April 3, 2013
Open House addition: Math department invites fifth through 12th grade students to compete in Mathematical Olympiad
Submitted by Communications and Marketing
Adding to the fun of Kansas State University's All-University Open House, the math department is hosting its 17th annual Mathematical Olympiad for grade school and high school students from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 20, in 101 Cardwell Hall.
Students in grades fifth through 12th will solve challenging mathematics problems as they compete in three age levels: fifth and sixth grades, seventh and eighth grades, and ninth through 12th grades. The solution session and awarding of prizes will be from 3 to 5 p.m. in 101 Cardwell Hall.
The event is free, although participants should bring their own pencils and paper. No advanced registration is required but if students would like to prepare, they may review previous Mathematical Olympiad problems.
Modeled after national and international mathematical Olympiads, the event offers students a chance to expand and show off their mathematical skills since the problems are very different than those found on a standardized test.
"Solutions to any of them require creativity and concentration," said Yan Soibelman, professor of mathematics and chair of the Manhattan Mathematical Olympiad committee. "The Olympiad problems differ from those students will see on standard tests at school and it gives a joy of real discovery, the feeling which drives mathematicians in their everyday work."
More information is available by contacting Soibelman at 785-532-0584 or soibel@math.ksu.edu.