Louisiana Tech University mathematics program recently held its inaugural Integration Bee – an integral calculus competition aimed at providing students with confidence in publicly solving complex mathematical problems. Organized by Dr. Jonathan Walters, lecturer of mathematics at Louisiana Tech, the Integration Bee featured 20 students from various majors within the College of Engineering and Science who took a preliminary exam to begin the tournament.  The top 16 students then began the tournament, which pitted two students against one another solving the same problem on a whiteboard in a head-to-head competition. The student who completed the problem correctly first advanced to the next round. Matthew Fults, a junior electrical engineering and mathematics student, took first place in the Integration Bee with Hoai La, a sophomore in chemical engineering, placing second, and George Cazenavette, a sophomore majoring in cyber engineering and computer science, taking third place. Matt Brandl, a senior in computer science, also participated in the final round earning fourth place. Walters says that the students and faculty at Louisiana Tech helped make the event a success.  “Our students did an amazing job competing in and supporting this event. Participants were able to answer the questions correctly, quickly and efficiently. It was exciting to watch our students attack these integrals. In addition, faculty from across the university attended the competition to make it truly special.” “The mathematics and statistics program at Louisiana Tech is pleased to have hosted our first Integration Bee,” Dr. Katie Evans, director of the mathematics and statistics and industrial engineering programs and the Integrated STEM Research Center at Louisiana Tech added. “Through the dedication of outstanding faculty like Dr. Walters, I am proud of the high quality academic experience and extracurricular activities we provide our students.” Written by Brandy McKnight – mcknight@latech.edu