Special Events

Canadian Geographic Challenge

Grades 4-6

Level 1 Grades 4-6

Level 1 is open to students in grades 4-6. It focuses on developing fundamental geographic facts and skills and igniting passion in students’ early academic careers.

Students participate in the Classroom and School rounds, finishing the competition by naming one School Champion. All School Champions receive a certificate, a medal and a one-year magazine subscription to Canadian Geographic.

Classroom Rounds: April 9

School Rounds: April 16

Sample Questions

The proboscis monkey lives on this tropical island, which is the third largest in the world.
The Forbidden City, a former imperial complex, is considered the largest ancient
palatial structure in the world. It was the home of 24 emperors. In which country is the
Forbidden City located?

Register by Friday, February 5

Registration Link

How Do I Prepare Myself?

1) Prepare yourself by exploring these sites when you have some free time.

2) Browse through encyclopedias in Learn Alberta Online Resource Centre (Be sure to ask your teacher for the school’s password!)

3) These sites go in-depth on some topics:

Paths to Reconciliation – about residential schools in Canada
The Re:Location Program – about stories of community relocations
The Energy IQ Program – about energy production, transmission and use

4) Every once in a while a quiz will be posted on this page. You will be notified when a new quiz has been posted. Participate in those quizzes when you can

5) Explore sites and resources of which you are already aware.

Grades 7-9

Level 2 Grades 7-9

Level 2 encourages students in grades 7-10 to push the limits of their geographic knowledge and apply their geographic thinking skills.

The competition begins with the Classroom round and progresses to the School round to name a School Champion. The School Champion is then invited to compete in the Provincial/Territorial round.

Of the Provincial/Territorial winners, a total of 20 of Canada’s best geography students will be invited to participate in the National Final in May 2021. In the past, the National Final has been held at The Royal Canadian Geographical Society headquarters at 50 Sussex, in Ottawa, Ont. This is subject to change in accordance with safety precautions for COVID-19. More information about the National Final will be released closer to the date.

Level 2 School Champions receive a certificate, a medal and a one-year magazine subscription to Canadian Geographic. The Provincial/Territorial champions receive a prize package. National finalists receive prizes for first, second and third place. National Final prizes are subject to change on a year-by-year basis. The Can Geo Challenge Committee reserves the right to substitute a prize of equal or greater value for any of the contest prizes.

Classroom Rounds: March 5

School Rounds: March 12