Despite the snow, 904 middle school students from121 Massachusetts schools competed in six chapter-level MATHCOUNTS competitions. The winners from each chapter (teams & individuals) will now advance to the State Championship on Saturday, March 7 at Wentworth Institute of Technology.
HOW YOU CAN HELP: Simply volunteer to help proctor or score the tests on March 7. The commitment is just 4 hours; no experience is necessary; must simply be over 18, able to follow simple directions, and not be related to a competing student. For details, contact John Hayden, PE.
The anticipation is intense as 904 student-Mathletes from 121 middle schools throughout Massachusetts prepare to compete next week in six chapter-level MATHCOUNTS math competitions. The winners from each chapter/region will advance to compete in the State Championship on March 7, and the last Mathletes standing will achieve the honor of representing Massachusetts at the National MATHCOUNTS Competition on May 8, to be held “at home” in Boston – for the first time in the program’s 32-year history.
MATHCOUNTS is a national math enrichment, coaching and competition program for middle school students in grades 6-8. In Massachusetts, the program is made possible through the local support and leadership of the Massachusetts Society of Professional Engineers (MSPE.com).
ADULT VOLUNTEERS NEEDED:
More than 100 volunteers are needed to help score and proctor the tests at six chapter level MATHCOUNTS competitions throughout Massachusetts on January 31 and February 2, 4 and 7, as well as the State Championship on March 7. Generally, a volunteer commitment is just 4 hours on the day of the competition. No experience is necessary; volunteers must simply be over 18, willing and able to follow simple directions, and not be related to a competing student. For more info or to volunteer, contact the coordinator of the competition(s) you wish to support. SEE BELOW for competition dates, times and locations.
MSPE President Chris Barros, P.E., shares his experience with establishing an NCEES record, and the value it has added for him throughout his career. Chris explains, “I have been registered as a professional engineer since April 2003, with MA as my first state. When I joined SourceOne in 2008, I completed the NCEES process. With the benefit of NCEES, I have been able to expand my licensing from MA through CT, RI, NH, PA, DE, IL, NJ, MD, and NC. NCEES provides the ability to streamline communications of past education, work history, and contact references.
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.
HER LOVE OF MATH It started with a love of math…an affinity for solving problems…an intrinsic desire to meet challenges.
It was a deep-rooted and hard-wired love, a love that would color every experience she had with the world. It was a love with limitless potential. It could manifest itself in thousands of ways. It could be channeled into a discovery that could potentially change the world by helping mankind to be more efficient or more sustainable.
Marie Ostrowski is an Electrical Design Engineer at Bard, Rao + Athanas Consulting Engineers, LLC. She recently became an MSPE member, and has also volunteered to serve as the Northeast Chapter Coordinator for MSPE’S key outreach program, MATHCOUNTS.
Marie has answered a few brief questions so we may know her better. Welcome to MSPE, Marie, and thank you for your support of the vital MATHCOUNTS program for Massachusetts students.
Q: Why did you join MSPE? A: I joined MSPE primarily as a means to keep current on developments and advances within the local and regional engineering industries. I am still exploring all the valuable resources that MSPE offers its members and hope to take full advantage of professional development and volunteer opportunities.
More than 55 MSPE members and their guests gathered in Charlestown on the evening of Thursday, August 7, 2014 to enjoy MSPE’s specially-arranged private tour of the USS Constitution.
MSPE Members and Guests Gather before their Private Tour of the USS Constitution
U.S. Navy personnel provided participants with an outstanding experience as they illustrated the magnificent ship’s storied past and presented areas of the ship that are typically off-limits to the public. With deep respect for the grand vessel, each guide imparted humor and grace into their presentations.
Guests ranged from members of the New Hampshire Society (NHSPE), to young engineers considering MSPE membership, to seasoned engineers of various disciplines, including special guest Dan Whitliff, PE, the immediate Past President of the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE), who was visiting Boston from his home state of Texas.
