Trig-Star Program
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What is Trig-Star?
Trig-Star is an annual high school mathematics competition based on the practical application of Trigonometry. Students that participate are not only provided with an opportunity to earn awards, but also leave with a better understanding of the technical profession of Geomatics, which includes Land Surveying and Mapping.

Professional Land Surveyors use the Trig-Star program to advance communication with the communities they serve. Local Land Surveying and Civil Engineering companies provide professionals who volunteer their time to explain how trigonometry is used to solve Land Surveying and Mapping problems.

The purpose of the Trig-Star program is:
a) To promote excellence in the mastery of mathematics in high school.
b) To honor high school students who have demonstrated their superior skill among classmates at the local, state, and national levels.
c) To acquaint the high school students with the use and practical applications of mathematics in the Geomatics professions.
d) To build awareness of Geomatics as a profession among mathematically skilled high school students, career guidance counselors, and high school math teachers.

What happens during the Trig-Star Contest?
There may be a presentation by a Land Surveyor from one of the local surveying companies to help participants understand the Geomatics profession. The exam is a timed exercise of one hour, during which students must solve trigonometric problems that incorporate the use of right triangle formulas, the law of sines, and the law of cosines. Winners are determined by the most correct answers in the fastest time. The Trig-Star program, in the State of Ohio, has three levels of testing and awards.

The first level is given at The Local High Schools.

There is one winner at each high school who receives a plaque, an award and who then moves on to the second level.

The overall Chapter finishers receive cash awards depending on placement (2008):

1st place - $100
2nd place - $50
3rd place - $25.

The second level is The State Exam.

Results from each of the local high school winners are used for participation at the state level and will be awarded (2008):

1st place - $250
2nd place - $125
3rd place - $75
4rth place - $50

The winner then moves on to the third level.

The third level is the national test. The state winner from each of the participating states will compete for the National Trig-Star title

National awards provided by the National Society of Professional Surveyors Richard E. Lomax National Trig-Star and Teaching Excellence Awards

The awards are as follows (2008):

1st place - $2000
2nd place - $1000
3rd place - $500

ASKEGA 2008 Trig-Star Class

 

Teacher:  Mr. Richard Havens
1st:  Johnathan Wilson
2nd: Greg Buchan
3rd:  Joanne Beckwith

Coordinated By:
 Frank Snyder (Jefferson)
Scott Raypholtz (Kenston)

Place(s):
Kenston and Jefferson Local School

Attendance: 20 students
Contact: fsnyder@burnip.com

 NTSC winners

 

ABOUT THE WINNERS & NOTES

First Place
Johnathan Wilson is also a senior and prior Trig Star 2007 competitor. He successfully completed (i.e. had a perfect score of 100%) the exam in 34 minutes, 23 seconds this year as the number 1 finisher in the ASKEGA contest and was declared the Ohio winner in May. Johnathan will compete in the National test in early June. Fortunately the weather cooperated the day of the exam, it rained, otherwise Johnathan may have been in the first game of a baseball double-header for the Falcons. The Falcons baseball team, by the way, wrapped up the Northeast Eastern Conference championship for the 3rd straight year, and won again just before Johnathan showed up at our meeting. Johnathan plans on attending the Ohio State University to major in the Geomatic Engineering (Surveying) program.
See The Official Award! (.pdf 40kb)

2nd Place
Greg Buchan is a senior and veteran Trig Star award winner, having tied for 2nd place in the 2007 local competition and 3rd at the state level. Greg is also a two time local talent show winner on the drums along with being an Eagle Scout.

3rd Place
Joanne Beckwith is a junior, she was involved in the mentorship program this year working with Smolen Engineering Limited of Jefferson. Joanne had to miss a Saturday morning track meet in order to take the test on April 5th.

All three of these young adults are great examples of students and citizens that we're proud to acknowledge. Their teacher, Mr. Havens is also to be commended for his dedication to mathematics, our youth and the many other things he does for the betterment of our community.

 

The ASKEGA Chapter will provide awards of $100, $50, $25 to the winners. The Professional Land Surveyors of Ohio provided an additional award of $250 to the state winner.