Fourth-grader wins Hindley School Geography Bee

Isabelle Smith, a fourth grade student at Hindley School, won the school-level competition of the National Geographic Bee on Jan. 30, and a chance at a $25,000 college scholarship. The school-level bee, at which students answered oral questions on geography, was the first round in the 24th annual National Geographic Bee. This year's bee is sponsored by Google (visit www.google.com/educators/geo).

The kickoff for this year's bee was the week of Nov. 14, with thousands of schools around the United States and in the five U.S. territories participating. The school winners, including Isabelle Smith, will now take a written test; up to 100 of the top scorers in each state will be eligible to compete in their state bee on March 30.

The National Geographic Society will provide an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C., for the state champions and teacher-escorts to participate in the National Geographic Bee national championship on May 22 to 24. The first-place national winner will receive a $25,000 college scholarship and a lifetime membership in the society, and a trip to the Galapagos Islands, courtesy of Lindblad Expeditions and National Geographic (visit www.expeditions.com).

"Jeopardy!" host Alex Trebek will moderate the national finals on May 24. Check local listings for dates and times.

Anyone can brush up on geography with GeoBee Challenge, an online geography quiz at www.nationalgeographic.com/geobee, which poses 10 new questions a day from previous National Geographic Bees or by downloading the GeoBee Challenge app for iPhones, iPods and iPads.

The National Geographic Society is the world's largest nonprofit scientific and educational organization. Founded in 1888 to "increase and diffuse geographic knowledge," the society works to inspire people to care about the planet. It reaches more than 375 million people worldwide each month. National Geographic has funded more than 9,700 scientific research projects and supports an education program combating geographic illiteracy.

For more information, visit www.nationalgeographic.com.