Students to tackle national math challenge over the weekend | Events

A group of Tech Valley High School students will spend part of their weekend taking part in the national Moody's Math Mega Challenge.

One team of TVHS students is taking part Saturday, another Sunday, in the competition which challenges students to develop a "tangible solution to a real-world problem using math." According to the school's communication coordinator Mike McCagg, the contest asks students to use the math they learn in the classroom--or elsewhere--and apply it toward the solution of a genuine issue, be it social, economic, or political, the Moody's website states.

Last year's winning team from Connecticut spent 14 hours using their math skills in conjunction with other abilities to evaluate the U.S. Census Bureau's figures and methods and make recommendations for the undercount adjustment, the apportioning of the U.S. House of Representatives, and the fairest way to draw Congressional districts.

This will be the first year Tech Valley High School has entered teams.

Taking part from TVHS are Kayla Delano, Kate Berdan, Job Enders, Kaliel Williamson, Linda Navarette, Xena Pulliam, Cody Bellair, Siana Botts and Halle Prentice. The students are gathering at two of their houses to compete, said Coach Michelle Sweeny who, under contest rules, can have no contact with the students during the competition.

"This is an excellent way for the students to apply what they learn at TVHS," said Principal Dan Liebert.

A group of Tech Valley High School students will spend part of their weekend taking part in the national Moody's Math Mega Challenge.

One team of TVHS students is taking part Saturday, another Sunday, in the competition which challenges students to develop a "tangible solution to a real-world problem using math."

In other words, the contest asks students to use the math they learn in the classroom--or elsewhere--and apply it toward the solution of a genuine issue, be it social, economic, or political, the Moody's website states.

Last year's winning team from Connecticut spent 14 hours using their math skills in conjunction with other abilities to evaluate the U.S. Census Bureau's figures and methods and make recommendations for the undercount adjustment, the apportioning of the U.S. House of Representatives, and the fairest way to draw Congressional districts.

This will be the first year Tech Valley High School has entered teams.

Taking part from TVHS are Kayla Delano, Kate Berdan, Job Enders, Kaliel Williamson, Linda Navarette, Xena Pulliam, Cody Bellair, Siana Botts and Halle Prentice. The students are gathering at two of their houses to compete, said Coach Michelle Sweeny who, under contest rules, can have no contact with the students during the competition.

"This is an excellent way for the students to apply what they learn at TVHS," said Principal Dan Liebert.