KU News Release

KU to host competition to encourage excellence in math

LAWRENCE — The 34th annual MATHCOUNTS Topeka Regional Competition will be Saturday, Feb. 10, at the University of Kansas School of Engineering.

Seventh- and eighth-grade students from several area schools will compete in a timed mathematics competition, including the countdown round with a head-to-head contest in which students buzz in with the answer. Members of the Kansas Society of Professional Engineers, along with faculty and students from the KU School of Engineering, will administer, proctor and score. The event begins at 8 a.m. in Eaton Hall and runs through the early afternoon.

According to the organizers, MATHCOUNTS is a national math enrichment, coaching and competition program that promotes middle school success in mathematics by making math achievement as challenging, exciting and prestigious as a school sport. The mission of MATHCOUNTS is to increase enthusiasm for and enhance achievement in middle school mathematics throughout the United States.

The top four contestants will be awarded a $1,000 scholarship by the School of Engineering if they enroll in an engineering or computer science degree program at the school. Winners at the regional competition also will advance to the state contest March 10 in Salina.

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The University of Kansas is a major comprehensive research and teaching university. University Relations is the central public relations office for KU's Lawrence campus.