Elizabethtown College’s High School Math Contest Engages Students in Problem-Solving

Hershey High School Wins Team Award at Elizabethtown College Math Contest

Elizabethtown College’s Department of Mathematical Sciences and its student-led Math Club recently organised the second annual High School Math Contest on April 8, which was attended by 75 high school students from 19 local schools. The Math Club President, Jeremy Fortna, who is a Mathematics Secondary Education major, expressed enthusiasm for the event, noting that it almost doubled the participation from the inaugural contest held the previous year. He mentioned that the competition serves as an excellent opportunity for high-performing high school students to explore the broader applications and significance of mathematics beyond their regular curriculum.

The day commenced with a welcome assembly, during which attendees had the chance to interact with Etown’s Admissions Counsellors and learn about campus life through a student panel. Following this, the participants moved on to the competition segment, where they attempted to solve 30 math problems crafted by the Math Club and faculty members.

Awards were presented to both individuals and schools with the highest scores. Scholarships to Elizabethtown College were also offered to the top individual performers. Hershey High School secured the team award for the second consecutive year, while Palmyra High School and Annville-Cleona School District claimed second and third places, respectively. Individual awards were similarly dominated by Hershey High School students, who secured the top two spots, with a student from Palmyra High School taking third place.

After the competition, students engaged in various exciting activities, including three escape rooms designed by current Etown math students. These rooms, titled “Outsmart the Detectives,” “School Sleuths,” and “College Break-Out,” provided an interactive problem-solving experience. Additionally, an activity fair, organised by Etown’s math students and faculty, offered further opportunities for exploration. The day also included a selection of math-themed board games, adding a fun element to the event. The participating schools included institutions such as Annville-Cleona School District, Boiling Springs High School, Carlisle High School, and Hershey High School, among others, representing a diverse group of 19 local high schools. Through this event, Elizabethtown College reaffirmed its commitment to fostering a passion for mathematics and providing meaningful experiences for young learners.

Editor’s Note:

The second annual High School Math Contest at Elizabethtown College exemplifies the institution’s ongoing commitment to promoting academic excellence and engaging with local high school students. By bringing together 75 participants from 19 area schools, the event provided a platform for students to showcase their mathematical skills and emphasized the broader applications of mathematics beyond the classroom. The competition’s structure, which included both individual and team awards, as well as scholarships, underscores the college’s dedication to recognizing and supporting young talent in the field of mathematics. In addition to the competition, the event featured a variety of interactive and engaging activities, including escape rooms and a math-related activity fair, designed to further spark students’ interest in the subject. These hands-on experiences, combined with the opportunity to interact with current college students and faculty, highlight Elizabethtown College’s commitment to fostering a strong academic community and cultivating future leaders in mathematics.

According to Skoobuzz, the event’s success reflects the hard work of the Math Club and faculty, as well as the college’s continued investment in enriching the educational experiences of high school students in the region.