AURORA - Two teams from the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy® (IMSA) received the highest ranking possible in the 12th annual international High School Mathematical Contest in Modeling (HiMCM).  Their performance placed IMSA among the top eight schools in the world in this year's competition.

The IMSA team including Paul Chung of Barrington, Derek Hardin of Morton Grove, Bonny Jain of Moline, Seohyun (Chris) Kim of Schaumburg, Vladislav Kontsevoi of  Evanston, Andrew Lee of  Darien, Sid Narayanan of  Dunlap and Yanchen (Jack) Shi of  Dunlap received the rank of "National Outstanding".  Only eight teams out of 277 that competed worldwide received this ranking.  A second IMSA team including Webster Guan of Lisle, Peter Lu of Lisle, Nolan Maloney of Naperville and Stanley Yuan of Naperville received the rank of "Regional Outstanding."

Although international studies generally place the United States in the middle of the pack compared to other countries, IMSA President Dr. Max McGee noted that IMSA's students have proven to be among the best in the world, in international competitions.

"For the fifth consecutive year, IMSA's math teams have received the highest ranking possible in this international event showcasing how mathematics can be used to solve some of the world's most challenging scientific, economic and social problems," McGee said.  "IMSA students and coaches, both past and present, are to be commended for this amazing achievement."

The High School Mathematical Contest in Modeling is a 36-hour contest where each team is expected to solve a mathematical modeling problem.  Each team then prepares and submits a paper discussing their solution to the problem.

IMSA's "National Outstanding" team had to build a mathematical model to devise an effective, feasible, and cost-efficient national water strategy for 2010 to meet the projected needs of the United Stated in 2025.  In particular, the model had to address storage and movement, de-salinization and conservation as some of the possible components of the strategy while considering the economic, physical, cultural and environmental effects.  Students then had to provide a position paper for the United States Congress outlining their approach, its costs and why it is the best choice for the nation.

IMSA's "Regional Outstanding" team had to create a mathematical model to compare the devastation of various-sized earthquakes and their resulting Tsuanis on the following cities:  Boston, MA; Charleston, SC; Hilo, HI;  New Orleans, LA;  New York, NY; and San Francisco, CA.  Students then had to prepare an article for the local newspaper that explained what was discovered in the model about one of those cities.

Outstanding teams will have their solution papers (or their solution abstracts) published in COMAP's Consortium newsletter among other places.  More information on the contest can be found at http://www.comap.com/highschool/contests/himcm/.

The internationally recognized Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy® (IMSA) develops creative, ethical leaders in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.  As a teaching and learning laboratory created by the State of Illinois, IMSA enrolls academically talented Illinois students (grades 10-12) in its advanced, residential college preparatory program, and it serves thousands of educators and students in Illinois and beyond through innovative instructional programs that foster imagination and inquiry. IMSA also advances education through research, groundbreaking ventures and strategic partnerships. (www.imsa.edu)

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Deadline Nearing for America's Farmers Grow Communities  ProjectTo Help Communities During Tough Economy

ST. LOUIS (Feb. 5, 2010) - In this tough economic climate, fundraising can be particularly challenging for many non-profit organizations. But now, agricultural youth groups as well as civic organizations across Iowa can enlist support from local farmers to win a $2,500 award. The application process for farmers is simple. With the deadline fast approaching, they just need to visit www.growcommunities.com and fill out a short form by Feb. 28, 2010.

The America's Farmers Grow Communities  Project is a pilot program that enables farmers throughout Iowa and in parts of Arkansas and Missouri to enter a local agricultural organization or other non-profit community group to win a donation. Monsanto Company, the program sponsor, will award one $2,500 donation in each of the eligible counties, which include all 99 Iowa counties amounting to nearly $250,000 in statewide funding.

"Although only farmers can submit an award application, we're also encouraging eligible community organizations to approach farmers they know to ask to be entered," said John Raines, Monsanto Vice President of Customer Advocacy. "From looking at the entries coming in, we are impressed by the diversity of very worthwhile community groups that are important to Iowa farmers."

