The show features 20 children between the ages of 8 and 12 from across the country, all competing for a $100,000 college fund and the title of Child Genius 2014.[1] Each week the remaining competitors go head in to head in various mental challenges testing their knowledge of: Math, Spelling, Geography, Memory, the Human Body, U.S. Presidents, Vocabulary, Current Events, Zoology, Astronomy and Space, Inventions, Literature and the Arts, Earth Science and Logic. The competition is moderated by former NASA astronaut Leland D. Melvin, with additional judging provided by North American MENSA representative, Matt Stern, and Jeopardy! champion, Pam Mueller. Challenges took place at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles, California, California
The series premiered on January 6, 2015, on Lifetime.[1]
The second season retitled as Child Genius: Battle of the Brightest premiered on January 7, 2016. This season's cast only consisted of 12 geniuses between the ages of 9 and 12. Additionally, Lisa Van Gemert (who was featured during Season 1 for asides) became the new representative for American MENSA, and Dr. Timothy Gunn replaced Pam Mueller as question validator.
ROUND 1: Mathematics Each competitor was given two minutes to answer as many mathematics question as they could. Question consisted of adding and multiplying a series of number together (i.e. 526 + 216 + 345). For the first minute competitors were allowed to use a pencil and paper to solve, but for the second minute they could only use their minds.
ROUND 2: Geography Competitors were given 90 seconds to answer as many geography related questions as possible.
ROUND 1: Human Anatomy The remaining 15 competitors were given 10 Human Anatomy questions.
ROUND 2: Memory Each competitor was given a full deck of playing cards in a different order. With only one hour to memorize, the competitors had to recite the order of their cards. Once they got one wrong, or could not remember any more cards they were out.
ROUND 1: Vocabulary The remaining 12 geniuses were given 3 minutes to answer up to ten questions about Vocabulary.
ROUND 2: Astronomy Competitors were given 90 seconds to answer up to 10 questions about Astronomy.
High Scores:
First Place: Graham - 18 (10 Vocabulary, 8 Astronomy)
Second Place: Vanya - 17 (10 Vocabulary, 7 Astronomy)
Third Place: Katherine - 16 (8 Vocabulary, 8 Astronomy)***Tanishq also received a 16 Composite Score, However, per the rules, a tiebreaker goes to the competitor with the more even spread of scores, which goes to Katherine.
Eliminated:
Adi - ? (? Vocabulary, ? Astronomy)
Alexa - 3 (1 Vocabulary, 2 Astronomy)
4
"Triskaidekaphobia"
January 27, 2015 (2015-01-27)
n/a
ROUND 1: Zoology Competitors were given 90 seconds to answers up to 10 questions about Zoology, such as classification, identification, and anatomy.
ROUND 2: Spelling Competitors were given 10 words to spell.
High Scores:
First Place: Graham - 17 (9 Zoology, 8 Spelling)**Second Place: Tanishq - 17 (9 Zoology, 8 Spelling)**Third Place: Katherine - 17 (9 Zoology, 8 Spelling)***Graham, Tanishq, and Katherine all received the same composite score, as well as the same spread. This led to a secondary tiebreaker which gave the win to whoever had the most correct answers in a row.
Eliminated:
Katie - 8 (1 Zoology, 7 Spelling)
Kellan - 6 (5 Zoology, 1 Spelling)
5
"You Signed Up For This"
February 3, 2015 (2015-02-03)
n/a
ROUND 1: U.S. Presidents Each competitor was given 2 minutes to answer up to 15 questions about the U.S. Presidents
ROUND 2: LogicCompetitors were given 5 minutes to solve up to 15 logic problems.
High Scores:
First Place: Ryan - 22 (8 U.S. Presidents, 14 Logic)
Second Place: Yeji - 21 (9 U.S. Presidents, 12 Logic)
Third Place: Graham - 19 (11 U.S. Presidents, 8 Logic)
Eliminated:
Tanishq - 15 (6 U.S. Presidents, 9 Logic)
Jason - 10 (2 U.S. Presidents, 8 Logic)
6
"These Kids Are Like Cheetahs"
February 10, 2015 (2015-02-10)
n/a
ROUND 1: Current Events The remaining 6 competitors were each given 2 and a half minutes to answer up to 15 questions relating to current world and historical events.
ROUND 2: Earth Sciences Each genius has 2 2 and a half minutes to answer up to 15 questions relating to Earth Sciences (including Biology and Geology)
High Scores:
Katherine - 25 (10 Current Events, 15 Earth Sciences)
Eliminated:
Binyamin - 12 (7 Current Events, 5 Earth Sciences)
As of this episode there was only one top scorer named, and one competitor eliminated
ROUND 1: Inventions The remaining 5 geniuses will have 2 and a half minutes to answer up to 15 questions about technology, inventions, and inventors that have changed society.
ROUND 2: Literature & Arts Competitors are given 2 and a half minutes to answer up to 15 questions about literature, drama, and art.
