Moorhead, Minn. — On Thursday, March 7, Concordia College will proudly host the 41st annual Tri-College Math Contest, a prestigious event that brings together middle school and high school students from across North Dakota and Minnesota. The contest, which rotates between Concordia, North Dakota State University (NDSU), and Minnesota State University Moorhead (MSUM), serves as a platform to showcase mathematical prowess and foster healthy competition.

A Gathering of Mathematical Minds

Approximately 800 students are slated to participate in this year’s contest. These young mathematicians will engage in both individual and team competitions, vying for top honors in their respective divisions. The three classifications include:

Middle School Division (Grades 6-8)
Lower High School Division (Grades 9 and 10)
Senior High School Division (Grades 11 and 12)

The Quest for Excellence

The top four teams and the top 10 individuals in each level and division will be recognized for their outstanding performance. Prizes include plaques to commemorate their achievements, as well as scholarships for the highest achievers. An awards ceremony will take place in the Centrum, located in the Knutson Campus Center, immediately following the completion of the exams at each level.

Event Schedule

Senior High School Level (Grades 11-12)

9:30-10:15 a.m.: Individual Exam (45 minutes)
10:25-10:45 a.m.: Team Exam (20 minutes)
10:45-11:30 a.m.: Lunch
11:30 a.m.-noon: Award Ceremony (Centrum)

Lower High School Level (Grades 9-10)

10:15-11 a.m.: Individual Exam (45 minutes)
11:10-11:30 a.m.: Team Exam (20 minutes)
11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m.: Lunch
12:15-12:45 p.m.: Award Ceremony (Centrum)

Middle School Level (Grades 6-8)

11 a.m.-noon: Lunch
12:15-1 p.m.: Individual Exam (45 minutes)
1:10-1:30 p.m.: Team Exam (20 minutes)
2-2:30 p.m.: Award Ceremony (Centrum)

Collaborative Question Crafting

This year’s contest questions have been meticulously prepared by NDSU. In 2023, NDSU hosted the event, while MSUM took charge of question formulation. Looking ahead, MSUM will play host in 2025, with Concordia contributing to the question bank.

A Return to Hosting

Due to the challenges posed by the ongoing pandemic, this marks the first time since 2018 that Concordia has had the honor of hosting the Tri-College Math Contest. The college community eagerly anticipates a day of mathematical excitement and camaraderie, celebrating the brilliance of young minds in the realm of numbers and equations.