Numbers on their brains

They’ve got numbers on their brains.

Over 200 fourth- and fifth-graders, mostly from North Idaho with some traveling from Spokane, recently gathered at Lake City High School for the annual Math is Cool competition.

“It’s intense. This isn’t like two plus two is four,” said Charlene Babb, advanced learning program teacher at Sorensen Magnet School of the Arts and Humanities and the onsite competition director. “The questions are just really high level.”

About 45 volunteer high school students from Coeur d’Alene High School proctored and facilitated the event.

Tests included written, team, individual and a quiz bowl where a proctor asked questions.

Lance Emry, a sophomore at Coeur d’Alene High School, competed when he was in elementary school and now has been coaching teams for the competition through Growing the STEM afterschool programs.

“I really like coaching because I can help other students kind of find that love of math that I also have,” Emry said. “(Math is Cool) really got me started with having a total passion for math.”

Fifth-grader Alistair Smith said he loved the different segments and tests of the competition.

Winners include:

• 5th Grade, Division pi winner, Pierce Stringham, Dalton Elementary School

• 5th Grade, Division pi, First place team Dalton Elementary School

• 5th Grade, Division e winner, Alistair Smith, Sorensen Magnet School of the Arts & Humanities

• 5th Grade, Division e, First place team Sorensen Magnet School of the Arts & Humanities

• 4th Grade, Division pi winner, Olivia Backs, Dalton Elementary School

• 4th Grade, Division pi, First place team Dalton Elementary School

• 4th Grade: Division e winner, Declan Hayden, Greensferry Elementary School

• 4th Grade: Division e, First place team Sorensen Magnet School of the Arts & Humanities