Math Field Day draws almost 700 junior, senior high school students

Those with a head for figures found a home at Tuesday's Math Field Day, hosted by the Southeast Missouri State University Department of Mathematics.

The 37th annual event, held at the Show Me Center, featured 693 students from 28 junior and senior high schools around the region. Competitors tackled algebra I, algebra II, geometry, trigonometry, word problems, sets and logic, exponential and log functions, matrices and determinants, computational mathematics, elementary data analysis, probability, mental arithmetic, non-routine problem solving, analytic geometry, number bases, number theory, hand calculators and calculus, according to information from the university.

The competition also gives teachers a chance to see how their math programs stack up.

"This year we've actually got a little more turnout than the past couple of years. We're also starting to draw a fair number of Southern Illinois schools, so that's increasing our numbers as well," said Dr. Cheryl McAllister, associate professor in the Department of Mathematics and chairwoman of the Math Field Day Committee.

Morning events start with individual tests and then students compete in Mathletics, in which they try to answer a variety of math problems correctly, viewable on a video screen. Answers are graded by math department faculty members.

"I think a lot of times student athletes get a lot more attention" than children who are more academically inclined, McAllister said. "This gives them a chance to compete and shine. ... It also lets them know that other students like math."

Jeanie Nagrodski, a math teacher at Herrin High School in Herrin, Ill., said this is the 11th year her school has participated, and for the past two years, it has garnered team awards for its number prowess. Her secret: "Really good children who work really hard," she said.

Senior Whitney Woodis was one of 49 students from Herrin. "We like a challenge. We like to compete and win," Woodis said.

Brittany Weston, a junior at Campbell High School, said she's participated in field day every year. "It's fun. It gives me a challenge," Weston said. " ... I just like being with the group and how we four are all the smart children."

Central High School math teacher Mark Allen brought 24 honors program students to the competition. Scottie Thomas, a senior at Central High School, was one them.

"The thing I enjoy the most is competing in things other than athletics," Thomas said. " ... My favorite event is probably watching Mathletics. You get to mess with your classmates about the [answers] they got wrong."

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