MATHCOUNTS regional to pit students from 11 schools in competition
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - More than 80 "mathletes" from 11 area middle and junior high schools will test their math skills Feb. 13 at the MATHCOUNTS regional competition at Purdue University's Stewart Center.
MATHCOUNTS is a national math enrichment, coaching, and competition program that promotes middle school mathematics achievement across the United States.
After several months of coaching, participating schools select students to compete individually or as part of a team in one of the more than 500 regional competitions held nationwide. Winners at the regional level proceed to state competitions, where the top four "Mathletes" and top coach earn the right to represent their state or territory at the national level. At all levels, MATHCOUNTS challenges students' math skills, develops their self-confidence and rewards them for their achievements.
“We are very excited to host 11 schools this year," said Dr. Vincent Drnevich, Professor of Civil Engineering and co-director for Purdue's regional competition. "It is great to see so many schools and students getting involved in an academic event that emphasizes math concepts, problem solving skills, and teamwork,"
Competitors will come from Battle Ground Middle School, Central Middle School, East Tipp Middle School, Klondike Middle School, Lebanon Middle School, Southwestern Middle School, Tecumseh Middle School, Tuttle Middle School, West Lafayette Junior/Senior High School, Zionsville Middle School, and Zionsville West Middle School. Purdue's colleges of Engineering and Science, the I-STEM Resource Network, and the A.A. Potter Chapter of the Indiana Society of Professional Engineers are collaborating to sponsor and organize the event.
"MATHCOUNTS is a great opportunity to see students engaged in an exciting and challenging mathematics competition," said Jerry Woodward, Mathematics K-12 outreach coordinator and co-director for the event. "The most exciting parts of the competition include the team round, where students must work together to solve challenging problems, and the countdown round, where participants compete head-to-head and are eliminated until a champion is determined."
MATHCOUNTS provides regional, state and national tournaments for students in grades 6 through 8. These students begin training in the fall to compete in regional competitions in late winter. Each school team consists of 4 students. Students also have the option of competing as individuals to reach the state finals and become a member of the Indiana team for the national competition.
Events will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and are open to the public. At 10 a.m., there will be a meeting for parents to address questions about study in science, math, and engineering at Purdue. A meeting with the MathCounts coaches at 10:30 a.m. will focus on improved cooperation with them. The countdown round starts at 1 p.m. In this fast-moving event, the top students from the morning competition will compete in answering questions projected onto a screen. First- and second-place finishers will receive trophies. An awards ceremony will be around 2 p.m.
For more information about MATHCOUNTS, contact Vincent Drnevich at drnevich@purdue.edu or 765-494-5029, or Jerry Woodward at jwoodwar@purdue.edu or 765-494-9578.
Writer: Jim Bush, 765-494-2077, jsbush@purdue.edu,
Sources: Vincent Drnevich, 765-494-5029, drnevich@purdue.edu
Jerry Woodward, 765-494-9578, jwoodwar@purdue.edu