High Scores:
Vanya - 23 (11 Inventions, 12 Literature & Arts)
Eliminated:
Ryan - 12 (5 Inventions, 7 Literature & Arts)
8
"We All Want to Win, Right?"
February 24, 2015 (2015-02-24)
n/a
ROUND 1: Sudden Death The Final Four Competitors each received 5 minutes to answer up to 25 questions ranging from all 14 topics. The finalist with the lowest score after the round would be eliminated.
Eliminated:
Katherine - 7/25
ROUND 2: Academic Olympiad The remaining 3 geniuses were given 10 minutes to answer up to 50 questions from all 14 subjects covered throughout the competition. The competitor with the most correct answers would be named Child Genius 2015
2nd Runner-Up: Graham - 18/50 $5,000 Academic Scholarship
It's the first week of the Child Genius competition, and twelve 9–12 year old Child Geniuses, with high achieving, driven parents in tow, prepare to battle it out in this week's rounds--math and memory--all hoping to win a one hundred thousand dollar college fund prize and the title of "Child Genius."
ROUND 1: Mathematics Each competitor has 2 and a half minutes to answer up to 10 mathematics questions (including simple operations and percentages). Players were allowed to use pencil and paper for the first minute, but not the remaining minute and a half.
ROUND 2: Memory Each competitor was given a full deck of playing cards in a different order. With only one hour to memorize, the competitors had to recite the order of their cards. Once they got one wrong, or could not remember any more cards they were out.
High Scores:
First Place: Chancellor (59)
Second Place: Claire/Arnav (28)
Eliminated:
Jenna - n/a
Jenna forfeited the Memory round due to a meltdown and chose not to participate in the ceremony, therefore quitting the competition.
2 (10)
"Silicon Valley is All About Taking Risks"
January 14, 2016 (2016-01-14)
TBD
ROUND 1: Spelling Each competitor is given 10 words to spell.
ROUND 2: Geography Each competitor has to answer up to 10 geography related questions.
High Scores:
First Place: Claire - 20
Second Place: Arnav/Adrian/Vivek - 17
Eliminated:
Drake - 1
3 (11)
"My Husband is Becoming a Tiger Dad"
January 21, 2016 (2016-01-21)
TBD
ROUND 1: U.S. History Each competitor has to answer up to 10 questions relating to the history of the United States.
ROUND 2: Logic Each competitor were given to solve 10 logic problems.
High Scores:
First Place: Arnav - 18
Second Place: Adrian/Claire/Vivek - 15
Eliminated:
Selah - 8
4 (12)
"Pull Yourself Together"
January 28, 2016 (2016-01-28)
TBD
ROUND 1: Current Events
ROUND 2: Human Body
High Scores:
First Place: Adrian/Jaden - 19
Second Place: Arnav/Iris/Vivek - 18
Eliminated: Gianna
5 (13)
"Good Is Not Gonna Cut It"
February 4, 2016 (2016-02-04)
TBD
ROUND 1: Literature and Fine Arts Each competitor are given to answer 10 questions based on arts, literature, and drama.
ROUND 2: Vocabulary Competitors are given 10 vocabulary questions.
High Scores:
First Place: Adrian/Arnav/Claire/Vivek - 20
Second Place: Sam/Jaden - 18
Eliminated: Iris - 14
6 (14)
"This Is an Outrage!"
February 11, 2016 (2016-02-11)
TBD
ROUND 1: Advanced Math Each competitor is given 10 math problems to solve but at a higher level of complexity.
ROUND 2: Speed Memory
High Scores:
First Place: Arnav - 18
Second Place: Claire/Chancellor/Sam - 17
Eliminated: Jaden - 14
7 (15)
"I Really Seriously Really Wanna Win"
February 18, 2016 (2016-02-18)
TBD
ROUND 1: Advanced Spelling Each competitor are given ten college-level words to spell to which they spell forwards, backwards, and they will have to unscramble the word on the monitor and spell them.
ROUND 2: World Landmarks
High Scores:
First Place: Sam - 18
Second Place: Vivek - 16
Eliminated: Chancellor - 12
8 (16)
"Mom, You're Confusing Me!"
February 25, 2016 (2016-02-25)
TBD
ROUND 1: Advanced Logic
ROUND 2: World History
High Scores:
First Place: Adrian - 20
Second Place: Arnav - 18
Eliminated: Vivek - 11
9 (17)
"You'll Be First or Last"
March 3, 2016 (2016-03-03)
TBD
ROUND 1: Advanced Science
ROUND 2: Specialty Subject Each competitor chose a topic that they knew well.
High Scores:
First Place: Adrian - 19
Second Place: Arnav/Claire - 18
Eliminated: Sam - 17
Reception
This section is empty. You can help by adding to it. (August 2020)
![[icon]](File:Wiki_letter_w_cropped.svg){kind=small}
