Appalachian to host qualifying event for NCCTM State Mathematics Contest

View larger image — Previous winners of the NCCTM State High School Mathematics Contest include this team of students from Avery High School, who won second place in the 2013 regional held at Appalachian State University. Photo submitted

By Jeff Cloninger

Posted Feb. 1, 2017 at 3:33 p.m.

BOONE, N.C.—Awards for individuals and top schools will be earned during qualifying competitions for the NCCTM State Mathematics Contest to be held in Plemmons Student Union at Appalachian State University Wednesday, March 8.

Appalachian is one of 14 sites for qualifying competitions that will take place across North Carolina. In these contests, middle and high school students will participate in different levels of competition congruent with each student’s mathematical expertise. Competitions will take place in four separate divisions (Level 1, Level 2, Level 3 and Comprehensive). Appalachian will sponsor contests in Level 1 and Comprehensive divisions.

An interesting feature of the competition is that students may not use calculators during either the Level 1 or Comprehensive tests.

The North Carolina Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCCTM) sponsors the statewide competition. According to the organization’s web site, the group brings together professionals responsible for teaching math in North Carolina from kindergarten through graduate school.

Appalachian has traditionally been involved with NCCTM competitions. According to Lori Tyler, director of Appalachian’s Summer Ventures in Science and Mathematics program and co-coordinator of Appalachian’s NCCTM Mathematics Contest, the university has participated in the state math contest since it began in 1979.

Tyler spoke about the enthusiasm and hard work that participation in the contest brings out in students. “Students who attend Appalachian’s Mathematics Contest are excited to visit a university campus, and teachers say their students are motivated to work harder to gain the opportunity to participate,” Tyler said. She added, “The contest provides students an environment to enjoy doing mathematics.”

John Sevier, lecturer in the Department of Mathematical Sciences and co-coordinator of the event with Tyler, spoke of the positive environment the contest at Appalachian offers. “The NCCTM regional math contest hosted by Appalachian provides a positive, challenging, enjoyable environment for students to test their knowledge,” he said.

To register, visit Appalachian’s math contest web page at https://mathsci.appstate.edu/news-events/math-contest. Deadline for registration is Feb. 17.

About the Department of Mathematical Sciences

The Department of Mathematical Sciences offers undergraduate degrees in Actuarial Science and Mathematics, with concentrations in business, computation, life sciences, physical sciences, secondary teaching and statistics, plus a general, self-designed concentration. The department also offers the Master of Arts in Mathematics with concentrations in college teaching and secondary teaching.

About Appalachian State University

As a premier public institution, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, cost-effective education. The university enrolls more than 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate majors at its Boone and Hickory campuses and through App State Online. Learn more at https://www.appstate.edu.