Coachella Valley Kids Set To Showcase Their Math Skills

COACHELLA VALLEY, CA — More than 200 Coachella Valley middle school students will showcase their math skills during the 29th annual "Math Field Day" this Saturday at John Glenn Middle School in Indio.

The event will be held from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 2 at 79-655 Miles Ave.

Hosted by the Rotary Club of Indio, students from Desert Sands, Coachella Valley and Palm Springs unified school districts and from participating private schools will take part in a series of competitive events, hands-on games and team challenges.

Each school will select a team of up to 30 students accompanied by a faculty adviser to compete in numerous events, including a calculator-free arithmetic challenge, a problem-solving challenge and building materials from everyday items.

"For nearly three decades, Math Field Day has shown what's possible when a community comes together around its students. Our Rotary members remain committed to creating opportunities that inspire curiosity, build skills and strengthen the future of the Coachella Valley," Rotary Club of Indio President Avisinia Rodriguez said in a statement.

Guest speaker Maria Wren, an education program manager at the Palm Springs Air Museum, a NASA solar system ambassador and co-founder of SMART education, will discuss mathematics, air travel and space exploration.

Organizers said an awards ceremony will be held at 12:30 p.m., with cash prizes valued at $100 for first place and $50 for second for selected "top mathematician," and trophies, ribbons and certificates of participation will be handed out to top performers.

"There is nothing quite like the energy in the room where students are competing, collaborating and genuinely having fun with math. Math Field Day reminds us that learning can be joyful and exciting," Martha Mendez, event coordinator, said in a statement.