Mathnasium of Issaquah will host the National TriMathlon at its learning center Sept. 29. The event is free and open to all students in third, fourth, fifth and sixth grades attending public, private, or home school. The event is intended to create excitement about math among area students and schools.

The TriMathlon consists of three challenges: The Counting Game (tests student’s ability to count from any number, to any number, by any number), Magic Squares (students are awarded points for developing their own math problems), and Mental Math Workout (evaluates student’s number sense by asking them to solve given problems the ‘smart’ way without pencil and paper). Questions become progressively more difficult for students in higher grade levels.

Along with medals for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners, each participant will receive a certificate of achievement for their involvement.

National TriMathlon winners will be selected from the top three scorers in each grade level from all participating Mathnasium locations. The 12 national winners will receive honors and split $10,000 in cash prizes.

The ultimate goal of Mathnasium is to help kids become “mathematically powerful,” to “build a strong foundation so no matter what program they’re doing in school, they can handle it and do the underlying math,” according to Mathnasium Chief Instructional Officer and founder, Larry Martinek.

Mathnasium of Issaquah is located at 4546 Klahanie Drive SE, Issaquah. More information and online registration is available at www.mathnasium.com/TriMathlon.