Archive: Around Town

Lansing Middle School students participated in the Northeastern United States Thinking Cap Quiz Bowl. Fifty-five teams from Maryland, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania participated. The team from Lansing Middle School in Lansing, New York won first place (of 26 competing teams) in the 5th grade division of the Northeast Thinking Cap Quiz Bowl.  Lansing's 5th grade's high score was 1237. Second place in 5th grade was won by Coopertown School in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania with a great 1193. A fine 6th grade score of 1174 score won a first team trophy and ribbons for Park Forest Middle School in State College, Pennsylania. Lansing Middle School won second place (of 26 competing teams) in the 6th grade division with their nice 1156.


Lansing’s seventh grade took third place (of 23  teams)  and the eighth grade took seventh place (of 42 teams).

The tests are self-scoring computer contests of 100 multiple-choice questions. Areas covered include math, geography, government, sports, spelling, science, literature, English, history, general information and just plain fun trivia. It is meant to be a team activity with all takers around one computer. Two chances to answer correctly are given. Points are awarded based on how fast they answer as well as on accuracy. Therefore, teams who do well usually are teams who can come up with a consensus answer quickly.

An adult is needed to monitor but no adult help can be given. Scoring works as follows: students are given two chances to answer each question. A total of 60 seconds is allowed for each question. If the correct answer is given on the first try, ten points are awarded, plus bonus points based on the speed of the answer are earned as follows: 
60-56 seconds 5 points,  55-51 seconds 4 points, 50-56 seconds 3 points, 45-41 seconds 2 points, 
40-36 seconds 1 point and 35- 0 seconds 0 points.

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