... is a way to show our youth that math is important and fun. It is a program of tutoring and competition aimed at encouraging a technically literate population. MATHCOUNTS is the oldest nationwide math program for junior high students. Students are challenged to creatively solve many different types of problems including probability, statistics, linear alegebra, math logic, polynomials, simple geometry, number theory, patterning, sequences, etc. Students do not need to be in advanced math courses to enjoy and succeed at MATHCOUNTS; they need only be innovative in their thinking. Too often math is rote, in MATHCOUNTS, math is creative!

In addition to teaching math, MATHCOUNTS' goals are to:

• help students formulate positive attitudes about math & technology,
• make students aware of the importance of math in career planning,
• advertise careers in math related fields, and
• promote math excellence in junior high school students.

Coordinators:

Fairbanks
Patricia Crisenberry, PE
(907) 474-3971

There are two phases to the program. The coaching phase, which lasts from September through January, and the competition phase which occurs from January to May (depending on how far the competitor advances - school, chapter/regional, state, national). Any student can join a MATHCOUNTS club to be coached in math, but only full-time 7th and 8th grade students can officially compete. They must be part of a team of four students. Each school is allowed to register only one team for official competition.

Alaska has three NSPE chapters which sponsor chapter competitions. The Anchorage Chapter Competition includes schools in Southcentral Alaska, the Fairbanks Chapter Competition includes schools in Northern Alaska, and the Juneau Chapter Competition includes schools in Southeast Alaska. There is also a remote chapter competition for schools in bush Alaska.