In 2024, 82 fifth- through eighth-graders from 16 Nevada County schools participated in the 13th annual TechTest Junior Mathematics Competition held in late February. TechTest Jr. is a mathematics exam that tests students' critical thinking and problem-solving skills. In addition to assessing student skills, this is intended to encourage the development of more critical thinking activities within the county and assist with SAT and ACT test preparation. It also helps prepare students to participate in his TechTest Merit Scholarship Program for high school students, which awards up to $15,000 in college scholarships each year. This year's high school exam will be held on Saturday, April 27th at Nevada Union High School. For more information about our high school programs, please email dpistone@mtstmarys.org. Both contests are sponsored by the Sierra Economic Science Foundation (SESF), and TechTest Jr. is also sponsored by the Nevada County Superintendent of Schools.
TechTest Jr. is available in two versions: one for 5th and 6th graders and one for 7th and 8th graders. Top finishers will receive medals and certificates. The top three finishers in each version of the test can choose from a variety of STEM-related prizes, most recently including robots, quadcopters, science kits, and Raspberry Pi single-board computers.
This contest was held at a local technology company that has been a very generous supporter of this event over the years. This year's hosts were her AJA Video Systems, coordinated by Stacey Wiederhold, and Nevada County Media (NCM), coordinated by Ramona Howard. In addition to hosting the event, these companies also provided lunch, demos, and tours for all students.
Many thanks to local community members Peter Murphy, who helped prepare and score the tests, and to Gordon Sakauye, a former maths teacher at Gilmore, who helped grade the tests.
Congratulations to all the award winners. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to all the students who participated and to the teachers at each venue who contributed to making this possible.
The winners of the 2024 TechTest Jr. contest are:
1st Place – Lucas Coleman (Arete Charter Academy)
2nd place – Alena Alonso (Alta Sierra)
3rd Place – Ellie Green (Mount St. Mary Academy)
1st Place – Vera Crane (GV Charter)
2nd Place – Patrick Smith (Magnolia)
3rd Place – Dylan Prouty (Seven Hills)
5th/6th grade overall topper: 1st place – Vera Crane
1st place – Lena von Luden (Magnolia)
2nd Place – Ivy Wayman (Seven Hills)
3rd Place – Jasper Levinson (Gilmore)
1st – Tryggvi Pehling (Twin Ridges Charter) 2nd – Mykolas Sutherlin (GV Charter) 3rd – Atticus Guy (Seven Hills)
7th/8th grade overall topper: 1st place – Tryggvi Pehling
2nd place – Mycolas Sutherlin
