography; it increases public awareness by inspiring people to familiarize themselves with our world and its inhabitants. Through its national media coverage at all levels, school, state and national, the Bee annually reaches an audience of over 100 million. The national Bee finals in May are broadcast on public television stations nationwide, produced by National Geographic Television and presented by Maryland Public Television.