Mathathon, continued:
Traditionally, the students would collect pledges and then work math problems in a printed booklet. The project has taken a turn toward meeting the interests of participating students by providing the math activities in the form of a CD-rom. The CD, which may be used in the school setting or taken home, is compatible with Windows 95, 98, 2000, ME, and XP. Several students reported problems getting the CD's to work at home, but there is a site provided to deal with frequently asked questions: www.mathathon.org/cd_info/faq.htm Each student who participated received a certificate; those who raised $35 or more earned a t-shirt and a ticket to Six Flags. Top earners were Iris Islas, Omar Salinas, and Miguel Ramirez. The cause is aimed at supporting the work of St. Jude Children's Hospital, which is internationally recognized for its pioneering work in finding cures and saving the lives of children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases. The program, entitled "The Mystery of the Missing Laboratory," incorporates new problems and exciting gaming techniques to create a challenging and stimulating experience for students of all ages. The math activities are presented by grade level. Participation is an excellent way for students to get involved with service to others. The organization's website, http://www.mathathon.org/index.htm , included the following testimonial: "The Math-A-Thon is a wonderful way of letting children use their own knowledge and talents while helping other children who are less fortunate. We utilized the event as a teaching and learning tool as we help to make our students good, caring citizens." Founded by the late Danny Thomas and based in Memphis, Tennessee, St. Judge freely shares its discoveries with scientific and medical communities around the world. No family ever pays for treatments not covered by insurance, and families with out insurance are never asked to pay. St. Jude is financially supported by ALSAC, its fund-raising organization.
Special thanks go to our eighth graders who supervised the students doing their Mathathon work in the computer lab.