Feb. 8, 2008 – Junior high and middle school mathletes from St. Thomas and St. John schools will compete on Feb. 21, at Palms Court Harbourview Hotel in the chapter competition of the national MATHCOUNTS program. The V.I. Department of Education and Rotary Club of St. Thomas II have organized the competition.
A total of 112 students representing 16 schools will compete. Schools represented are: Addelita Cancryn Junior High School, Bertha C. Boschulte Middle School, the E. Benjamin Oliver, Evelyn Marcelli, Jane E. Tuitt, Joseph Gomez, Joseph Sibilly, Leonard Dober, Lockhart, Ulla Muller and Yvonne Bowsky Elementary Schools, the Julius E. Sprauve School on St. John; the Antilles School, Sts. Peter and Paul School, V.I. Montessori School and Wesleyan Academy, according to a press release from the Department of Education.
Students will compete individually and as teams in written and fast-paced oral matches. Subjects include algebra, probability, statistics, and geometry. Winners will receive trophies and plaques, and the four mathletes with the highest individual scores and the members of the top team will advance to the state finals, to be held on St. Croix in March.
MATHCOUNTS is a national program designed to improve math skills among U.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.
For more information, contact Ludence Romney at 775-2250, ext. 8545 or at [email protected]. Additional information on MATHCOUNTS is available at www.mathcounts.org.