About MATHCOUNTS
On this page:
- What is MATHCOUNTS
- How MATHCOUNTS Works
- MATHCOUNTS Programs
- How MSPE is Involved in MATHCOUNTS
- Why MATHCOUNTS Works
- She Loves it; He Fears it: A Story of Two Students
- News Release Archive
What is MATHCOUNTS?
MATHCOUNTS® is a national math enrichment program & competition series focused on engaging the critical thinking and problem-solving skills of middle school students in grades 6-8. The Massachusetts MATHCOUNTS program is a grass-roots effort that inspires students to achieve in math. Run solely by adult educators and volunteers, Massachusetts MATHCOUNTS provides students with a valuable foundation for success in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) careers.
Massachusetts MATHCOUNTS has a proud history. Our team consistently places in the Top 10 of 56 teams at the National Competition, and we placed first in 2013, 2012, 1997, and 1999. MA individuals won in 2013, 1998, and 1991. On an annual basis, more than 900 students representing approximately 121 schools across Massachusetts participate in this vital program, and we hope to continue growing this list. We encourage you to REVIEW it, and if a school in your area is not on it, please invite them to learn more about this vital program.
CLICK HERE to learn more about Massachusetts MATHCOUNTS Opportunities and How You Can Support the Program.
How MATHCOUNTS Works
MATHCOUNTS heightens student interest in math by making achievement as challenging, exciting and prestigious as a school sport. The MATHCOUNTS School Handbook is available online at Mathcounts.org. Teachers and volunteers use these 300 problems and activities to coach student Mathletes® as part of in-class instruction or in extracurricular math clubs. After several months of coaching, schools select students to compete individually or as part of a team in written and oral competitions.
Local chapter competitions are held throughout Massachusetts in February, and winners progress to the state competition in March. The State Competition results determine the top four individuals and top coach who earn the honor of representing Massachusetts at the National MATHCOUNTS Competition, held in May.
MATHCOUNTS Programs
There are three key MATHCOUNTS programs, outlined below. Each is designed to engage middle school students with opportunities to use math, build confidence and enhance their appreciation for math.
The National Math Club is a math enrichment initiative providing the structure and activities needed to encourage the formation of math clubs within schools. Learn more
The Math Video Challenge is an innovative program involving teams of students using cutting-edge technology to create videos about math problems and their associated concepts. Learn more
The MATHCOUNTS Competition Series is a national middle school coaching and competitive mathematics program that promotes mathematics achievement through a series of fun and engaging “bee” style contests. Learn more
How is MSPE Involved in MATHCOUNTS?
The Massachusetts Society of Professional Engineers has proudly sponsored the MATHCOUNTS program since 1983. Since then, thousands of students from hundreds of participating middle schools throughout the state have benefitted from this valuable program.
Each year, middle school students across the state compete individually or as part of a team at six Massachusetts Chapter MATHCOUNTS Competitions, held in February.
The winning team and individuals from each chapter advances to the State competition in March. The state competition determines which Mathletes® will advance to represent Massachusetts in the National MATHCOUNTS Competition, typically held in May of each year. All Mathletes® must be in middle school (6th, 7th, or 8th grade) and have typically been coached for several months by educators who volunteer to spearhead the program at their middle school. Each competition includes both written and oral math testing on a very high level.
The success of Massachusetts MATHCOUNTS depends on the generous support of sponsors and volunteers.
MATHCOUNTS Works because it…
- Builds critical thinking and problem-solving skills necessary for success
- Helps kids who love math AND kids who fear math
- Motivates and rewards students by fostering team problem solving and competitive spirit;
- Is more than a competition. It involves students and teachers in year-long coaching sessions and helps students at varied skill levels
- Impacts students and communities at the national and local levels
The MATHCOUNTS Story: She Loves it, He Fears it; A Story of Two Math Students
This brief but powerful story will change the way you think about math. Math students fall into two categories: Those who love it and those who fear it. This story of two students’ journeys reveals how MATHCOUNTS fills a critical void – for our students, and our society.
News Release Archive – Massachusetts MATHCOUNTS
MAY 2024:
Team Massachusetts placed 2nd out of 56 teams at the National MATHCOUNTS Competition held from May 11-13 in Washington, D.C., adding to a proud history of Top 10 national-level finishes for Massachusetts. All four students also placed individually in the top 25% of the 224 top mathletes from across the U.S., and Selena Ge placed second among the top 12 finishers, so she advanced to compete in exciting head-to-head Countdown Round, where she ultimately earned the title of Second Place Individual Champion.
