Each year our middle school students all have the opportunity to qualify for our geography bee in their social studies classes.   Students are asked a series of geography questions in a competition format to determine which students have the strongest foundation and knowledge of the geographic regions of our world.   Nine students qualify to participate in the final round of the geography bee in front of our middle school audience.   The winner of this competition takes a written test to try and advance to the regional competition at which time he or she competes against students from schools throughout the Twin Cities.   This experience helps our students understand the importance of heightening their awareness of the world around them.