Boston middle schooler Lucy Chae competes in National Geographic Bee

This week, Boston’s own Lucy Chae represented Massachusetts at the 27th annual National Geographic Bee, in Washington, D.C. Fifty-four of the nation’s top geography students, ranging from fifth to eighth grade, competed for a $50,000 scholarship and a trip to the Galapagos Island, answering questions about places most of us adults have never even heard of. Lucy, a 12-year-old seventh grader at Charles E. Brown Middle School in Newton Centre, was among just 10 kids to advance to the final rounds. We caught up with her afterwards and asked her about her dream vacation and if she had any studying tips for us.

What makes geography so cool?

I like that that it can help you understand the world, especially stuff in the news. I can watch the news and know where it’s taking place.

What place do you like learning about the most?

I like learning about deserts. It’s so interesting to think about a place where it doesn’t rain — it’s just fascinating.

What do you want to be when you grow up?

An astronomer or a musician — I play violin and piano, and I’m in the orchestra at school.

You must be a real pro at studying — do you have any tips?

I only really studied for a couple months; other kids have been preparing for years. But, I just do little things, like carry around an atlas in school or read Wikipedia every day.

If you could travel to any place in the world, where would you go?

Maybe Iceland to see the volcanoes, or Mt. Everest to see the snow.

Catch Lucy in the final round of the National Geographic Bee on Nat Geo WILD Wednesday, May 20, at 7 p.m.