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U.S. TO HOST 2001 INTERNATIONAL MATHEMATICS OLYMPIAD
For the first time in nearly 20 years, and only the second time in history, the U.S. will host the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO).
Assistant Secretary of Education Kent McGuire made the announcement today, joined by officials from the IMO, the White House Office on Science and Technology, the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Security Agency (NSA).
The 42nd IMO will bring together 500 of the most talented high-school-age mathematics students from nearly 100 countries. During the competition, students work individually over a two-day period on six challenging problems, presenting their solutions in essay-style proofs, similar to those of research mathematicians.
"This competition presents an opportunity to underscore the value of mathematics and to celebrate the accomplishments of our most outstanding students," said U.S. Secretary of Education Richard W. Riley. "At the same time, we must continue to stress the importance of higher standards and more challenging mathematics coursework for all students."
America has scored among the top five teams in 21 of 24 years of competition in the Olympiad. But according to the Third International Mathematics and Science Study, U.S. 12th graders outperformed only two of the 21 participating countries.
"That's why we created the new National Commission on Mathematics and Science Teaching for the 21st Century, to be chaired by former U.S. Senator and astronaut John Glenn," Riley said. "The year-long Commission, which held its first meeting last week, will develop a strategy to raise the quality of mathematics and science teaching in all of the nation's classrooms."
In 1996, the U.S. Department of Education awarded a five-year, $500,000 grant to the Mathematical Association of America to begin planning for the Olympiad's return to the U.S. In addition, the following organizations also provided seed money: NSF, $400,000; NSA, $250,000; and Wolfram Research, Champaign, Ill., $280,000.
The theme of the 2001 IMO is Mathematics Expands Horizons. The competition will be held at George Mason University in suburban Virginia, with opening ceremonies on July 4th. At the closing ceremony, outstanding performances will be honored with the award of gold, silver and bronze medals.
The international math competition began in Romania in 1959 with seven eastern European countries.
Additional information regarding the 42nd International Mathematical Olympiad is available on the web at imo2001.usa.unl.edu.
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