The U.S. Academic Decathlon® is excited to announce that the overall curricular theme for 2021–2022 will be Water: A Most Essential Resource. Following is some general information on the topics in each of the subject areas.

• SCIENCE: The science topic will be an introduction to marine biology.

• LITERATURE: The literature curriculum will include critical reading, one long work of literature, and selected shorter works. The long work of literature will be The Sea-Wolf by Jack London.

• ART: The art curriculum will explore the impact of water on art, including subtopics such as ink wash painting, watercolor, water as a subject of art, and the use of water in architecture, sculpture, and environmental art.

• MUSIC: The music curriculum will explore the many ways water has influenced music, from musical instruments that rely on water to compositions inspired by water.

• SOCIAL SCIENCE: The social science topic will be the impact of water on human history.

• ECONOMICS: The economics curriculum will cover fundamental economic concepts, microeconomics, and macroeconomics and will include a thematic section on the economics of water.

• MATHEMATICS: The mathematics curriculum will cover permutations and combinations, algebra, and statistics.

• ESSAY: Students will be given the choice to write on one of three prompts from any of the subject areas

• INTERVIEW: Students will be interviewed for seven minutes and asked various questions including future plans, past accomplishments, etc

• SPEECH: Students will prepare a 3½ to 4 minute speech on a topic of their choice. They will also be given one minute to prepare a 1½ to 2 minute impromptu speech after presenting their prepared speech