Math Superheroes Compete In LSSC’s Annual ‘Mathlympics’ Competition
 

Twenty-seven teams representing fourteen high schools in Lake and Sumter Counties, plus Montverde Academy, The Villages Charter High School, and Real Life Christian Academy, participated in the 32nd annual ‘Mathlympics’ math competition hosted by Lake-Sumter State College on April 6.

“Strong math skills are an important foundation to many college courses in a wide variety of disciplines,” said Thom Kieft, LSSC associate vice president of general studies. “LSSC’s Mathlympics gives Lake and Sumter County high schools students an opportunity to practice and showcase their math skills in a fastpaced competition. The College’s math faculty enjoy creating the problems and working with the high school students.”

Students have 60 minutes to answer 40 math questions. Each question is scored individually with teams who answer each question first receiving the most points. The top four teams take home a coveted Mathlympics trophy.

This year’s top ten winners are:
1. Montverde Team A
2. East Ridge Team A & B
3. Eustis Team A
4. The Villages Team B
5. South Sumter Team B
6. Leesburg Team A
7. South Sumter Team A
8. Tavares Team A
9. Minneola Team B
10. The Villages Team A

Each year the students choose a theme for the event, and this year’s theme was Marvel superheroes. Students wore their favorite Marvel superhero t-shirts and took their chances with ‘Captain America Shield Cookies’ and ‘Incredible Hulk Rice Krispies.’

“Mathlympics also gives the College math faculty an opportunity to interact and build relationships with the high school math teachers, some of whom have been attending for over a decade and others who also serve as adjunct math faculty for LSSC,” adds Kieft.

The event was co-hosted by LSSC’s Math Department Chair Sybil Brown and Dean of Math & Science Karen Hogans.