Middle school students from across the region visited Central Methodist University on Tuesday, October 1 for the annual Mary and Ted Forbes Middle School Math and Science Competition.
The campus has long been host to a yearly competition for students in grades 4-8 but took on the Forbes name in 2012 to honor a pair of graduates from the 1930s who went on to become teachers. Mary and Ted both taught in Howard County in one-room schoolhouses, teaching mathematics and science, respectively.
The Forbes family continues to play a role at CMU for this competition in particular, providing the students’ lunch and plaques for the winners. The first place plaques feature an etched image of the couple on their wedding day.
“We are very grateful for the generosity of this family in providing financial ongoing support for this competition that encourages an celebrates students who strive to excel in math and science,” said Dr. James Gordon, CMU professor of chemistry.
Each year, students take part in a knowledge competition in which they answer questions in areas of physical, biological, and earth science, and mathematics. They also participate in a performance event in which they must creatively solve a particular problem. This year, the project was to design a Hoop Glider – a modified type of paper airplane – using straws and paper hoops to make a glider that will fly as far as possible.
“We are always impressed with both the students’ knowledge and ingenuity in solving problems,” Gordon said.
Award-winning schools in this year’s competition among fourth and fifth grade teams included Marshall in first place (Teddy Papreck, Tyler Brooks, and London Heinzler), Brunswick in second place (James Reid, Henry Butterfield, and Nathaniel Sims), and Marshall again in third place (Marlee Fuchs, Alyson Bolling, and Sydney Dehim).
In the sixth through eighth grade competition, the team from Carrollton (Hannah Ritchhart, Tess Grider, and Clarice Owen) took home the top prize, while Marshall (Holly Huston, Garrett Boedecker, and Eliza Papreck) took second, and Slater (Alexis Eddy, Logan Boggs, and Robert Pannell) earned third place.
Approximately 80 students competed throughout the day, visiting from Fayette, New Franklin, Slater, Carrollton, Westran, Marshall, Miami, and Brunswick.