Editor’s note: The following was written by Wynnona Buchner and Hazel West, two participants in the FERMI sixth-grade elective. Pagosa Springs Middle School’s Terri Lindstrom reported the Pagosa Springs Hexagonal Hamilton Halves — Buchner and West — are tied for first place in the Wall Math League, the Monkey Mathematicians — Ariah Archuleta and Lily Vega — are in second, and the Pink Pentagons — Kiara Patel, Merick Halterman and Brooke Anderson — are tied for third.
The Pagosa Springs Middle School FERMI teams are on a roll. After taking most spots in the leaderboard, we are set to destroy all rival teams.
You might be asking, “What is FERMI?” FERMI is a middle school/junior high elective where you compete with other teams all across the country. We get a question at the beginning of every week, and we must solve it. We show all of our work and write detailed metacognitions, walking the judge through our steps.
Upon interview with some of the FERMI contestants, they said:
“I really liked FERMI. It was fun to make models and learn about the countries that the challenge was based off of.” — Vega.
“I think I did really well, but I had some challenges that came with solutions.” — Ana Romero Gallegos, Math Girlies.
“I really liked FERMI, it was a great experience to expand on academic culture.”— Halterman.
“I think I did really well and it was a great opportunity to use creative skills.”—Anderson.
“I really liked Fermi. It challenged my creative skills, but it was fun to think out of the box” — Patel.
“It was awesome.” — Tyson Seweol, The Little Fermlets.
