MATHCOUNTS Competition Builds Confidence for Middle Schoolers in Math and Problem Solving
Two contestants in the Countdown Round, Beining Liu (front left), Maharishi School, and Ian Rosvold (front right), Oskaloosa Middle School, laugh along with the other students as an answer is revealed to a particularly difficult math problem. (submitted photo)
(Oskaloosa, Iowa) – On Friday February 2, the Southeast Iowa Chapter of the Iowa Engineering Society held the 2024 MATHCOUNTS competition at William Penn University in the Dana M. Atkins Memorial Union. Five schools participated in three rounds of team or individual challenges to see who would place on top. For fun, the top ten students also competed in the head-to-head Countdown Round where the winning student earns bragging rights for answering the most questions correctly.
One team and six individuals who participated in the chapter competition sponsored by Interpower Corporation will move on to the state competition which will be held March 22, 2024 at the Des Moines Area Community College. Pella Middle School is the winning team with members Rexton Elscott, Luke Hartke, Sam Keller, and Sam Manning. The six individuals moving on in order of top placement are Grant Finken, Pella Middle School, Ian Rosvold, Oskaloosa Middle School, Dylan Pierson, Oskaloosa Middle School, Beining Liu, Maharishi School, Blake Gallaher, Pella Christian Grade School, and Elias Fisher, Pella Middle School.
MATHCOUNTS coaches work for several weeks with their students practicing for the tough questions and competing for spots on the school’s team. Pella Christian Grade School Coach, Ashli Van Donselaar said, “I love the camaraderie the practices promote through the season. My students enjoy doing hard math together.”
Congratulations to participants from Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont Jr./Sr. High School, Maharishi School, Oskaloosa Middle School, Pella Christian Grade School, and Pella Middle School for a great showing at this year’s event.
MATHCOUNTS provides engaging math programs to US middle school students of all ability levels to build confidence and improve attitudes about math and problem solving. The MATHCOUNTS Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that reaches students in grades 6-8 in all US states and territories with 2 extracurricular math programs. Hundreds of thousands of students participate in their programs or use their resources each year.
