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November 16, 2009
D.C. Students Compete in 5th Annual GeoPlunge Tournament
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Contact:
Safiya J. Simmons
| (202) 480-0857
WASHINGTON, DC – On Friday November 20, District of Columbia Public School (DCPS) students will compete in the 5th Annual GeoPlunge Tournament, presented by Arent Fox LLP, and the Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights.
The tournament invites 80 teams of fifth and sixth grade students from District schools to participate in a geography card game. The game’s premise is teaching students about each of the states, including their capitals, locations, birds and flags, as well as information about their populations, ranks (in size and time entering the union), and their largest cities.
The study of physical and cultural geography can help students understand the rise and fall of empires, trace the emigration of people across time, and understand the process of conflict and compromise.
In an effort to expand the competition and provide a context for the geographical breadth of the United States, the organizers partnered with a new venue. This year the tournament will be held at the recently renovated Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, marking the first time the event has been open to the public. In addition to parents and school community members, visitors to the museum will have the opportunity to join in the fun and cheer on the students.
Museum Director Brent D. Glass will make remarks to the teams and winners will be presented with trophies by DCPS Chancellor Michelle Rhee.
The agenda of the day follows:
9-9:30am: Arrival
10:00am: Competition Begins
11:45-12:45pm: Lunch
12:45-2:00pm: Competition Resumes
2-2:30pm: Presentation of trophies and awards
Teams are sponsored to participate by local law firms. Last year, 48 teams participated representing 40 different DCPS elementary and middle school students. The winning team, from J.O. Wilson Elementary School, won for the second straight year.
For more information about the game, please visit www.geoplunge.com.
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