Academic WorldQuest 2024
Are you a Kansas or Missouri high school student looking to put your global knowledge to the test? Grab three friends and get ready to go head to head with teams around Kansas City at our 19th Annual Academic WorldQuest Competition!
Local Competition 2024: Saturday, March 2 from 12pm to 4pm at KU Edwards Campus
National Competition 2024: Friday to Saturday, April 19 & 20 in Washington D.C.
What is Academic WorldQuest?
Each year since 2006, the IRC has offered high school students the chance to showcase their knowledge of world affairs, geography, history, and world events. Teams compete by answering ten multiple choice questions in ten different rounds. Each round has questions about topics that are determined by the World Affairs Council of America. All of the information that students need to answer competition questions is available for download in the Official Student Study Guide above.
Each area high schools may register one or more teams of four students, plus a faculty sponsor. Multiple teams from the same school may share a sponsor. Participation is entirely cost-free for schools and the winning team will receive an expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., for the students and their sponsor to participate in the national Academic WorldQuest competition in late April. The Official Student Study Guide is used for both local and national Academic WorldQuest competitions.
Why should schools participate?
Academic WorldQuest offers numerous benefits for students and teachers, including:
- Exploring global topics and issues that are compatible with and enhance the study of many existing curricula and AP courses
- Preparing for future international studies and careers in the global economy
- Interacting with area students and teachers who are interested in global affairs
- Meeting representatives from area companies and universities and hear about future international opportunities
- Winning valuable prizes, including gift certificates for many participants and an expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., for the winning team
There is no cost for schools to register! Schools may register one or more teams of four students plus a faculty sponsor, and multiple teams from the same school may share a sponsor. In addition, entire classes are welcome to use the study materials and explore competition topics together.
Official 2024 Topics:
- The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO): Alliance and Collective Defense in a Changing World
- Demographic Dividends – Population Shift in Africa
- The Global South
- Sports and Diplomacy
- Country in Focus: South Korea
- Promoting a Green Europe
- Women’s Contributions to Track II Diplomacy
- Navigating AI: The Global Workforce
- Great Decisions
- Current Events
Past Academic WorldQuest Winners
2023: Shawnee Mission East High School
2022: Bishop Seabury Academy
2021: Bishop Seabury Academy
2019: Shawnee Mission East High School
2018: Blue Valley North High School
2017: Washburn High School
2016: Shawnee Mission South High School
2014: Rockhurst High School
2013: Shawnee Mission North High School
2012: Shawnee Mission East High School
2011: Shawnee Mission South High School
2010: Olathe South High School
2009: Shawnee Mission Center for International Studies
2008: Shawnee Mission East High School
2007: Shawnee Mission East High School
2006: Rockhurst High School