The St. Croix District has announced that this fall middle school students on St. Croix will have the opportunity to participate in the MATHCOUNTS® Competition Series, the nation’s premier math competition that focuses on building problem-solving skills in mathematics.
The competition is made possible locally through the support of the V.I. Department of Education, Rotary Mid-Isle Club, St. Thomas Rotary Club and St. Croix District Coordinator Juanita Boneque.
The St. Croix chapter competition is slated for Feb. 23, 2024, and the state competition will be held on March 22, 2024. This program is open to all schools: public, private and parochial. Schools are encouraged to register at www.mathcounts.org which allows them to participate in the chapter competition and eventually move on to the state competition and potentially the national competition.
Student participants will progress through four levels of competition: school, chapter, state and national and then to begin preparing in the fall with the guidance of math educators who serve as volunteer coaches. Mathletes® compete individually and as members of a team in written and oral math contests. Top students win awards and scholarships, and the top four students from every state earn the right to compete at the 2024 RTX MATHCOUNTS National Competition, May 11-14, 2024, in Washington, D.C.
The St. Croix District is also seeking nominations for the Presidential STEM Teaching Award. Juanita Boneque, V.I. State Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Technology (PAEMST) coordinator, encourages the nomination of K-6 educators. This award serves as the nation’s highest honor for teachers of science, technology, engineering, mathematics and/or computer science. Presidential awardees receive a certificate signed by the president; a trip to Washington D.C. to attend a series of recognition events, professional development opportunities, and a $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation.
To nominate a teacher, visit www.paemst.nsf.gov. Nominated teachers must have completed five years of K–12th-grade teaching prior to this year and currently be teaching K–6th-grade science, technology, engineering, mathematics and/or computer science. People are welcome to submit multiple nominations if they know more than one teacher who deserves this award. Nominations close on Jan. 8, 2024.
You can learn more about the Presidential Award and nominate a teacher or teachers at www.paemst.nsf.gov. For additional information contact: Juanita Boneque at juanita.boneque@vide.vi.
