Twenty students from across the country are in Ottawa this weekend, competing for the top spot in the Canadian Geographic Challenge.
James Cogswell of Bernice MacNaughton High School in Moncton is one of them.
This is his third year at the competition, and the last year he can qualify. The other 19 students are from across the country, “Usually it is just every province, but this year they have one from every territory, as well, which hasn’t happened before. Prince Edward Island doesn’t have anyone representing them this year though.”
He says there are some traditional questions asked, while others require more thinking, “What’s the capital of this country, there are usually one or two of those questions, but it is very rare, They usually ask questions that require critical thinking. For instance, why is it that in the Middle East there wouldn’t be ask many pig farms, as in Europe and Africa?”
There are three parts to the competition.The first is written, the second involves field work and the third is in a game show format. It will be broadcast live on the internet.
Holden O’Donnell of Fredericton is also competing.
Once the challenge is completed, Cogswell says next year he can focus on being a part of the Reach for the Top team at his school, “After this year I’ll be done with this challenge, Ill be able to branch out. If you make it to the provincials, you can potentially go to their finals, which are held in Toronto instead of Ottawa.”
For a link where you can watch the finals at the Canadian Geographic Challenge, visit HERE
