Mathcounts competition draws 23 schools, 200 students
Student José Poskauer (front) holds up his first-place win earned during this weekend’s Mathcounts competition. His father Tim Proskauer stands behind him.
The Puerto Rico edition of Mathcounths, a nonprofit national math enrichment, coaching and competition program that promotes middle school mathematics achievement in every U.S. state and territory, was held this weekend at the Polytechnic University, drawing 23 schools and more than 200 students, organizers said.
Teams from Antilles Middle School, Cupeyville School, St. Johns School and University of Puerto Rico High School won the local competition, organized in conjunction with the Puerto Rico Chapter of the National Society of Professional Engineers.
“We’re proud to support initiatives that help students improve every day,” said Ernesto Vázquez-Barquet, president of the Polytechnic University. “Our commitment to quality education is demonstrated year after year by supporting these competitions that contribute to the development of future engineers and scientists.”
Individual students José Poskauer, Serena Tsui, Kevin Lin Ye, and Siyuan Feng won individual competitions and will represent Puerto Rico as a team in the national Mathcounts competition to be held in Washington D.C. in May.
Mathcounts is described as “one of the most successful education partnerships involving volunteers, educators, industry sponsors and students in America.” The program founded in 1983 offers teachers, kids and parents free materials to aid them in math enrichment and prepare for a high-tech future that will require mathematics related skills to achieve success. In Puerto Rico, the program has been active since 1986.
