Middle and high school students across Michigan will test their knowledge of Chinese language, culture and geography during the fifth annual Michigan China Quiz Bowl, sponsored by the Confucius Institute at Wayne State University.

The event is scheduled from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on April 13, at L'Anse Creuse High School North, 23700 Twenty One Mile Road, in Macomb, Mich.

Non-heritage Chinese language learners will compete in first- through third-year middle school divisions and first- through fourth-year high school divisions. Multiple teams of two to four students may represent each division for their school.

"The Michigan China Quiz Bowl has served as an enjoyable venue to motivate, recognize and celebrate Michigan students and their accomplishments," said John Brender, director of Wayne State's Confucius Institute.

"Last year, we hosted 262 students from 17 schools, more than tripling the number of participants who joined us five years ago. At the end of last year's competition, one student came up and told me she had taken part in each of our last four China Quiz Bowls and thanked me for making them happen. What could be better than hearing that?"

Trophies featuring decorative Chinese teacups donated by the Center for Chinese Studies at the University of Michigan will be presented to first, second, third, and fourth place teams in each of the Michigan China Quiz Bowl divisions. This is the first year that third and fourth place prizes will be awarded.

The Confucius Institutes at the University of Michigan and Wayne State University will co-sponsor a contemporary Chinese musical performance after the morning competitions. Lunch will be provided for participants, coaches and volunteers. Final round competitions will be held on stage immediately after lunch.

Based on the Michigan Japan Quiz Bowl sponsored by the Michigan Japanese Teachers Association since 1993, the Michigan China Quiz Bowl is a competition where teams from middle and high schools across Michigan test their knowledge of Chinese language and geography. A growing number of teams have entered the annual competition since its inception in 2009, when 72 participants from nine schools took part in the competition. Those numbers have grown in four years to 262 students from 17 schools.

The Confucius Institute is a center within the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Wayne State University whose mission is to promote Chinese language and culture to K-12 schools, the university community, and professional communities throughout Southeast Michigan and beyond.

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