In 2005, more than 413,000 students from more than 51,000 schools participated in the American Mathematics Competitions – better known as AMC 10/12.

Nationally, Maine ranked 47th in participation.

The American Mathematics Competitions are a series of national mathematics examinations, which are on the National Association of Secondary School Principals’ list of recommended activities. The competitions began in 1950, and were later split into two high school exams: AMC-10, for students grade 10 and under; and AMC-12, for juniors and seniors. Both exams are made up of 25 multiple-choice, pre-calculus-based questions. The questions range in difficulty and can be quite challenging, but all are within students’ grasp. Because AMC 10/12 covers such a broad spectrum of knowledge and ability, scores on the exam are very variable. The most valuable comparison a student can make is their own performance year to year.

Students who do exceptionally well in AMC 10/12 are eligible to participate in the American Invitational Mathematics Examination (AIME) and the best of AIME in the International Mathematical Olympiad, the most prestigious and difficult secondary mathematics examination in the world. Through this process, the very best young mathematicians are recognized, encouraged and developed.

AMC 10/12 is not an end in itself. Students who do not receive nationally recognized scores should not avoid pursuing mathematics further, and those who do receive such high scores should not think that they have forever proved their mathematical merit. This examination, like all mathematical competitions, remains but a means for furthering mathematical development.

While considering the participation of other states and the list of Maine junior and high schools participating, I kept wondering why Maine does not have more participation in the AMC.

Are students more interested in mathematics in these Maine schools than in those that are not on this list? There is no reason to believe so. Each region produces students curious in mathematics as well as those who do not care for the subject. Students often find it is not popular to like mathematics – to the point of understanding very little about it, and leaving the “job” perceived as mathematics to technology in blind faith. Students who like mathematics are portrayed as impractical, clumsy and dull individuals.

The reality is that mathematics lovers are naturally curious individuals. The competitions contribute a great deal to a student’s mathematical learning, a teacher’s enrichment, and allow a student an experience which is otherwise not provided by the day-to-day school curriculum. Registration is the sole effort schools have to make, and with so much to gain, schools indeed should not miss this opportunity.

As the state director for AMC in Maine, I’d like to encourage teachers and students to participate in this valuable opportunity. There is grant money available to fund new registrants at a fraction of the already low cost of $59 per school. The competition is held locally and nationwide on Jan. 31 and Feb. 15. Students cannot register individually, but through their school. Home-schooled students could register with their school district.

We hope that by encouraging more students to participate in the AMC 10/12 from Maine, we will be able to increase mathematics distinction in the region and prestige in Maine schools. Moreover, we hope to spark a mathematics and engineering interest among Maine school students. AMC 10/12 is a good recruitment tool for the colleges and universities, it is an excellent opportunity to get young people interested in mathematics in general, not just as a class, but as a hobby.

High schools should register as soon as possible at: http://www.unl.edu/amc/b-registration/b1-archive/2005-2006/05-06bro.html. If you need help with registration first-time participants should contact the state director at: evaszillery-mmsets@me.acadia.net

Eva J. Szillery, Ph.D., is the American Mathematics Competitions state director. She is the founder and director of the Maine Mathematics Science and Engineering Talent Search Program.

AMC 10/12 participating schools in Maine

Bangor High School, Berwick Academy, Brunswick Junior High School, Brunswick High School, Boothbay Region High School, Camden Hills Regional High School, Cape Elizabeth High School, Carrabec High School, Cheverus High School, Cony High School, Deering High School, Falmouth High School, Freeport Middle School, George E. Jack School, Gray-New Gloucester Middle School, Greely High School, Holbrook School, Jay High School, Katahdin High School, Lincoln Academy, Maine School of Science and Mathematics, Massabesic Junior High School, Mattanawcook Academy, Middle School of the Kennebunks, Mount Abram Regional High School, Orland Consolidated School, Oxford Hills High School, Portland High School, Presque Isle High School, Saint Dominic Regional High School, Sanford High School, Sacopee Valley High School, Scarborough High School, Schenck High School, St. George School, St. Josephs School, Temple Academy, Thornton Academy and York High School.