It’s a STEM world, and Duquesne’s math contest helps kids live and thrive in it

“Scholars are saying that this is the area that we’re either going to make it or not make it in the world in the future,” says Bob Furman about STEM skills. Encouraging the math end of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education is what has motivated Furman to grow his Calcu-Solve program. It was once a math contest in an Upper St. Clair middle-school gym, designed to grow the calculating skills of 5th and 6th graders. Now it is open to 5th-12th graders at all local schools and headquartered at Duquesne University.

It’s also set to expand across the state and maybe the nation.

Twenty-five years ago, Furman was the USC school’s principal. Today he is an executive faculty member in the Educational Administration Program at Duquesne University, part of their School of Education’s Department of Foundations and Leadership. Calcu-Solve is now sponsored by the II-VI Foundation, whose founder’s “hope and dream and mission is to improve the math, science and technology skills of today’s youth and maybe create future scientists,” Furman says.

Today the contest involves students only from the Pittsburgh region. Furman is meeting with school officials in surrounding counties in the hopes of expanding participation. His plan next year is to have the Superbowl of Calcu-Solve here for regional winners.

“It’s rigorous math, and it’s amazing what the kids can do,” he says. “It gives you a warm feeling to se what the kids can tackle.”

The contest has both individual and team competitions. Duquesne students are helping develop new math problems for the 9th to 12th grade students. “It’s just a math world,” Furman concludes, “and we have to make sure our kids are prepared and competitive.”

To arrange participation in Calcu-Solve, call Furman at 724-344-9894, or click here.

Writer: Marty Levine

Source: Bob Furman, Duquesne University