The University of Tulsa (UTulsa) proudly hosted the 2025 East Central Regional MATHCOUNTS Competition, continuing a nearly 40-year tradition of promoting excellence in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) education. Committed to STEM outreach with events like MATHCOUNTS, UTulsa continues to foster the next generation of innovators. This annual event brought together 153 middle school students from 20 schools across eastern Oklahoma, showcasing their mathematical skills and problem-solving abilities in a lively competition.
MATHCOUNTS is a nationwide math enrichment program designed to engage middle school students of all ability levels, building their confidence and fostering a love for problem-solving. The event, often compared to the Spelling Bee for its competitive format, featured several rounds of written and oral challenges. Top students from this regional competition will advance to the state competition in Oklahoma City on March 1, with hopes of qualifying for the national finals in Washington, D.C., on May 11-12.
Robert Strattan, professor of electrical engineering, is a longtime supporter of MATHCOUNTS and science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) programs. “It is a true honor to witness such passion for STEM and have a hand in this 40-year partnership with the Oklahoma Engineering Foundation (OEF),” Strattan said.
“MATHCOUNTS is more than just a competition—it’s an incredible opportunity for students to challenge themselves, build their problem-solving skills, and discover the joy of mathematics,” said Kimberly Adams, senior instructor of mathematics. Adams also serves as the director of the Tulsa Girls Math Circle, a member of Tulsa Math Teachers Circle and is director of CyberCity Tulsa.
The East Central Regional competition concluded with five teams advancing to the state level:
- Jenks Middle School
- Regent Preparatory School
- Jenks East Intermediate School
- Saint Pius X School
- All-Star Team
UTulsa has long been a hub for STEM education, engaging students through numerous outreach programs and providing a supportive environment for aspiring engineers, mathematicians, and scientists. In addition to the team awards, the university has historically awarded scholarships to the top ten individual competitors for future enrollment.
For more information about MATHCOUNTS, visit the MATHCOUNTS Foundation and Oklahoma Engineering Foundation.