Chandler-Gilbert Community College will host more than 100 East Valley seventh and eighth grade students from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, January 21 for the 6th annual Junior High Excellence in Mathematics Competition.

The Excellence in Mathematics Competition was created by the CGCC Mathematics Division with the intent of supporting the efforts of local community schools in motivating and encouraging today's youth to be successful in mathematics.

"It is the hope of the CGCC Mathematics Division to not only help students improve their mathematical skills but also their attitudes toward math," said CGCC Mathematics faculty member and contest coordinator, Trey Cox. "The competition creates a fun environment in which the students can compete alongside their classmates as well as meet and compete against other youth from the East Valley."

The competition consists of three different contests: individual, team, and collaborative. For each contest there are two grade divisions: 7th and 8th grade. The individual contest consists of students answering multiple choice questions. Each school is allowed to bring a maximum of 10 students per grade level for the individual competition. Awards are given to the three students from each grade level with the highest scores.

The team contest for each school and each grade consists of the four students with the highest scores on the individual contest. Team awards are given to the top two teams at each grade level.

The collaborative contest is a problem solving/writing activity. Each school may select an additional four students to compete as a team. They work together to come up with a single solution. Collaborative awards are given to the top team at each grade level.

Students from Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Tempe, Higley, Scottsdale, Apache Junction, and Queen Creek are invited to participate.

“This is a wonderful opportunity to introduce these kids to the college atmosphere and a great chance for the students to showcase their math skills,” said Cox.

For more information, call (480) 732-7030 or access http://www.cgc.maricopa.edu/math/excellence/.

CGCC is located at 2626 E. Pecos Rd. in Chandler.

###