USC hosts 26th annual high school Math Day competition
Pueblo -- The 26th annual Math Day competition will return to the University
of Southern Colorado campus this Thursday, (Nov. 21).
Janet Nichols, USC assistant professor of mathematics, started Math Day to
encourage students in mathematics and to serve as a recruitment tool for USC and
its math department.
Students from Cheyenne Mountain to Antonito and Rangely to Las Animas will
attend this year's Math Day; a total of 26 high schools and more than 300 high
school students will be represented at USC on Thursday, according to Nichols.
"Math Day attempts to recognize students and schools that excel in their
math skills and/or achievement levels," said James Derr, USC math professor
and math department chair. "We try to make students aware of the many
career paths available to people with strong math skills."
The day will include the Swanson Competition, which is named after Clarence
Swanson, a long time chair of the math department. The 80-minute, written test
offers students from southern Colorado high schools the opportunity to vie
against each other for six trophies. The Swanson tests students' knowledge with
in-depth problem solving questions.
"The Swanson exam is extremely hard," said Judy Jenkins, a Swink High
School math teacher, who has brought her students since she started at Swink in
1980.
Jenkins still takes her students because they enjoy getting to be on the college
campus where people are excited about math. "It gives them a boost and they
are on a math high for at least a week after Math Day," Jenkins said.
There is also the Bowl Competition that occurs six times throughout the day.
This contest requires two three-person teams to go head-to-head in a 15-minute
race for points. Each team is alternately given a mathematical question and has
25 seconds to respond. The team with the most points then goes to the semi-final
round.
The high school teachers who attend will have the opportunity to talk with USC
faculty and attend presentations sponsored by the math department regarding
trends and issues facing the world of mathematics.
"It's the first time I got to see a graphic calculator," said Sue
Smith, the math teacher from Ellicott High School. "I'm able to take what I
learn in those presentations and apply it in my classes."
Smith learned about Math Day through a flyer Nichols mailed 26 years ago.
"We've been going ever since," Smith said.
The day culminates at the grand finale celebration where students and teams are
given awards. There will also be a raffle this year sponsored by the USC Math
Club.
As a fund raiser, the 15-member student club is selling $1 raffle tickets
offering participants the chance to win an 18 by 24 inch fractal poster and a
T-shirt with a fractal design on the back. A fractal looks somewhat similar to a
kaleidoscope design, but the design is derived through a series of mathematical
equations.
"The T-shirts were very popular last year," said Hortensia Soto-Johnson,
USC math professor and Math Club sponsor.
For those who do not wish to chance winning the raffle, T-shirts can be
purchased for $12 throughout the day.
"Math Day is a success because of the hard work of many faculty and
students, together with the support of high school math teachers in the region
who regularly attend the event," said Derr.
"My students never knew competing in math could be that much fun,"
said Smith who brings 10 to 20 students each year. "They love the
competition and how exciting it is."
Smith and Jenkins both said there are even some success stories of students who
have attended Math Day.
"Ed Repholf, the captain of our team five years ago, is now working on his
doctorate in mathematics in Santa Barbara, Calif.," Smith said.
"Ricky Lovato is now a math teacher at Cheraw High School," Jenkins
said.
Math Day Activities will take place in several USC buildings, including the
Physics/Math building, Chemistry building and Psychology building. For further
information, please call Janet Nichols at (719-549-2642.
The University of Southern Colorado is a regional, comprehensive university
emphasizing professional, career-oriented, and applied programs. Displaying
excellence in teaching, celebrating diversity, and engaging in service and
outreach, USC is distinguished by access, opportunity, and the overall quality
of services provided to its students.
