Nebraska high school students to put skills to the test at UNL Math Day

Released on 11/01/2012, at 2:00 AM
Office of University Communications
University of Nebraska–Lincoln

WHEN: Thursday, Nov. 15, 2012

WHERE: Opening ceremonies at the Coliseum, 14th and Vine Streets; Competition held in the Nebraska Union, 14th and R Streets

Lincoln, Neb., November 1st, 2012 —

         More than 1,500 high school students from across the state are expected to attend the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Math Day on Nov. 15, which would set a new participation record for the event held annually since 1990.

         Students will get the opportunity to compete in mathematical competitions, explore interests in math, and discover what UNL's Department of Mathematics and a career in the field can offer. A total of $34,000 in four-year UNL scholarships, certificates and trophies will be awarded to top-performing participants.

         Last year, Math Day attracted 1,421 participants from 104 high schools. The event has grown considerably since 1990 when it drew 562 students from 68 Nebraska high schools.

         Opening ceremonies will be at 8 a.m. at the Coliseum, 14th and Vine streets. Participants will then head to the Nebraska Union, 14th and R streets, to take a multiple-choice, preliminary exam. The three male and female students who perform best on the exam will receive trophies. The top 50 scores overall will advance to take an essay-style mathematics exam. Those who finish in the top 10 will share in the scholarship money.

         Along with the individual events, the day includes the Math Bowl -- a quick-thinking, head-to-head, double-elimination team tournament.

         Tours of campus and Avery Hall, home of the Department of Mathematics, are also planned. Additionally, students will get lunch in the residence hall cafeterias, offering them a taste of campus life.

         For more information, visit www.math.unl.edu/programs/mathday/.

Writer: Jean Ortiz Jones, University Communications, 402-472-8320