French International School student Max Oltmanns named Pennsylvania National Geographic State Bee semifinalist by National Geographic Society

March 6, 2018

In which country is the easternmost part of the Horn of Africa located? What is the term for the physical location where a plant or animal lives? In which U.S. state do the North Platte River and South Platte River meet? By correctly answering questions like these, Max Oltmanns, an eighth grader at the French International School of Philadelphia, has qualified to compete in the 2018 Pennsylvania National Geographic State Bee. The contest will be held at the State Museum of Pennsylvania in Harrisburg on Friday, April 6, 2018. 

The State Bee is the second level of the National Geographic Bee competition, which is open to fourth through eighth grade students and is now in its 30th year. School Bees were held in schools throughout Pennsylvania earlier this academic year to determine each school’s champion. School champions then took a qualifying test, and the National Geographic Society has invited the 100 top-scoring students, including Oltmanns, to compete in the State Bee. The winner of the Pennsylvania State Bee will advance to the National Geographic Bee Championship, to be held at the National Geographic Society headquarters in Washington, D.C. from May 20 to 23, 2018.