At Citadel, 'it's cool to be a geek'

Twelve-year-old Zhymir Thompson's eyes light up when he talks about how much he loves math.

"It's cool to see numbers and how you can use them in different ways," the River Oaks Middle School student said.

Zhymir was one of about 100 Lowcountry middle schoolers participating in the MathCounts mathematics challenges at The Citadel on Friday. It marked the launch of Engineering Week, where the military college holds events meant to ignite middle schoolers' interest in science, technology, engineering and math.

Ron Welch, dean of The Citadel's School of Engineering, said he wants students to know that "it's cool to be a geek."

He doesn't have to convince Zhymir.

"They're just crazy," Zhymir said of his friends who don't like math.

Welch said the college is committed to working with young people to inspire them to pursue careers in science and math-related disciplines. And it's important to start with middle schoolers, he said.

Students participating in Friday math competitions were a racially mixed group, and many girls were involved, he said. But often few minority or female students enroll in such programs in high school and beyond.

If students don't take some tough math and science classes in high school, they are unlikely to major in such programs at the college level, he said, "It's all about prerequisites."

Taylor Todman, who is 13 and a seventh-grader at North Charleston's River Oaks Middle, said she likes "to use numbers in a way that can expand your mind." She was the only girl on the River Oaks team, but "I'm going to pull the weight for all the girls at my school," she said.

Taylor knows some people think math is difficult. But she would like them to know that "when I put my mind to it, it was easier than I expected it to be."

The Citadel's Engineering Week runs through Tuesday and includes bridge-building, robotics and trebuchet competitions.

"The goal is to engage these kids and get them excited," Welch said.

What: Engineering Fair, which includes bridge-building and robotics competitions

When: 8 a.m.-noon today

Where: Buyer Auditorium, Mark Clark Hall

What: Storm The Citadel Trebuchet Competition, an event in which teams that designed and built trebuchets will compete to hit targets

When: 9:30 a.m. today

Where: Summerall Field

What: Celebrate the G in Engineer, and event for Girl Scouts. The girls will participate in activities that introduce them to engineering.

When: 2-5 p.m. Sunday

Where: Buyer Auditorium, Mark Clark Hall

What: Charleston Engineers Joint Council Annual Engineer's Banquet

When: 5:30-8 p.m. Tuesday

Where: Holliday Alumni Center, 69 Hagood Ave.

Cost: $15 for students and $35 for adults. Purchase tickets online at www.swelowcountry.org.