The contest is open to students in grades 7 through 12 and any interested students are welcome to participate on their own initiative, regardless of sponsorship. Parents are especially encouraged to have students participate. The contest is from 9 a.m. to noon, at Los Alamos' Canyon School Complex on Central Avenue; Española Middle School East, 116 Camino Espinoza; and Santa Fe High School's Cafeteria/Commons Building, 2100 Yucca Road. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m.; the challenge starts at 9 a.m. Participants should bring sharpened pencils, bottled water and light snacks but not calculators.
"The goal of the 'Go Figure' competition is to identify young people with talent in mathematics," said Dave Foster of Los Alamos' Education Program Office. "We want to increase students' opportunities to succeed, and the challenge helps identify aptitudes that can contribute to future success," said Foster. "Mathematics and algebra are the building blocks for all the scientific disciplines. Math is the language of science. Without a solid foundation that includes mathematics, a students' opportunities are limited."
Problems for the contest will range from easy to challenging, but most will require only basic arithmetic. Some problems are designed to test the contestants' ingenuity and ability to apply what they have learned. The test results are used to identify talented students who-along with their parents and teacher/adviser-will be invited to a recognition banquet. First and second place winners at each grade level will receive prizes.
For more information about the Go Figure Math Challenge, go to http://www.sandia.gov/gofigure/info.html online or contact Carole Rutten at 505-665-5194.
Los Alamos National Laboratory, a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security, is operated by Los Alamos National Security, LLC, a team composed of Bechtel National, the University of California, The Babcock & Wilcox Company, and Washington Group International for the Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration.
Los Alamos enhances national security by ensuring the safety and reliability of the U.S. nuclear stockpile, developing technologies to reduce threats from weapons of mass destruction, and solving problems related to energy, environment, infrastructure, health, and global security concerns.
