Sony Computer Science Lab Invites American Students to Participate in Global Math Challenge

NEW YORK, Feb. 25, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Sony Computer Science Laboratories, Inc. (Sony CSL) today announced that for the first time, the Global Math Challenge (GMC) will be available in the United States.  Previously offered in Japan and developed in Tokyo by Sony CSL, the GMC takes a new, connected approach to math contests of old. Registration for the GMC is now open to math lovers ages 13 and up.  The test will be administered online on Sunday, March 22, 2015.  Participants will be able to log on between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m. in their respective time zones, and will have one hour to complete the entire exam.

"The Global Math Challenge is one of Sony CSL's network service initiatives," said Hiroaki Kitano, President and CEO, Sony CSL. "We believe that the area of social learning holds great potential for future growth, and the GMC is the first example of the high-quality educational offerings we plan to make available on a global basis."   

"We believe that the GMC meets a demand for exciting, engaging content that can help to motivate people of all ages to get involved in more activities relating to science, technology, engineering and math (STEM)," said Masaaki Isozu, Senior Product Manager, Sony CSL. "Math is the one subject where people can compete worldwide on a level playing field, without any concerns about physical or cultural barriers."

Featuring beautifully designed brain teasers engineered to encourage a combination of intuition and intelligence, the GMC pits math minds from around the world against each other, with participation expected from the U.S., Japan, China, Spain and beyond.  Will New York have more math fans than New Jersey?  How will the U.S. stand up against China when it comes to mathematics?  With the GMC, we can find out.

The test and results are free.  If challengers want additional insight into their logical thinking, as well as learn their rank among all GMC test takers globally, they can upgrade to the GMC Standard Plan for $20.  The Standard Plan provides test takers with clear, in-depth analysis and step-by-step explanations for every question, highlighting both where strong points lie, and where improvements can be made.  It also gives challengers the opportunity to see how they stand against other math fans across the world with the Global Math Ranking. 

Sony CSL partnered with The Japan Prime Math Olympic Committee to develop the GMC. With the experience of running Japan's premier math contest for the past twenty years, the Committee developed questions that will delight math lovers across the globe - be they in Boston or Barcelona, Sapporo or Shanghai. The GMC is also proud to be a member of the Global STEM Alliance of the New York Academy of Sciences, and is committed to helping to inspire and prepare gifted students around the world for a future in STEM.

www.global-math.com

Overview of Global Math Challenge

Open for registration: February 10, 2015

Event day:  March 22, 2015

Entry age: 13+

Price: Trial Plan - Free
          Includes:  Entry and answers to the contest

          Standard Plan - $20
          Includes: Entry, answers, detailed test statistics, step-by-step explanations and a global
          math ranking.

Technical requirements:  Runs on all modern browsers.  Google Chrome is recommended for the best experience.   

About Sony Computer Science Laboratories, Inc.

The Sony Computer Science Laboratories (Sony CSL) were founded in February 1988 for the sole purpose of conducting research relating to computer science. Our objective, as stated in the intent of establishment, is ''to contribute extensively to social and industrial development through original research that looks ahead to the 21st century and has the potential to achieve breakthroughs in computer technology.'' It is our policy to make public the results of our research. In the first decade after the foundation, we have been focusing on research in distributed operating systems, computer networks, programming languages, human-computer interaction, and other fundamental aspects of cutting edge research.

While the spirit of the original intent is still valid, we are now expanding our areas of research further into complex systems, brain sciences, systems biology, and mechanisms of consciousness and cognition; all are areas where synergetic interactions with computer science research are expected. With work in these fields, we hope to bring new insight to our already extensive research in computer science.

For more information: http://www.sonycsl.co.jp/

About the Japan Prime Math Olympic Committee

The Japan Prime Math Olympic Committee has been running the premier math contest in Japan for over twenty years. Founded in 1992 by Fields Medallist Professor Heisuke Hironaka, thousands of school children take part in their contests each year - many of who go on to represent Japan in the International Math Olympiad.  

For more information: http://www.sansu-olympic.gr.jp/

About The Global STEM Alliance of the New York Academy of Sciences

The Global STEM Alliance (GSA) is an international initiative of more than 70 partners and 50 countries and regions—a collaboration of governments, corporations, educational institutions, and nongovernmental organizations—working together to assure the next the generation of STEM innovators.

The goal: to provide access to great STEM programming across the world and deliver students the critical skills necessary for 21st century careers via a comprehensive, technology-based learning platform.

For more information: http://globalstemalliance.org/

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SOURCE Sony Computer Science Laboratories, Inc.