Area students compete in academic games

Students from throughout Butler, Lawrence and Mercer counties took part in academic games focusing on U.S. presidents Jan. 12 and 14 at SRU. Photo by Jamie Greene, emerging technology and communication major from Moon Township

Jan. 14, 2016

SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. - More than 500 students representing 27 school districts, as well as nonpublic, charter and career and technical schools from throughout Butler, Lawrence and Mercer counties, attended the Midwestern Intermediate Unit IV Academic Games Jan. 12 and 14 at Slippery Rock University's Smith Student Center.

Competitions are conducted at various times during the school year, with topics including mathematical equations, on-sets, propaganda, LinguiSHTIK, U.S. presidents and world events. The Academic Games League of America supplies questions for each category and competition.

The academic games offer the opportunity for higher achieving and gifted students in grades 5-12 to compete against one another as teams and individuals for the chance to advance to the Tri-Bowl, a state tournament with players from across Western Pennsylvania.

Victorious Tri-Bowl teams and individuals then travel to the AGLOA National Tournament in the late spring to face players from around the country.

"Watching the dedication the kids put into these competitions is really amazing," said Marilyn Goodrich, academic games coordinator for MIU IV. "Many of them spend hours creating their own study binders on each topic, as well as approaching each competition like a networking event...talking to students from other districts and picking up study tips and the like."

Additionally, the information contained within the competition materials support the Pennsylvania Core Standards, which should reflect "rigorous, high-quality academic expectations in English Language Arts and mathematics that all students should master by the end of each grade level," according to the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

MEDIA CONTACT: Robb King | 724.738.2199 | robert.king@sru.edu