New Kensington

Campus hosts American Math Competition for high school students

Penn State New Kensington is the host site for the American Mathematics Competition 12 from 8:30 a.m. to noon on Wednesday, Feb. 25.

More than 160 students from eight high schools in the western Pennsylvania region — Apollo Ridge, Burrell, Franklin Regional, Kiski Area, Knoch, Leechburg, Riverview, and Valley — are taking the 25-question, 75-minute, multiple-choice examination in secondary school mathematics. The problems are solved with pre-calculus concepts.

David Wells, associate professor of mathematics at the campus, organized the event. He will administer the test and deliver the keynote address.

An author of two books on AMC contests, Wells is the chair of the Mathematical Association of America's Committee on the American Mathematics Competitions. The committee deals with policy issues involving the contests.

AMC 12 and AMC 10 are administered annually to more than 200,000 high school students to help identify the students with truly exceptional mathematics talent. The main purpose of the competitions is to spur interest in mathematics and to develop talent through solving challenging problems in a timed multiple-choice format. The AMC 10 is restricted to students in grades 10 and below, while the AMC 12 is open to all students through grade 12.

The AMC 12 is one in a series of examinations, followed in the United States by the American Invitational Examination and the USA Mathematical Olympiad, that culminate in participation in the International Mathematical Olympiad, the most prestigious and difficult secondary mathematics examination in the world. Students who are among the very best receive indication of how they stand relative to other students in the country and around the globe.

In addition to organizing national contests, Wells is the director of the Mathematics League, an annual academic competition among the eight local high schools. Sponsored by the StrongLand Chamber of Commerce and held on New Kensington campus, the league puts the students' math skills to the test by giving them the opportunity to go head-to-head with each other. The questions in algebra, geometry and other areas of mathematics are developed by Wells.

The 2009 Math League championship is set for 8:30 a.m. on March 31 in the campus' Forum Theatre. The first round was held on Oct. 23 and the current leader is Burrell School District's "A" team with 38 points, followed by Kiski Area School District's "A" team, 37 points, Valley "A" team, 36 points, and Apollo-Ridge “A,” 35 points.

Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the Mathematical Association of America is a professional society that focuses on mathematics accessible at the undergraduate level.

For the Math League leader board, visit http://www.nk.psu.edu/41620.htm#NEWS41620.
 

 

Last Updated March 19, 2009

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