Student 'Mathletes' Coming to Campus for MATHCOUNTS Competition

Approximately 250 middle school Mathletes® from 31 Hartford County schools will compete in the 2013 Hartford Chapter MATHCOUNTS Competition at the University of Hartford on Saturday, Feb. 2, from 12:30 to 3 p.m. in Gengras Student Union.

Teachers and students have been preparing for the competition since the fall. Students will compete individually and as teams in written and fast-paced oral matches on subjects that include algebra, probability, statistics, and geometry.

Chapter winners will advance to the statewide competition on March 9, which also will be held at the University of Hartford. Winners of the statewide competition will advance to the Raytheon MATHCOUNTS National Competition to be held in Washington, DC, on May 10.

During Saturday's event, Robert L. Devaney from Boston University will discuss some of the amazing new fractal images to come out of the new field in mathematics known as dynamical systems. Come and hear Devaney's talk and watch the final, fast-paced oral round, in which the top 16 Mathletes® will compete against each other and the clock to solve problems.

MATHCOUNTS is a national program designed to improve math skills among the nation’s students. The program focuses on middle school students who are at a crucial stage in developing and sustaining math interest and ability. Students who do not begin developing strong problem-solving, logical thinking and analytical abilities in middle school will face an uphill battle later in life if they wish to pursue a medical, scientific, mathematical, engineering or technical career.

The Hartford Chapter MATHCOUNTS Competition is organized by the Connecticut Society of Professional Engineers, hosted by the University of Hartford and sponsored by engineering firms and businesses in the Greater Hartford area.