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Academic WorldQuest
2012-2013 Program Information
AWQ Flyer
Teacher's Guide
2012-2013 Study Guide
What is it?
One of the greatest challenges facing our nation and our schools across the country is preparing our youth for the globally interconnected world of the 21st century. America’s ability to face the economic and security challenges of the 21st century and seize new opportunities is dependent on an educated and informed citizenry and workforce. Academic WorldQuest is a unique opportunity to expose our youth to the world outside our borders and prepare them for the challenges and the opportunities of the 21st Century.
History
Academic WorldQuest was invented by the World Affairs Council of Charlotte and is now widely played at the adult and high school levels around the country. It is a team competition testing competitors' knowledge of international affairs, geography, history, and culture. Participants come from high schools that work with the World Affairs Council network.
Why It Is Important
Preparing the next generation of American decision-makers and opinion leaders to thrive in tomorrow's world, where our national interests and policies are deeply intertwined with those of the greater global community, requires that we close the gap in students' knowledge about global affairs and restore American excellence in science and math. Research is showing troubling signs. American students are performing well below students in other developed nations in science and math and American students are also lacking in basic knowledge of world history, international geography and global issues. The mission of Academic WorldQuest is to help close this gap.
Program Structure
During the academic year preceding the National Competition in the spring, approximately 4,000 students across the country participate in local competitions hosted by over 40 local World Affairs Councils in 26 states. A study guide is provided with detailed resources on each of the categories to help students and teachers to prepare for the competition. All questions for the competition are drawn from the resources in the study guide. Winning teams are invited to represent their high school, city, and local council at the National Competition, held in the spring each year in our nation’s capitol, Washington, DC. This special weekend includes the competition as well as substantive programming planned to enhance the global education experience.
2012-2013 Topics
- US Economic Competitiveness
- US Education: Competing Globally
- US Energy Policy
- Middle East
- Afghanistan/Pakistan
- China
- UN Millennium Goals: Environmental Sustainability
- Geography
- Current Events
- Cuban Missile Crisis: 50th Anniversary
2011-2012 Competition
The World Affairs Councils of America's 10th Annual Academic WorldQuest National Competition was a great success! The weekend included a reception at the Embassy of the People's Republic of China where Ambassador Zhang Yesui gave his observations on the US-China relationship, a reception at the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia, and an exciting, down to the wire Academic WorldQuest National Competition complete with a sudden death tiebreaker round. Be sure to check out photos from the competition weekend on our Facebook page.
2011-2012 National Competition Information
List of 2011-2012 Local Competitions and Winners
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