What is Academic WorldQuest?
Academic WorldQuest (AWQ) is a national academic competition that challenges competitors’ knowledge of international affairs in areas like geography, history, current events, culture and more. In teams of four, high school students work together to answer 10 rounds of 10 multiple choice questions on critical global issues.
While in Missoula, competitors also participate in two full days of educational programming. Each year our founder, Ambassador Mark Johnson, gives his keynote “State of the World” address, a panel of international students from the University of Montana discuss their different cultures, and students collaborate in small groups to solve a “Global Team Challenge” designed by the Davidson Honors College.
Teachers: interested in bringing a team?
Contact us today at info@montanaworldaffairs.org.
“Without my exposure to global health through WorldQuest, I may never have discovered my passion for this sector. Thank you for all of the work you do, from hosting WorldQuest at UM to our experience in DC. I will never forget it and will always be indebted to WAC.” – Mariel (AWQ)
The state champions have the opportunity to travel to Washington D.C. to represent Montana at the National AWQ Competition. While in Washington, teams are exposed to a variety of unique experiences, such as dinner at an embassy and a tour of the State Department. This exciting program is generously sponsored by the Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation. In addition, AWQ provides students from the winning team a $1,000 scholarship to the University of Montana, courtesy of the University President’s Office.
Academic WorldQuest prepares students for international studies and careers in the global sector. The topics are compatible with and enhance the study of many existing curriculums and AP and IB courses and supplement participation in Model United Nations and Speech and Debate. It is our hope that participating in AWQ provides Montana students with a sense of what is going on in the world and what is possible on the global stage while demonstrating that we are all part of something larger. This program is more than a competition; it is our opportunity to engage our youth in conversations about international affairs and responsible citizenship.
Although it is now the Council’s largest education initiative, AWQ began in 2005 with only three teams and has grown to include almost 60 teams from around the state. Over the years, teams have traveled to Missoula from all corners of Montana, including Libby, Lodge Pole, St. Regis, Gardiner, Billings, Wolf Point, Lincoln, and Noxon, to participate in the competition.
