Media Advisory: Up to 200 students at AMO competition hosted by SIU

October 27, 2026

Media Advisory: Up to 200 students at AMO competition hosted by SIU

CARBONDALE, Ill. — Up to 200 middle school and high school students are expected at the American Math Olympiad hosted by the Southern Illinois University Carbondale STEM Education Research Center (SERC). 

The competition takes place on Thursday, Oct. 29, at the Student Center and brings together students from Cairo, Carbondale High School, Carbondale Middle School, Benton Middle School, Springfield High School and Herrin Junior High School. 

Reporters, photographers and news crews are invited to cover the event at noon when the competition is finished. Organizers, teachers and students will be available for interviews in room Ballroom B. 

The Olympiad is an international math competition for elementary, middle and high school students. The SERC began the competition in 2021 to engage students in challenging, high-quality mathematics problems and critical thinking skills. Now, in collaboration with the Singapore International Mastery Contests Center, more than 6,000 schools are enrolled across 50 countries with nearly 50,000 student participants. The competition consists of the rigorous contest in the fall, and then top scoring participants receive a medal in the spring. 

Media wishing to cover the event should contact Harvey Henson at henson@siu.edu, or 618 453 4214.