Problem Solvers Put Math Skills To Test

CORRECTION: (March 11, 1995): A panel discussion on youth violence Tuesday at Evergreen Junior High School begins at 7 p.m. The time was reported incorrectly in Thursday’s Valley Voice.

University High School math instructor Gerry Manfred makes it a point to teach students about applying math and science in the “real world.”

After taking part in a math and science competition last weekend, they learned he was right.

Fifteen University High School students, along with about 70 other high school students from around Eastern Washington, answered questions about seatbelt safety, food preservation and other related subjects at the 16th annual TEAMS (Tests of Engineering, Aptitude, Mathematics and Science) competition Saturday at Gonzaga University.

“They learned to work together in groups,” said Manfred, a math teacher and advisor to University High School’s team. “They also learned that real-world problems are practical and involved.”

University High’s varsity and junior varsity teams placed second to teams from Lewis and Clark High School at this year’s competition. Last year, the varsity team finished first in the region.

University High’s varsity was made up of team captain Scott Santens, Greg Rivers, Tony DeStefano, Steve Humphreys, Mike Rands, Brian Bishop, Alex Gibson and Ryan Spear.

The junior varsity team was made up of captain Jeff Hollenbach, Evan Sims, Jason Phillips, Mike Rosa, James Stokoe, Alga Notham and Steve McDaniel.

The TEAMS competition was divided into two parts. The first half was spent answering more than 100 math and science-related questions. During the second half, the students had to justify their answers.

“Most engineers would have had a tough time putting it all together,” said Manfred.

Twenty students at University High meet with Manfred once or twice a week during their lunch periods to solve math-related problems and to prepare for competitions.

Most of the teams’ members are in honors calculus, physics and chemistry. They are preparing for the Washington State Teachers Organization competition next week at Eastern Washington University.

TEAMS is sponsored nationally by the Junior Engineering Technical Society and locally by Gonzaga University and the Washington Society of Professional Engineers.

Rapid Rabbit rapidly approaching

East Valley High School’s 11th annual Rapid Rabbit Run will take place March 16 at the high school.

The 5-mile race, a qualifying race for Bloomsday’s second seed, will start at 10 a.m. The 3-mile fun run will begin at 11 a.m.

Medals will be awarded for both races to the first three males and first three females who cross the finish line. All participants will be entered in a prize drawing.

Race entries are available at local sporting good stores and at any school in the East Valley district. The $10 entry fee includes a T-shirt. A no-shirt option is available for $5. Entries must be handdelivered to East Valley High School before 3 p.m. March 13. The late entry fee is $13.

Between 1,500 and 1,900 people have taken part in the Rapid Rabbit Run each year for the last five years.

East Valley High’s boys cross country team will also be serving a pancake breakfast that day from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The cost will be $3 for adults and $2 for children 12 and under.

For more information, contact Judy McCarty at 927-3200 or 226-3106.

Youth violence discussion

A panel discussion on youth violence in Spokane County will take place at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Evergreen Junior High School.

Sponsored by the Central Valley PTA Council, the event will feature Rick Van Leuven of the Spokane County Sheriff Department as the key speaker.

The panel members will include: teachers, parents and principals of the Central Valley Safety Core Committee; Spokane County Sheriff John Goldman; Spokane County Prosecutor Jim Sweetser; and Rand Young from the Spokane County Juvenile Court System.

Child care will be provided. The event is free to the public.

Smithsonian on Broadway

Broadway Elementary is having its own Smithsonian Museum this week. A full-size Nordic ship and other hand-made items are on display throughout the school.

Call 927-8020 for more information.

MEMO: Education Notebook is a regular feature of the Valley Voice. If you have news about an interesting program or activity at a Valley school or about the achievements of Valley students, teachers or school staff, please let us know. Write: Education Notebook, Valley Voice, E13208 Sprague, Spokane, WA 99216. Fax: 927-2175.