Campus News

Public Health holds inaugural high school statistics competition

Two students set up their display before the competition begins. Photo: Douglas Levere

 Two students set up their display before the competition begins. Photo: Douglas Levere

Precision is needed for a perfect poster presentation. Photo: Douglas Levere

 Precision is needed for a perfect poster presentation. Photo: Douglas Levere

Amherst Central students (from left) Samuel Stoddard, Madison Jorgenson and Christopher Corby chat with Gary Giovino, associate dean for faculty affairs in the School of Public Health and Health Professions, about their project, "Playing vs Starting," which explored whether playing more than one sport increases the chances of being a starting player. Photo: Douglas Levere

 Amherst Central students (from left) Samuel Stoddard, Madison Jorgenson and Christopher Corby chat with Gary Giovino, associate dean for faculty affairs in the School of Public Health and Health Professions, about their project, "Playing vs Starting," which explored whether playing more than one sport increases the chances of being a starting player. Photo: Douglas Levere

The judges considered several criteria to determine the winners, including poster design, use of statistical methods, the clarity of the message and the creativity of the project. Photo: Douglas Levere

 The judges considered several criteria to determine the winners, including poster design, use of statistical methods, the clarity of the message and the creativity of the project. Photo: Douglas Levere

Dietrich Kuhlmann (far right), research professor and undergraduate director in the Department of Biostatistics, chats with (from left) Erin Watson, Abigail Bradley, Grace Young and Emily Bingham of Mount St. Mary's. Photo: Douglas Levere

 Dietrich Kuhlmann (far right), research professor and undergraduate director in the Department of Biostatistics, chats with (from left) Erin Watson, Abigail Bradley, Grace Young and Emily Bingham of Mount St. Mary's. Photo: Douglas Levere

Jean Wactawski-Wende, dean of the School of Public Health and Health Professions, shakes hands with participants in the inaugural statistics competition. Photo: Douglas Levere

 Jean Wactawski-Wende, dean of the School of Public Health and Health Professions, shakes hands with participants in the inaugural statistics competition. Photo: Douglas Levere

Grand Island student Christian Whetham explains his team's research to judge Jihnhee Yu, associate professor of biostatistics. Photo: Douglas Levere

 Grand Island student Christian Whetham explains his team's research to judge Jihnhee Yu, associate professor of biostatistics. Photo: Douglas Levere

Gary Giovino speaks with Grand Island team members Kassidy Taylor (red flowered dress) and Brady Hofmeyer (baseball cap) during the competition. Photo: Douglas Levere

 Gary Giovino speaks with Grand Island team members Kassidy Taylor (red flowered dress) and Brady Hofmeyer (baseball cap) during the competition. Photo: Douglas Levere

Grand Island mathematics teacher Natalie Gallagher takes a group photo with her students. Photo: Douglas Levere

 Grand Island mathematics teacher Natalie Gallagher takes a group photo with her students. Photo: Douglas Levere
Slideshow
previous next
of change view fullscreen

By JACKIE HAUSLER

Published June 5, 2019 This content is archived.

Print

More than 30 high school students traveled to the School of Public Health and Health Professions (SPHHP) last week for the first-ever UB Statistics Program Competition.

The teams of juniors and seniors from Amherst High School, Grand Island High School and Mount St. Mary Academy presented posters with an analysis of an assigned data set they had prepared before the competition with the help of faculty members at their respective high schools.

The teams were judged based on poster design, use of statistical methods, clarity of the message and creativity of the project. The winning teams were awarded prizes and plaques to commemorate their participation and achievements.

Taking first place were Nicholas Carey and Natalie Turck, led by faculty member Natalie Gallagher from Grand Island High School; second-place winners were Ian Nettleton, Aden Clemente, Max Rosen and Ian Leising, led by faculty member Kim King from Amherst Central High School; and placing third were William Soos, Christian Whetham, Kassidy Taylor and Brady Hofmeyer, led by faculty member Natalie Gallagher from Grand Island High School.

“The competition not only allowed students to showcase their talents, but it also allowed them to learn more about rewarding careers in the field and interact with university faculty and local industry leaders,” said Greg Wilding, professor and chair of the Department of Biostatistics.

“It is a wonderful educational opportunity aimed at high schools students interested in the growing field of statistics.”

The growth in the field and the increasing demand for experts in the job market led SPHHP in 2017 to offer an undergraduate degree program in statistics.

To learn more about the Department of Biostatistics and the programs it offers, visit its website.