Campus News

Public Health holds inaugural high school statistics competition

By JACKIE HAUSLER

Published June 5, 2019

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More than 30 high school students traveled to the School of Public Health and Health Professions (SPHHP) last week for the first-ever UB Statistics Program Competition.

The teams of juniors and seniors from Amherst High School, Grand Island High School and Mount St. Mary Academy presented posters with an analysis of an assigned data set they had prepared before the competition with the help of faculty members at their respective high schools.

The teams were judged based on poster design, use of statistical methods, clarity of the message and creativity of the project. The winning teams were awarded prizes and plaques to commemorate their participation and achievements.

Taking first place were Nicholas Carey and Natalie Turck, led by faculty member Natalie Gallagher from Grand Island High School; second-place winners were Ian Nettleton, Aden Clemente, Max Rosen and Ian Leising, led by faculty member Kim King from Amherst Central High School; and placing third were William Soos, Christian Whetham, Kassidy Taylor and Brady Hofmeyer, led by faculty member Natalie Gallagher from Grand Island High School.

“The competition not only allowed students to showcase their talents, but it also allowed them to learn more about rewarding careers in the field and interact with university faculty and local industry leaders,” said Greg Wilding, professor and chair of the Department of Biostatistics.

“It is a wonderful educational opportunity aimed at high schools students interested in the growing field of statistics.”

The growth in the field and the increasing demand for experts in the job market led SPHHP in 2017 to offer an undergraduate degree program in statistics.

To learn more about the Department of Biostatistics and the programs it offers, visit its website.