UW-Oshkosh math contest draws record 1,226 students from across Wisconsin

A record 1,226 middle and high school students from 65 schools across 39 Wisconsin districts filled the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh campus for the eighth annual Mathematical Problem-Solving Contest, marking the largest turnout in the event history.

From early morning through the afternoon, students moved between individual and team competitions, working through problems that emphasized strategy, collaboration and creative thinking.See photos here.

"This was our biggest year yet, and you could feel that energy throughout the day," said Eric Kuennen, UW-Oshkosh mathematics professor and founder of the contest. "Students were fully engaged, working together, testing ideas and really leaning into the challenge."

Beyond the competitions, the campus came alive with hands-on experiences, from the Math Exploration Center's puzzles and logic challenges to the fast-paced Face Off game show and crowd-drawing demonstrations like Volcanoes on the Quad.

"What we hope students take away is that math can be active, collaborative and a lot of fun," Kuennen said. "It's also a chance for them to experience a college campus and start to picture themselves here."

The day concluded with an awards ceremony at Kolf Sports Center, recognizing top individual and team performances and closing out a record-setting event.

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UWO School of Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics

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More than 1,000 middle/high students dive into UWO math contest, get taste of college