AMERICAN MATHEMATICS COMPETITIONS
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Steven Dunbar, Director
University of Nebraska–Lincoln
1740 Vine Street
Lincoln, NE 68588-0658
(402) 472-2257
amcinfo@unl.edu
www.unl.edu/amc
QUICK TAKE: You have to earn your way into the program by
taking a series of very tough, very competitive math exams.
Your child will compete against 300,000 kids to gain entry into
one of thirty spots in the summer program. They, in turn, will
eventually compete for one of seven spots on the international
team representing the United States. This program looks for
the best and brightest kids and lets them participate in “problem
solving and enriching mathematics experiences.”
SPONSORSHIP/OWNERSHIP/ACCREDITATION: Mathematical Association
of America (MAA)
FEES: The program is free and travel is covered. Sponsors include
Microsoft, the Office of Naval Research, and the Army
Research Office.
AGE REQUIREMENT: Grades 9 through 12 (exceptions are made
for the “super” mathematician, who can begin as early as
grade 6). Admission based on the eligibility test.
BACKGROUND: Originally sponsored by the New York Metropolitan
Section of the MAA, the American Mathematics Competitions
started in New York City in 1950 and involved 238
schools and 6,000 students. This year, more than 413,000 students
in more than 5,100 schools participated in the AMC
10/12 Contests held in February. Another 10,000 students
have qualified to participate in other programs held throughout
the year.
DESCRIPTION: Each year, AMC sends information about the
program to every school that teaches sixth through twelfth
grades. There are five contests: the AMC 8, 10, and 12 (for kids
at or below those grade levels), the American Invitational
Mathematics Exam (AIME), and the United States of America
Mathematics Olympiad (USAMO). According to the Web site,
“the AMC contests are intended for everyone from the average
student at a typical school who enjoys mathematics to
the very best student at the most special school.” In March
and April, qualifying rounds for the AIME take place, pairing
a group of 10,000 students down to approximately 250. “The
AMC year culminates with the Mathematical Olympiad Summer
Program (MOSP) which is a four-week training program
for 100 of the top qualifying AMC students. It is from this
group of truly exceptional students that the U.S.A. Team,
which will represent the United States at the International
Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) is chosen. With state competitions,
award ceremonies in Washington, DC, and international
competitions, AMC stands as a neatly organized way for your
math whiz to be recognized and decorated. The summer program
is approximately three weeks long.
OUR TAKE: Since it’s one of the most organized intellectual
programs for kids out there, we give it a rave review. The fact
that they send enrollment materials to all schools, from
the most select private institutions to run-of-the-mill public
schools, is a huge plus.
OUR RECOMMENDATION: Every school has the opportunity to
get involved, so do so! It’s a stellar opportunity for students
with math proficiencies to use their skills in a constructive
way. And who knows, with sponsors like the research councils
of the Army and Navy as well as Microsoft, this program
could be a springboard for your child’s successful career.
ODYSSEY OF THE MIND
Carol Ann DeSimine, Assistant Director
Route 130 South, Suite F
Gloucester City, NJ 08030
(856) 456-7776
info@odysseyofthemind.com
www.odysseyofthemind.com
QUICK TAKE: Nation’s first creative problem solving competition.
The competition begins at the school level and works its
way up to an international competition, which involves both
domestic and foreign schools. School must be a member of
“Odyssey of the Mind” (the school pays a very nominal fee for
membership). Each school may have up to fourteen teams.
Four thousand schools participate each year. A coach (parent
or teacher) is needed for each team.
AGE REQUIREMENT: Kindergarten through grade twelve. There
are four divisions: Division I – each team member must be
under 12 years of age and in a grade no higher than 5th by
May 1 of that school year. Division II – Kids must be younger
than 15 years of age and in a grade no higher than 8th by
May 1 of that school year and not be qualified for Division I.
Division III – Kids must be in grades K–12 and not qualified
for Division I or II. Division IV – Collegiate: Age groups overlap
because the divisions are based on aptitude. Team members
must be high school graduates and enrolled in at least
one course at a two- or four-year college or university.
SPONSORSHIP/OWNERSHIP/ACCREDITATION: NASA is one of
the sponsors and supporters of this competition.
BACKGROUND: Odyssey of the Mind, established in the early
1980s by Dr. Sam Micklus, a professor of industrial design
at Rowan University (then Glassboro State College in New
Jersey), introduced his students to many mind-bending engineering
and mechanical projects. The local media picked
up on his fun classroom atmosphere and before long, people
outside the institution wanted to share the experience.
Eventually, a “creative problem-solving for school children”
program was born, and more than twenty years after its
inception, Odyssey of the Mind has become an international
program.
DESCRIPTION: Each year, kids compete on five long-term problems,
selected from the following categories: (1) mechanical/
vehicle—building and operating vehicles; (2) classics—
books, art, and architecture; (3) performance; (4) structure—
building, using only balsa wood and glue; and (5) technical
performance, where kids “make innovative contraptions and
incorporate artistic elements into their solutions.” With problem-
solving skills becoming more and more imperative in
today’s society, this competition is designed to help kids
“think smart,” “think logically,” and gain proficiency in thinking
through a challenge.
There are chartered associations in most areas of the
country in which local competitions are held. Points are
awarded and a national and international champion is determined.
Kids can win educational scholarships and travel to
various parts of the country and world to compete against
other participants.
OUR TAKE: Overall, this competition is a good experience. It
teaches team work, school spirit, and a sense of self to or the
intelligent child who wants to stretch his or her mind.
OUR RECOMMENDATION: If your child’s school is not already
an Odyssey of the Mind member, it is probably worth looking
into. For the $135 school fee, 14 teams of your school’s best
and brightest students can make you, your community, and
themselves proud of their problem-solving abilities. If your
child’s school is already a member, it could be fun and character
building for him/her. Even if your team doesn’t skyrocket
to the international competition, children will learn to
think for themselves, think creatively, and make friends with
kids who have similar interests.