Noetic Math Contest 26-27 School Year

Help Fund the Noetic Learning Math Contest for Young Minds in Steamboat Springs 2026-2027 school year.

Imagine over 70 local children — 4th through 7th graders — stepping into a math contest together. Not high-stakes stress, but curiosity, excitement, and discovery. That’s the vision behind our community’s effort to offer the Noetic Learning Math Contest (NLMC) during the school day — led by a retired engineer — free of charge.

What is the Noetic Learning Math Contest?The NLMC is a national semi-annual math-reasoning competition for elementary and middle school students (grades 2–8). Twice a year — in the fall and spring — students are given a 45-minute test (or 50 minutes for the online format) to solve 20 thought-provoking math problems. 

NLMC is more than a timed test. It’s a gentle yet powerful gateway to mathematical confidence, creativity, and logical thinking. The contest is designed not to reward rote memorization, but reasoning, pattern-recognition, logic, and flexible problem-solving — skills that help children not just in math class, but in everyday life. 

Last year, tens of thousands of students nationwide participated. Noetic Learning.

Why it matters — especially for Steamboat Springs

• A springboard for confident mathematical minds. For many kids, NLMC is the first structured math competition. Participating helps children discover what they can do when given a problem that stretches them just beyond their comfort zone. 

• Problem-solving, not just memorization. Because the contest emphasizes reasoning, logic, geometry, number sense, and pattern work — rather than memorized formulas — it helps build genuine mathematical maturity. 

• Accessible to all — during school hours. This year’s program is led by a retired engineer, and lessons are given during the school day. That means children who might not have access to after-school enrichment — whether due to transportation, after-school obligations, or other barriers — can still participate.

• No cost to families. The total cost per child is $178.50. With over 70 students, this represents a significant community investment — and one that removes financial burden from parents while still offering meaningful enrichment.

Why your support matters.  When we open doors for these kids, we’re doing more than funding a test. We’re fostering curiosity. We’re building analytical thinkers. We’re planting seeds of confidence. We’re helping young minds learn that math can be playful, creative, and empowering.

But to make this happen, we need support. By contributing, you help underwrite the cost of contest registration, materials, and in-school instruction — ensuring that no child is left behind for lack of funds.

Learn more / Give today.  To support this initiative — or to learn more — visit our website: yampaascent .org

We believe that every child deserves a chance to discover the joy of problem-solving. With your help, we can make that chance real — for bright, curious students in Steamboat Springs.

Thank you for believing that it’s never too early to fall in love with math.