Estancias is the term for large cattle ranches in the second-largest country by area in South America.
Can you name this country?
That’s what nearly a dozen middle schoolers attempted to do Thursday as they competed in the National Geographic GeoBee.
Nicholas won the event, and Jon and Camila finished second and third, respectively.
“This is fun. Just relax and enjoy yourselves,” seventh-grade social studies teacher Christina Nilson told the group.
“It’s really about these kids getting out there and testing themselves. The questions can be a challenge,” she added.
The room was mostly silent as each contest was given 15 seconds to answer geography questions covering both U.S. and world trivia. After seven rounds, the two students with the highest number of correct answers advanced to the finals. Thursday, however, Camila and Jon tied for second and a playoff round ensued. Jon advanced after several tie-breaking questions eventually losing to Nicholas.
School champions, including Nicholas, will take an online qualifying test. Up to 100 of the top test-takers in Nebraska then become eligible to compete in the State GeoBee. If Nicholas can win at the state competition, he will be invited to participate in the GeoBee national championships this spring.
So while you may not win any cash and prizes yourself, if your answer to the opening question was Argentina, you were correct.