The Canadian Geographic Challenge

Information about the National Final

National Final organization

The National Final comprises three parts: a written test, a fieldwork exercise and a final round. The written and fieldwork tests will be administered online for finalists to complete independently during the official testing period as determined by the Challenge administrators. Finalists will be contacted by a Challenge administrator with the instructions and materials necessary to complete the written and fieldwork tests.

Scores from the written test and fieldwork exercise will be used to determine the top five finalists who will participate in the final round. Scores for the top five finalists will be reset upon entering the final round; the first two tests will not influence their score in the final round.

The top five finalists will be invited to participate virtually in the final round in a game show-like format. A host will animate the final round, guiding finalists as they compete in real-time against one another using a virtual platform and answering short-answer or one-word answer questions. The final round will be recorded and published to the Canadian Geographic Education YouTube channel for public viewing. The top five finalists will be contacted by a Challenge administrator to participate in a mandatory pre-event meeting to ensure all technology requirements for virtual participation are met.

Languages

The National Final will be held in both official languages of Canada. Students will have the option to compete in either English or French.

Prizes

The top 20 finalists from the Provincial/Territorial round receive a prize package by mail.

National finalists who achieve first, second, and third place will receive a cash prize, a medal and an all-expenses paid trip to attend the 95th annual Geographica Dinner in Ottawa, Ont., on November 6, 2024. Finalists who place fourth and fifth will receive a special gift by mail in recognition of their accomplishments.

Note: National Final prizes are subject to change on a year-by-year basis. The Can Geo Challenge administrators reserve the right to substitute a prize of equal or greater value for any of the contest prizes.

Viewing the Final Round

The first two parts of the National Final are private and not open to the public. A recording of the Final Round will be posted on Canadian Geographic Education's YouTube channel in June, 2024.