Steamboat Springs Students Excel in National NOETIC Math Contest

Students across the Steamboat Springs School District are showing strong math skills and a love of challenge through their participation in the NOETIC Learning Math Contest, a national math competition for elementary and middle school students.

In the Fall 2025 contest, 132 students in grades 3 through 8 from Soda Creek Elementary, Strawberry Park Elementary, Sleeping Giant School, and Steamboat Springs Middle School participated. Students worked independently to solve 20 challenging math problems in 45 minutes, and their scores were then compared with those of students across the country. Nationwide, 33,223 students from 619 schools in 43 states participated in the fall contest.

In Steamboat Springs, students performed especially well, with 57 students earning Honorable Mention (top 50 percent nationally) and 30 students earning Honor Roll recognition (top 10 percent nationally).

One particularly noteworthy achievement came from the fourth-grade class at Strawberry Park Elementary. All 12 students scored in the top 50 percent of the nation, with six students placing in the top 10 percent. Competing against more than 7,100 fourth graders nationwide, the team also earned the Team Achievement Award, placing 18th in the nation. This was the only team in Colorado, across all grade levels, to receive this distinction, marking the first time in 13 years of Steamboat Springs School District participation that a team has earned the award.

Gifted education teacher Robin Alt coordinates NOETIC participation at Strawberry Park and Soda Creek elementary schools and supports students as they prepare for the contest. She organizes practice sessions using past NOETIC exams so students can become familiar with the format and style of questions.   

Supporting students in their preparation is Sally Lambert, a retired engineer who works with students once a week for six to eight weeks leading up to the contest.

“My students love having Sally come in, and they love NOETIC – the problems, the challenge, the anticipation, the competition,” Alt said.

The NOETIC Math Contest is offered twice each year, in the fall and spring, and Steamboat Springs students will participate again in the Spring 2026 contest.