Place to bee

A 10-year-old homeschooler battled to victory last week in a test of geographic knowledge that would stymie most college graduates. Calvin McCarter of Jenison, Mich., won the National Geographic Bee by telling host Alex Trebek that China is the location of the Lop Nur nuclear test site.

Calvin, standing just 4'6", defeated a roomful of bigger kids, some of them teenagers, to claim the Bee's top prize, a $25,000 college scholarship and a lifetime subscription to National Geographic. Among the questions Mr. Trebek posed to the young competitors: What is the name of the warm, dry mountain winds in Europe? (Answer: Foehn.) What country claims as its territories the islands of Muhu, Hiiumaa and Saaremaa? (Answer: Estonia.)

Of the final 10 contestants in the National Geographic Bee, three are homeschooled. A team of homeschoolers also claimed victory earlier this month in the National High School Mock Trial Championship, held in St. Paul, Minn.