The Institute of Creative Problems Solving for Gifted and Talented Students at SUNY College at Old Westbury recently announced that David Sandowski, a student at Plainview-Old Bethpage JFK High School, is one of 75 students this year to be named Long Island Young Scholar of Mathematics, and has been accepted by the institute to pursue mathematics and science studies.

To qualify for this honor, the 75 students who were selected for the institute's three divisions, each consisting of 25, competed against 950 of the top ranking students nominated from the school districts on Long Island. Selection by the institute implies that a student is among the top 1/10 of 1 percent in math of all students on Long Island in his or her grade. Acceptances were based on five criteria: a rigorous entrance exam, the school transcript, recommendation of the last math teacher, an application form, and a brief statement written by the student.

Each student will be expected to spend 60 hours in class during 20 Saturday mornings and 60 hours on related outside projects. The curriculum will cover mathematical topics from algebra, geometry, and number theory not included in the standard courses of study, such as problem-solving applied to probability, drawing of ocean bottom, theory of finite differences, and mass point geometry. Additionally, selected topics in science will be discussed.

Participants will develop their ability to use a variety of problem-solving skills and strategies; increase their interest and enthusiasm for problem-solving in mathematics; sharpen their mathematical intuition and develop their "brain power;" become acquainted with interesting and important mathematical ideas; and experience the fun, satisfaction, pleasure, and thrill of discovery associated with creative problem-solving.

Over the years, many of the institute graduates have gone on to win prestigious awards, including national and international math, science, and engineering contests. Each year a number of students have been selected to be Intel (formerly Westinghouse) award recipients for the national science search.

The director and founder of the Institute is Dr. Jong Pil Lee, distinguished service professor at SUNY-Old Westbury. The project consultants to the institute are Dr. George Lenchner, the founder and former executive director of Math Olympiads for Elementary and Middle Schools; Dr. Henry Pollak, a former president of the Mathematical Association of America; and Dr. Bruce Vogeli, director of Mathematics Program at Teachers College, Columbia University. The instructional facility include Richard Kalman, the executive director of Mathematical Olympiads for Elementary and Middle Schools, Curt Boddie, president of New York State Interscholastic Mathematics League, and Rose Ambrosino, National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, Curriculum Standards trainer.

The institute is supported by SUNY College at Old Westbury, the Nassau County Mathematics Teachers Association, the Suffolk County Mathematics Teachers Association, the Nassau County Interscholastic Mathematics League, the Nassau County Association of Mathematics Supervisors, and the Mathematical Olympiads for Elementary and Middle Schools.