While the Math Club is not an official member of a competition league yet, club members are engaging in independent competition, like the upcoming tournament at Stanford University.

Kyle Chan, a junior, has been in the Math Club since his freshman year.  Zachary Scherer, a sophomore, joined the club this year. Both are eager for February’s competition at Stanford.

Scherer said, “It’s exciting because you don’t just work on your own, you get to work in teams.”  There are no requirements in order to get to Stanford, said Chan. “It is a Campo Math Club tradition to go to this tournament, so we just set up a team,” he explained.

Those representing the club at the Stanford competition have yet to be chosen. According to Scherer, the teams are mainly decided based on interest. The people who come regularly to meetings are the most likely to be selected.

Scherer said, “Hopefully we will have at least six people to go to Stanford out of the fifteen students who come to the lunchtime meetings regularly.”

Ability to solve equations is not the only trait necessary for selection to the squad. “It is based on teamwork. It is not just you solving the problems by yourself, it is working together,” said Scherer.

“Most of the [problems] are theoretical, they aren’t just complications. They require theories,” explained Chan.

Scherer added, “It is more problem solving than actual math. The problems are more practical, you apply them to real life.”

The Math Club began meeting in September. Chan is currently considering plans for a summer math club. Chan said, “I would like to scout out a math competition that would be likely for the following school year. Over the summer we would gather to sharpen up our math skills.”

Chan is hoping to get the Math Club’s team synergy together so they can join an official  league. The Math Club meets weekly in D9.