Middle school students across the state of Montana are invited to register for a free online mathematics contest set for 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12.

The American Mathematics Competition 8 contest is part of the American Mathematics Competition series developed by the Mathematical Association of America. The series provides an opportunity for students to develop positive attitudes toward analytical thinking and mathematics that can assist in future careers. Students apply classroom skills to unique problem-solving challenges in a low-stress and friendly environment. The contest, hosted each year by Montana State University’s Science Math Resource Center in the College of Education, Health and Human Development, typically takes place on the MSU campus but will be held virtually this year due to COVID-19 restrictions.

The material on the 25-question, 40-minute test includes topics from a typical middle school mathematics curriculum. Students up through eighth grade and under 14 1/2 years old on the day of the competition are eligible to participate. Registration is free and open until spots are filled. The Science Math Resource Center will award a $100 gift card to the best score and $75 to second place. Similar events for older students will be held in the spring.

To help students prepare for the contest, the Science Math Resource Center will provide an optional online workshop from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 31.

The deadline to register for the contest is Saturday, Nov. 7.

For more information or to register, visit montana.edu/smrc/documents/American_Mathematics_Contest.html.