Scotland has demonstrated its prowess in geography, with Scottish pupils winning the UK Worldwise championship for the second year in a row.

As a result, one Scottish team of pupils recently returned from a geography competition in Taiwan, while another group is set to compete on the international stage.

Every year, the Scottish Association of Geography Teachers runs a Worldwise competition for teams of young geographers from schools across the country.

Teams consist of three members (S2, S3 and S4) who are examined on anything from the rivers of Africa to the London underground in a series of local heats, culminating in a Scottish final.

Last year, James Young High in Livingston, West Lothian, joined winners from the other home nations at a fieldwork-based challenge competition at England’s Malham Cove. The Scots were declared joint UK champions and in July, two members of the James Young High team and two members of the English team represented Britain at a global Worldwise competition in Taipei, Taiwan.

This year, Aberdeen Grammar won the UK finals in the Lake District. The team is now waiting to hear where the world finals for 2011 will be held.

Elaine Batty, principal teacher of geography at James Young High, said: “The youngsters really enjoy taking part in the competition and the fieldwork allows them to experience being away from home and mixing with other youngsters. Thanks to their trip to Taipei, our pupils now have friends all over the world.”

www.sagt.org.uk.