Complex mathematical formulas and equations were no match for the team from Spanish River Community High School, which took the top prize on Saturday in the first-ever Palm Beach Atlantic University High School Mathematics Competition sponsored by Hewlett Packard.
Atlantic Community High School came in second, and Palm Beach Gardens Community High School finished third in the competition, which was held in Palm Beach Atlantic's Gregory Hall. In all, six teams representing public and private schools across Palm Beach County participated.
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| The Spanish River Community High School math team won first place in the University's first High School Mathematics Competition sponsored by HP. |
Using HP tablet PCs instead of traditional pencil and paper, the four- to five-member teams raced against the clock to solve problems involving algebra, trigonometry, statistics and pre-calculus. Before the competition began, the teams received training in how to use the tablets.
The machines are equipped with DyKnow, an interactive software program that enabled the questions to appear on each team's computer screen simultaneously. Students could submit answers electronically as well.
In another room, parents and teachers also could see and work on the questions.
"It's a cool new way to compete," said Neal Patel, a member of the Palm Beach Gardens team.
"It's responsive," said Zach Doherty, also a member of the Palm Beach Gardens team. "I was surprised at how responsive it really was."
The first-place team – made up of Spanish River students Jesse Salomon, Jordan Reuter, Kristine Yhang, Nick Rochwerger and Eric Pelz – received a trophy, and each team member received a $100 gift card to Best Buy. Members of the second-place team each received $50 Best Buy gift cards, and the third-place team received $25 gift cards.
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| Students used HP tablet PCs to view questions and submit answers during the PBA High School Mathematics Competition on Saturday. |
The first-place finish was one of the highlights of the year for the Spanish River team, which attended all of its regional competitions for the Florida Association of Mu Alpha Theta mathematics honor society as well as Florida Atlantic University Math Day, where the team placed in the top three and won $300.
"Everything was very organized, and I liked that the students had an opportunity to work with the HP tablets as they solved math problems during the competition," Spanish River team sponsor Mary Fish said. "My students really enjoyed themselves."
The HP 2710p tablet PCs and DyKnow software are part of a two-year pilot program at PBA to improve mathematics instruction. Through a grant from HP, the University has 20 of the tablets.
"HP is extremely honored and proud to be a part of Palm Beach Atlantic's mathematic department's foray into pen-based computing technologies," said Jacqueline Micklos, enterprise account manager for the personal systems group in HP's higher education division.
"Utilizing technology in new and forward-reaching ways, it is my personal belief that Palm Beach Atlantic's students will truly become participants within the 21st century learning environment."