Proofs For Purpose Event, May 2021

WSMA was back with another round of Proofs for Purpose! After the success of the launching of Proofs for Purpose back in May 2020, WSMA decided to run it once again for middle schoolers to strengthen their math skills. Because the COVID-19 pandemic unfortunately prevailed through 2021, many schools in Washington ran virtually, meaning that once again, not all students had access to the same resources as they would in person, and remote learning proved to be quite a difficult environment for many students to thrive in. Through this year’s Proofs for Purpose, we were again able to provide students with that extra intellectual stimulation they may not be having in school. WSMA associates designed 3 challenging math proofs for middle school students to complete within a 2 week timeline. We then graded and provided feedback on student submissions by looking at creativity and overall structure of proof, as well as technical details and “correctness” of solution.

Additionally, this year WSMA donated around $1K to the COVID-19 relief fund at the Seattle Foundation through WSMA's donations on behalf of each participant, with extra donations made in honor of each winning submission. Combined with additional donations from participants, WSMA raised approximately $1,000, helping out the Seattle Foundation in these difficult times. Through this competition, we have gotten the opportunity to read many incredible and creative proofs! Be on the lookout for another Proofs for Purpose event next year!

Here is this year's problem set: 2021 Problem Set

Here is this year's winning solution! 2021 Winning Solution

Proofs For Purpose Event, May 2020

Proofs for Purpose was a free, week-long math puzzle competition aimed to help provide underprivileged students with a fun opportunity to explore the world of math while simultaneously helping our frontline workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Here at WSMA, we understood that with the pandemic came huge detriments to all demographics, one of them being school children. Students were deprived of a stable education for weeks, and underfunded schools especially suffered through those unconventional times. Proofs for Purpose aimed to provide a fun challenge for students free of charge to amplify their interest in proofs when their schools were unable to offer such resources. Three challenging, open-ended math puzzles crafted by WSMA associates were sent to the participants along with a week deadline to solve and/or prove each one.

As a result of our successful event, nearly $1K was donated to the COVID-19 designation of the Evergreen Health Foundation. Our event was able to assist two demographics: the students, by inspiring them to enrich their learnings in math beyond what is offered in the common classroom through fun math puzzles, and the low income demographic along with hospitals who are taking the hardest hits by providing financial aid for basic needs.

Here is this year's problem set: 2020 Problem Set

Here is one of this year's winning solutions! 2020 Winning Solution