After the tour, many attendees also gathered at the nearby Navy Yard Bistro and enjoyed conversation, cocktails and a casual dinner.
Anthony Cipolla, an MSPE Board member and member of the MSPE Events Committee, explained, “The event was a great opportunity for engineers in all stages of their careers to gather and share a unique experience with their peers and families. Everyone had a great time.” (more…)
As the 2014-15 school year begins, middle school students in Massachusetts will once again have the opportunity to participate in MATHCOUNTS, the premier nationwide math enrichment, coaching and competition program for Middle School students across the nation. In Massachusetts, the program is made possible through the support of and leadership of Massachusetts Society of Professional Engineers (mspe.com/math-counts/).
This year is especially important, as all eyes will turn to Massachusetts as the National MATHCOUNTS Competition will be held in Boston in May, and our students will seek to regain the National Championship titles they earned in 2012 and 2013. (See below for more program details.)
Volunteers Needed:
John Hayden, MA State Coordinator anticipates that over 100 volunteers will be needed to support the program by helping at local competitions. Nationally, approximately 17,000 volunteers help make grass-roots program a success for students in their communities.
Chapter Coordinators are responsible for running the six Massachusetts chapter- level competitions held in February. Anyone wishing to volunteer to help at any of the Chapter competitions is encouraged to directly contact a Chapter Coordinator.
Jules Nohra is an Energy Efficiency Manager at SourceOne, Inc. in Boston, MA. He recently joined the MSPE Board of Directors and is a member of the MSPE Programs Committee.
He has answered the questions below so we may know him better. THANK YOU, Jules, for your support and dedication to MSPE.
Q:Why did you join MSPE? A: I joined MSPE in order to gain valuable knowledge from other experienced engineers and to expand my network of professionals in the engineering industry.
Q: What are your goals as an engineer? A: My goals as an engineer are to be continually challenged and to continually improve my knowledge base.
Kenneth Skinger, PE, Esq. addresses the NSPE House of Delegates
MSPE’s own Christopher Barros, PE and Kenneth R. Skinger, PE, Esq. participated in the 2014 NSPE National Conference in historic Washington DC from July 1-4. The event featured a robust agenda that included academic, leadership, and professional development tracks as well as several dynamic networking events and activities.
The NSPE 2014 Annual Conference featured a wide variety of academic, leadership, and professional development seminars.
Senior executives with the U.S. Armed Forces kicked off the event with inspiring opening and keynote messages. Featured activities included an Order of the Engineer Ceremony, Annual NSPE Awards presentations, private tours of the U.S. Capitol and the city’s historic monuments, as well as a Nationals baseball game.Chris and Ken each earned their required annual 16 PDHs by participating in the wide variety of academic and leadership tracks offered.
The spotlight is turning to Massachusetts as the National MATHCOUNTS Competition will be held in Boston in May 2015. Corporate and individual sponsors are urged to join MSPE in supporting our state’s 2014-2015 program. Since MATHCOUNTS is funded at the state level solely by local contributions, this vital program relies heavily on tax-deductible donations of money, gift cards, and supplies.) Donations of any size are appreciated.
Your donation will help to defray the costs of: Food for 800+ students at the six (6) state-wide chapter (region) competitions; Transportation of students to chapter meetings and competitions; Trophies for the chapter and state winners; Supplies, Postage costs, MA Team T-shirts, and more. In recognition of your support, your firm will be promoted in media updates throughout the year, at competitions, and on the MSPE website. Checks may be written to the MATHCOUNTS Foundation, and sent to John Hayden, PE, MA State Coordinator, who will ensure that the Foundation credits the funds to MA.
Despite the snow, 904 middle school students from 121 Massachusetts schools competed in six chapter-level MATHCOUNTS competitions. The winners from each chapter (teams & individuals) will now advance to the State Championship on Saturday, March 7 at Wentworth Institute of Technology.
