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!
[1] The second season retitled as Child Genius: Battle of the Brightest premiered on January 7, 2016.
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 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) 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 1: Sudden Death The Final Four Competitors each received 5 minutes to answer up to 25 questions ranging from all 14 topics.
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.