Ag youth organizations, such as 4-H and FFA, account for many of farmer entries received to date. Other community groups also receiving a high number of entries include schools, libraries, fire departments and emergency medical services, economic development groups, hospitals and community centers.

To participate, Iowa farmers must be age 21 and over and be actively engaged in farming a minimum of 250 acres of corn and/or soybeans. The application period runs through Feb. 28, 2010. The program is open to all qualifying farmers, and there is no purchase requirement.

Farmers can apply online or request a copy of the official rules of the award program at www.growcommunities.com, by calling 1.877.267.3332 or by sending a self-addressed, stamped envelope to America's Farmers Grow Communities Project, 914 Spruce St., St. Louis, Mo. 63102.

MOUNT PLEASANT, IA (02/04/2010)(readMedia)-- Dr. Nancy Erickson, vice president for academic affairs at Iowa Wesleyan College, Mount Pleasant, has announced the names of students who have qualified for the 2009 fall semester Dean's List. To qualify for the Dean's List, a student must attain a grade point average of 3.50 or better on a 4.00 scale with 10 credit hours or more and no incomplete grades at the time the list is declared.

Those from the Quad Cities area include :

Timothy Bean, a Senior from Durant, IA

Meredith Frasier, a Senior from Moline, IL

Travis Parker, a Senior from Taylor Ridge, IL

Ayla Serrano, a Freshman from Rock Island, IL

The mission of Iowa Wesleyan College is to prepare students to succeed in a changing global environment. Iowa Wesleyan is a four year liberal arts college providing quality, individualized learning experiences that combine the development of the intellect with adaptive life skills. The college is affiliated with the United Methodist Church, with which it shares a commitment to spiritual values, social justice and human welfare.

Iowa Wesleyan College is the oldest private coeducational liberal arts college west of the Mississippi River. For more information about Iowa Wesleyan College please visit the website at www.iwc.edu

WLLR is among 32 Clear Channel radio stations nationwide hosting radiothons February 11-12

(Quad Cities, IA) - (February 8, 2010) - Radio station WLLR will host its 18th annual Country Cares for St. Jude Kids radiothon Thursday, February 11th and Friday, February 12th from 6am to 6pm on both days, live from the HyVee in Rock Island, IL and Davenport, IA. The radiothon raises money for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, one of the world's premier center for the research and treatment of cancer and other catastrophic childhood diseases.

Among this year's highlights, Quad Cities-area St. Jude patient Eric will share his experience with radiothon listeners. Eric was a former St. Jude patient and is now healthy and living in the Quad Cities area. Eric is just one of the tens of thousands of children who have benefited from the cutting-edge research and treatment at St. Jude since it opened in 1962. Local listeners interested in helping Eric and other children like him can pledge a donation by calling 800.345.4673 or by visiting WLLR's Web site, www.wllr.com.

At St. Jude, families never pay for treatment not covered by insurance, and no child is ever denied treatment because of the family's inability to pay. Like most organizations, St. Jude has not been immune to the effects of the economy. Now more than ever, St. Jude needs the support of country music listeners to continue its mission of finding cures and saving children.

The radio fundraising program began in 1989 after Randy Owen, lead singer of the music group ALABAMA, met St. Jude founder Danny Thomas. Since its inception, Country Cares has grown to be one of the most successful radio fundraising events in the nation with more than 200 radio station partners raising more than $365 million in pledges.

"I'm so proud that the music that helped me put bread on my table and have a career is the same music and the same fans, to a certain degree, that have made incredible contributions to Country Cares," Owen said. "I look forward to the future. I absolutely know we're making a difference in a very positive way."

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is internationally recognized for its pioneering work in finding cures and saving children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases. St. Jude is the first and only pediatric cancer center to be designated as a Comprehensive Cancer Center by the National Cancer Institute. Founded by late entertainer Danny Thomas and based in Memphis, Tenn., St. Jude freely shares its discoveries with scientific and medical communities around the world. St. Jude is the only pediatric cancer research center where families never pay for treatment not covered by insurance. No child is ever denied treatment because of the family's inability to pay. St. Jude is financially supported by ALSAC, its fundraising organization. For more information, please visit www.stjude.org.

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