Washburn to host math competition

Middle school students from the area will compete Saturday in the MATHCOUNTS Topeka regional competition at Washburn University.

The event is hosted by the Kansas Society of Professional Engineers (KSPE) and Washburn University's mathematics and statistics and education departments. Topeka, Lawrence and Emporia-area middle school students nominated by their math teachers will go through four rounds of testing with Washburn students facilitating the tests.

“Our department looks forward to working with KSPE and supporting the Topeka regional testing every year,” said Kevin Charlwood, chairman of Washburn's department of mathematics and statics. “Our faculty and students get to share our enjoyment of math and encourage middle school students to pursue their interest in math. We are particularly excited to host the state finals this year.”

The competition begins at 8:30 a.m. with the Sprint Round. Three more rounds follow, some with calculators allowed and some without. Awards will be given at noon.

The top students from this regional competition will return with others from across the state to the Washburn campus on March 2 for the state finals. The top four students from the final rounds receive an all-expense paid trip for them and their parents or guardians to attend the national MATHCOUNTS competition in May in Washington, D.C. KSPE funds the trips to the state competition.

The MATHCOUNTS Foundation is a nonprofit that provides engaging math programs to U.S. middle school students of all ability levels to build confidence and improve attitudes about math and problem solving, according to a news release.