Students participated in a mini geography challenge and put Can Geo’s staff to shame

Prior to the event, Grade 7 and 8 classes at Roberta Bondar had each selected a few students to take part in a geography challenge on the RCGS’ Parks Canada giant floor map. Curtis led the teams in questions about Canadian places and spaces that stumped Canadian Geographic‘s editors — but not the participants!

The @BondarBlazers students are correctly answering geography questions that even stumped our editors! pic.twitter.com/HJO4JK7afk — Canadian Geographic (@CanGeo) May 3, 2016

Trebek led the last round of the geography challenge and it was almost as intense as Final Jeopardy

When all but two teams had been eliminated, the quizmaster himself took over to crown the geography champions of south Ottawa.

Alex Trebek leads @BondarBlazers students in the final Q of our mini geo challenge: how long is Canada’s coastline? pic.twitter.com/nXE2MUs6cR — Canadian Geographic (@CanGeo) May 3, 2016

Trebek got real about what it’s like hosting one of television’s longest-running quiz shows

After the geography challenge, Trebek took questions from the students. Many were curious about his experiences hosting Jeopardy!, which just wrapped its 32nd season. One student asked Trebek how he prepares for each show:

Trebek talks prepping for @Jeopardy: “I do what you guys do: I do my homework.” Says writers & researchers often challenge him. — Canadian Geographic (@CanGeo) May 3, 2016

Another asked Trebek his favourite part of hosting Jeopardy!:

Trebek’s fave part of his job? Spending time with smart people. “I hate spending time with stupid people,” he says. #dontweall ð?˜‰ — Canadian Geographic (@CanGeo) May 3, 2016

He also told a story about walking onto the Jeopardy! set without pants

One student wanted to know the strangest thing that ever happened to Trebek while taping Jeopardy! Trebek told a story about the time he overheard some of the game show’s championship finalists planning to prank him by coming out on set without pants on. Imagine their surprise when their host emerged from behind the scenes, sans trousers!

Giggles and rapt stares from @BondarBlazers students as Alex Trebek tells tale about hosting Jeopardy sans pants: pic.twitter.com/bjbMqO1YGj — Alexandra Pope (@XelaEpop) May 3, 2016

Trebek dispensed some amazing life advice

All joking aside, Trebek told the students he considers himself lucky to have landed in a career that he enjoys and excels at, and encouraged them to seek the same for themselves:

“Most important thing is finding something you’re good at, & that you enjoy doing. If you have that, the world is yours,” Trebek concludes. — Canadian Geographic (@CanGeo) May 3, 2016