2017 National Geographic Bee

Pictured: Host Mo Rocca.

Credit: Maryland Public Television

State Geographic Bee champions from across the country will compete for the national title and scholarships at the 2017 National Geographic Bee, which will be held in Washington, D.C., May 14 - 17, 2017.

The 2017 National Geographic Bee airs Wednesday, May 31 at 4 p.m. on WXXI-TV. First prize is a $50,000 college scholarship, a lifetime membership in the National Geographic Society, and an all-expenses paid Lindblad expedition to the Galápagos Islands aboard the new National Geographic Endeavour II.

The finalists, all champions of their state-level geographic bees, have triumphed over a field of more than 2 million students to earn a place in the national championships. They represent the 50 states, District of Columbia, U.S. Atlantic & Pacific territories and Department of Defense Dependents Schools.

The preliminary rounds of the national contest will take place on Monday, May 15th.  The top 10 finalists will each win $500 and advance to the final round on Wednesday, May 17th which will be moderated again by journalist and humorist Mo Rocca.