Contest tests knowledge of world history

The month of March and the phrase "Countdown to the Final Four" bring visions of basketball to the minds of most.

At Noblesville Intermediate School, Countdown to the Final Four is a competition, but it?s one that tests students' knowledge of world history.

This year's tournament involved each one of the school?s sixth-grade students.

Although world history is not a part of the curriculum at NIS, students will be studying it in later years, said Mr. Dennis Flak who brought the idea of the competition from another school where he had taught. He coordinated the tournament with the help of a core group of teachers.

The topics students were being quizzed on ranged from Julius Caesar and Martin Luther to the Vikings, the defeat of the Spanish armada, and the postage stamp.

In the beginning, students were given a study guide to help them prepare for competition and three weeks to review it. The students were divided into four-person teams and competition within the school's academic teams narrowed the field of contestants to 64 teams.

It took two rounds of tough competition to come up with the "Sweet 16." Once those teams were selected, competition intensified.

The final 16 teams were given a second study guide and another week to review.

On March 17, all sixth-grade students gathered in the cafeteria to witness the head-to-head competition. While teachers fired off question after question, the teams battled to be the first to ring their buzzer and shout their answers.

With classmates cheering their friends, the field was narrowed to the Final Four, and finally to the winners - Tyler, Jill, Paul, and Ashley from the Adventurers team. The Explorers put in a good show, claiming the other three spots in the Final Four.

"It was impressive to see what the kids were doing with this, and it was great to see them so excited and cheering for each other in an academic competition," Mr. Flak said.

Teachers hope to continue the competition next year, but involve both students in fifth grade as well.