<html><head><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"></head><body dir="auto"><div dir="ltr"></div><div dir="ltr"><br><br><br>Begin forwarded message:<br><br></div><blockquote type="cite"><div dir="ltr"><b>From:</b> "David Goldfield via groups.io" <david.goldfield=outlook.com@groups.io><br><b>Date:</b> March 26, 2025 at 00:42:21 EDT<br><b>To:</b> tv <tech-vi@groups.io><br><b>Subject:</b> <b>[Tech-VI] APH\u2019s Abacus Bee Encourages STEM Success</b><br><b>Reply-To:</b> tech-vi@groups.io<br><br></div></blockquote><blockquote type="cite"><div dir="ltr">\ufeff
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<p>American Printing House - Tuesday, March 25, 2025 at 11:00\u202fAM</p>
<h1>APH\u2019s Abacus Bee Encourages STEM Success</h1>
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<div><img src="https://www.aph.org/app/uploads/2025/03/Awards-Ceremony_A86A7736_web.jpg" class="ff-og-image-inserted" data-unique-identifier=""></div>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">A hand-held counting tool, the abacus uses lines of circular beads to represent numbers, moving the beads along rods or wires to perform calculations. Created long before the calculator, the abacus has been used for centuries by
scientists and mathematicians on their journey to STEM careers, just as it is used by our contestants in this competition as they race towards their own future success. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<h3 aria-level="2"><span data-contrast="none">What is the Abacus Bee?</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134245418":true,"134245529":true,"335559738":160,"335559739":80}"> </span></h3>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">The Abacus Bee is an annual competition that encourages the development of skills in mathematics for students who are blind or have low vision.
</span><span data-contrast="none">The competition allows the use of various formats like large print, braille, UEB math, or Nemeth code, and ensures that participants can use methods that cater to their individual learning styles and abilities.
</span><span data-contrast="auto">An understanding of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division is key for students to have a solid foundation in the skills necessary to launch a career in STEM. The Abacus Bee not only gives participants the opportunity
to hone their skills but can open doors for them to see themselves as a scientist, a mathematician</span>\u2212<span data-contrast="auto">someone who can succeed in the STEM field.
</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="none">The Abacus Bee is divided into two rounds: the regional competition and finals. This year, there were 10 regional events, with hopes to increase to 14 or even 15 regional competitions next year. The finals for the
</span><span data-contrast="auto">2024-2025 Abacus Bee took place in Louisville, Kentucky on March 14</span><span data-contrast="auto">th</span><span data-contrast="auto"> and 15</span><span data-contrast="auto">th</span><span data-contrast="auto">. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<h3 aria-level="2"><span data-contrast="none">The 2024-2025 Abacus Bee Finals</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134245418":true,"134245529":true,"335559738":160,"335559739":80}"> </span></h3>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">The Abacus Bee finals take place over a two-day period, including both a day of fun and engaging activities for participants, followed by the day of the competition. This year, with the event falling on March 14</span><span data-contrast="auto">th</span><span data-contrast="auto">
(3.14), also known as pi day, the entire day was set to celebrate! Contestants participated in a wide range of pi-centric activities like a \u2018pi off,\u2019 building \u2018pi-scrapers\u2019 with Lego braille bricks, a circumference measuring table, and more.
</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">The following day, contestants were split off into their five competition groups. The groups are based not on age or grade, but solely on skill level. These groups are starters, movers, riders, flyers, and blasters. This ensures
all students participating in the event are competing at a level that matches their understanding. The day begins with 3-4 rounds of written math problems and continues in the afternoon with auditory questions. At the end of the event, winners are announced,
and students get the opportunity to celebrate their success!</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<h3 aria-level="2"><span data-contrast="none">Looking Forward</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134245418":true,"134245529":true,"335559738":160,"335559739":80}"> </span></h3>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">This year, the Abacus Bee included a total of 129 student participants from 10 different states, and 31 finalists. The event has grown significantly since it began in 2022, when there were only two regional competitions. Looking
forward, the Abacus Bee team plans to continue promoting the event with the hopes that even more students may be able to join the list of competitors.
</span><a href="https://www.aph.org/educational-resources/outreach/abacus-bee/"><span data-contrast="none">If you or your student is interested in participating, visit our website for information on how to prepare for next year!</span></a><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<h3 aria-level="2"><span data-contrast="none">Celebrating Winners</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134245418":true,"134245529":true,"335559738":160,"335559739":80}"> </span></h3>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">This year\u2019s 2024-2025 Abacus Bee Finals Winners include the following. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-ccp-props="{"134245417":false,"134245418":true,"134245529":true}"> </span></p>
<p><b><span data-contrast="auto">Starters</span></b><span data-ccp-props="{"134245417":false,"134245418":true,"134245529":true}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">First Place: Pyper</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134245417":false}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Second Place: Bradley</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134245417":false}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Third Place: Gabe</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134245417":false}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-ccp-props="{"134245417":false}"> </span></p>
<p><b><span data-contrast="auto">Movers</span></b><span data-ccp-props="{"134245417":false,"134245418":true,"134245529":true}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">First Place: Fabian</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134245417":false}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Second Place: Tian</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134245417":false}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Third Place: Adam</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134245417":false}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-ccp-props="{"134245417":false}"> </span></p>
<p><b><span data-contrast="auto">Riders</span></b><span data-ccp-props="{"134245417":false,"134245418":true,"134245529":true}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">First Place: Juliana</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134245417":false}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Second Place: Mackenzie</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134245417":false}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Third Place: Y.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134245417":false}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-ccp-props="{"134245417":false}"> </span></p>
<p><b><span data-contrast="auto">Flyers</span></b><span data-ccp-props="{"134245417":false,"134245418":true,"134245529":true}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">First Place: Kayla</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134245417":false}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Second Place: Xia</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134245417":false}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Third Place: Jordyn</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134245417":false}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-ccp-props="{"134245417":false}"> </span></p>
<p><b><span data-contrast="auto">Blasters</span></b><span data-ccp-props="{"134245417":false,"134245418":true,"134245529":true}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">First Place: Luke</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134245417":false}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Second Place: Salome</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134245417":false}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Third Place: Dylan</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134245417":false}"> </span></p>
<p></p>
<p><a href="https://www.aph.org/blog/aphs-abacus-bee-encourages-stem-success/">https://www.aph.org/blog/aphs-abacus-bee-encourages-stem-success/</a></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">David Goldfield,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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