Alaska schools and homeschool associations with fourth through eighth graders are eligible to participate in the Geographic Bee. Not only is the contest a fun, educational activity, one winner from each state gets to attend the national meet in Washington, D.C.

Schools are asked to send a letter on school letterhead, enclosing the registration fee of $90 and designating a teacher to receive contest materials.

School bees are held from Nov. 14 to Jan. 13, the Alaska state bee is March 30 and the national bee is in May 2012. Visit National Geographic for more information.

Schools may send letters to National Geographic Bee, 1145 17th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20036. The Alaska Geographic Bee is sponsored by the UA Geography Program and the Alaska Geographic Alliance.

Marti Wynn is the state coordinator of the Geographic Bee.