Team Massachusetts included Rajarshi Mandal (Grade 8) from Diamond Middle School in Lexington; and Danyang Xu (Grade 8), Selena Ge (Grade 8), and Brandon Ni (Grade 6) from Clarke Middle School in Lexington. The team was accompanied by Coach Josh Frost of Jonas Clarke Middle School in Lexington and MSPE Director John J. Hayden, PE, State MATHOUNTS Coordinator and Senior Transportation Engineer at Stantec Consulting Services, Inc.
READ: The Journey to 2024 Competition and the Massachusetts MATHCOUNTS News Release
MAY 2023:
Team Massachusetts placed 3rd out of 56 teams at the National MATHCOUNTS Competition from May 13-15 in Orlando, Florida – adding to a proud history of Top 10 national level finishes for MA. Each student “mathlete” also placed individually in the top 25% of the 224 best mathletes from across the U.S. who advanced to nationals after 90,000 students competed in their local and state contests.
The four students who represented Team Massachusetts are Nikhil Byrapuram (grade 8) from The Pike School in Andover; Christopher Cheng and Adam Ge (both grade 8); and Selena Ge (grade 7) from the Jonas Clarke Middle School in Lexington. READ FULL STORY
MAY 2022:
For the 2021-22 school year, more than 800 student Mathletes from across the state participated in 7 Virtual Chapter Competitions in February, to determine the 130 students who would advance to the State Competition in March, from which 4 Mathletes emerged to make up the Team that advanced to represent Massachusetts at the 2022 National MATHCOUNTS Competition in May.
The MA State team included: Adam and Selena Ge, brother and sister from Blanchard Middle School in Westford; Raymond Gao from R.J. Grey Junior High School in Acton; and William Hua from Jonas Clarke Middle School in Lexington. They were coached once again by Joshua Frost from Jonas Clarke Middle School in Lexington. Team Massachusetts successfully competed against 220 other students from across the nation at the National Competition in Washington, DC on May 8-9, 2022.
Impressive Results for Team Massachusetts at the 2022 MATHCOUNTS National Competition:
-) Our Massachusetts State Team placed 4th in the Nation, among 56 teams
-) 3 of the 4 individual students placed in the top 25% of all students
-) Our team’s one female competitor placed as the top 6th grade Mathlete in the country, as well as 2nd place female in the country
MARCH 2020:
After seven exciting chapter competitions throughout the state, the MATHCOUNTS State Competition, held on March 7 at Wentworth University, has determined the four students who will represent Massachusetts at the National level. These 2020 Massachusetts State Champion Middle School Mathletes will advance to compete at the National MATHCOUNTS Competition on May 9-12 in Orlando:
Congratulations to Coach Joshua Frost , as this year marks his 20th consecutive year of coaching and accompanying our state’s team to the National Championships.
MAY 2019:
Team Massachusetts Wins National 2019 MATHCOUNTS® Math Competition
CLICK HERE to view the 2019 National Competition Recap
AUGUST 2017:
Here is Why You Should Support Massachusetts MATHCOUNTS Math Enrichment Program in the 2017-18 School Year
JUNE 2017:
Team Massachusetts Earns 8th Place at 2017 National MATHCOUNTS Competition
JANUARY 2017:
Call for Volunteers & Sponsors to Support 2017 Massachusetts MATHCOUNTS Chapter Competitions
MAY 2016:
Brightest Young Math Students Win State MATHCOUNTS Competition; National Competition is May 8-9
JANUARY 2016:
Our State’s Mathletes are READY…The ‘Playoffs’ are Set to Begin!
MAY 2015:
Massachusetts Team Ranks 3rd at 2015 National MATHCOUNTS Competition
APR 2015:
Local Math Students to Compete in 2015 National Championship on May 8 in Boston
FEB 2015:
Students Advance to State Competition on March 7-Volunteers Needed
Ruth & Larry Decker Reflect on 23 Years as MATHCOUNTS Chapter Coordinators
JAN 2015:
Volunteers Wanted for Competitions in Late Jan / Early Feb
Statewide Middle School Math Program Has Double-Digit Growth