It is great that the AMS is able to conduct this competition which values and encourages mathematical talent. While sports are usually celebrated, it is wonderful that students interested in mathematics can also be encouraged. I sincerely hope that many more students gain the opportunity to participate in this competition.

# Who Wants to Be a Mathematician at Western Connecticut State University

Despite a longer-than-expected visit from winter the day before (also an uninvited one), 200 very enthusiastic people turned out for Who Wants to Be a Mathematician, part of the Math Fair at Western Connecticut State University (WCSU) on April 5. Steven Ma, a sophomore at nearby Greenwich High School, won $1,000 from the AMS and a TI-Nspire CX from Texas Instruments. Along with Who Wants to Be a Mathematician, there were other math games, math research posters, two talks about applied math, and as much food as you could expect from a non-cruise-ship event. Here are some photos, all taken by Peggy Stewart, WCSU. Front row, eft to right: Jean Hu, Michael Kural, Victoria Palmer, Caelan Ritter, Tanishq Kancharla, Elizabeth Barrick, and Khushil Rana. Back, left to right: Stavros Christofi, Mike Breen, Akash Kaza, Emily Taylor, Windy Wu, James Koh, Josh Goldwag, Nathaniel Diamond, Steven Ma, Alex Potocki, and Pierce O'Donnell. Videos from the games: The audience was welcomed by The WCSU Maricostas School of Arts and Sciences Dean, Missy Alexander, and by the director of its Kathwari Honors Program, Christopher Kukk. Each pointed out some of the advantages of studying math in general and studying it at WCSU. Pierce O'Donnell, a math graduate of WCSU, then talked about what it was like being an actuary. Although he started college as a history major, O'Donnell soon realized he had an affinity for math so he switched majors and is now an actuarial associate at Prudential. Following O'Donnell's presentation, a current WCSU math major, Alex Potocki, talked about research he has done with faculty member Stavros Christofi on price optimization in the soft drink industry. Anyone who got thirsty as a result of this talk soon got that thirst quenched during the refreshment break. After the break, 14 local students participated in Who Wants to Be a Mathematician. In game one, Michael Kural answered every question correctly and won. Tanishq Kancharla stayed with Michael almost the whole way, but did not get the last question correct. Michael's victory earned him$500 and a TI-Nspire CX. There was a glitch in this game when the software used to keep track of points collided with the laptop's operating system, resulting in some hand calculations of the scores, but the audience and contestants were very patient and order was restored in time for game two. Steven Ma answered every question correctly in this game, which earned him the same cash and prizes as Michael and a spot in the Square-Off Round.

Steven answered quickly in this round to win another \$500 and a chance at the \$2,000 Bonus Question. Unfortunately, he did not get this question correct, but still had a successful day.

Here are all the prizes won that day along with photos of most of the winners.

• TI-Nspire CX graphing caclulator from Texas Instruments and $1,000 from the AMS: Steven Ma (above right), Greenwich High School • TI-Nspire CX graphing calculator from Texas Instruments and$500 from the AMS: Michael Kural (above left), Greenwich High School

• Stavros Christofi (above left), of the WCSU Mathematics Department, was the organizer of the event and presided over the awards ceremony.
• Maple 2016 from Maplesoft: Tanishq Kancharla (pictured with Mike), Pomperaug High School, and Akash Kaza, Simsbury High School (had to leave before the ceremony, to get back to school)

• Calculus with Early Transcendentals by Anton, Bivens and Davis from John Wiley and Sons: Nate Diamond (above left, pictured with Mike), New Milford High School, and Caelan Ritter, Newtown High School (not pictured)
• Mathematical Understanding of Nature: Essays on Amazing Physical Phenomena and Their Understanding by Mathematicians from the AMS: Jean Hue, Brookfield High School (pictured with fan and photo), and James Koh, The Loomis Chaffee School

• Book Package from the WCSU Mathematics Department: (winners left to right) Khushil Rana, Danbury High School, Josh Goldwag, Nonnewaug High School, Elizabeth Barrick, Pawling High School,and Emily Taylor, Shepaug Valley School (also pictured, but prizeless: Stavros, Mathematics Department Chair Josie Hamer, and Mike)
• What's Happening in the Mathematical Sciences, Vol. 10 from the AMS: Windy Wu, Immaculate High School, and Victoria Palmer, Bethel High School (and Mike with mic)

In addition to the individual prizes, Pawling High School won a prize for bringing the most students, and Brookfield High School won a prize for being the most enthusiastic.

Thanks very much to our sponsors: Maplesoft, the Who Wants to Be a Mathematician Technology Sponsor; Art of Problem Solving, our Online Community Sponsor; Texas Instruments; John Wiley and Sons; and the local sponsors: Newtown Savings Bank, the WCSU chapter of Sigma Xi, and the Maricostas School of Arts and Sciences. Thanks also to Stavros Christofi and the Mathematics Department Planning Committee who arranged all the events that day. And thanks to the teachers and students for braving the elements and making it such an exciting event.

Text by Mike Breen.

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