On Saturday, May 28th,  at Adamsville Recreation Center between the hours of 12 and 3pm students from different Atlanta Neighborhoods will test their math skills against each other and represent their neighborhoods in Atlanta's newest tradition--Neighborhood Mathematica. Neghborhood Mathematica is more than jut a math competition; it is a celebration of math education in our city, and addresses in Atlanta what has become a national crisis--the math achievement gap.

In 2010 only 12% of 8th-grade African-American males were proficient in grade level math, compared to 44% of their Caucasian counterparts in the same grade. While both figures are well below where they should be, the difference according to race and socio-economics continues to baffle educators and social scientists. 

In response to this crisis, students from the City of Atlanta Centers of Hope have been gearing up for Neighborhood Mathematica with First in Math online math game modules. These modules have allowed students to make great use of their spare time while at the recreation centers or while at home.  Volunteer math coaches were also dispatched to the different centers to help students in their quest to sharpen skills.

Businesses and organizations such as Morgan Xpress Transportation, Mercedes-Benz of Atlanta, DoSomething.org, Campbell Cottrell, & Associates,  and Cinderella Accessories have contributed as sponsors for the event. Full Circle Mentoring Agency, an Atlanta nonprofit which serves at-risk youth, served as Neighborhood Mathematica's fiscal sponsor, giving the program tax-exempt status.

If you're looking for something new and interested to attend on this Memorial Day weekend, Neighborhood Mathematica is the perfect event for children and anyone who supports the cause of education and closing the achievement gap. There will be food, prizes,music, and of course, an exciting competition!