The Department of Statistics at Grand Valley State University (GVSU), the Regional Math and Science Center at GVSU, and the Michigan Council of Teachers of Mathematics are pleased to announce the 2021 Michigan Statistics Poster Competition for K-12.

The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) Standards for Curriculum and Evaluation in School Mathematics presents the vision that problem solving is a primary goal of mathematics instruction and recommends student involvement in statistical activities at all grade levels. According to the Standards, and echoed by the Michigan K-12 Standards for Mathematics, statistical thinking should begin in the primary grades with the creation of student data from class activities. In upper grades, collecting, organizing, summarizing, and interpreting data are emphasized. The statistics poster competition is a powerful tool for attaining these goals while exercising essential communication skills. In addition, the competition provides a means for students to be creative and have fun.

A statistics poster tells the story of a data set through numbers and graphs. A series of four articles that explain the process used to create a statistics poster and photos of last year’s winning entries are available at the Michigan Statistics Poster Competition website. All students in K through 12 residing in Michigan are eligible to submit statistics posters to the competition.

Entries will be judged in four different grade level categories: K-3, 4-6, 7-9, and 10-12. Students may work individually or in teams. For the K-3 category, there is no restriction on the size of the team; it may be as large as the entire class. For the other three categories, the team may have up to four students. 

There is no entry fee. The deadline for submitting a poster to the Department of Statistics at GVSU is March 26, 2021 and prize winners will be notified by April 16, 2021.

Posters may be mailed or dropped off. NOTE:  Due to the pandemic, posters may be submitted in electronic format (image, PDF, or PowerPoint files) this year, in addition to the usual mail / drop-off options.  Regardless of submission type, all participants must register through the online system.  Complete the Stats Poster Competition registration.  All posters must be received or postmarked by March 26.

First, second, and third place prizes in the amounts of $72, $48, and $36, respectively, will be awarded in each of the grade level categories, and winning entrants' schools will receive plaques signifying the honor. Honorable mention certificates will be awarded, as well. All posters become the property of the Department of Statistics at GVSU. Winning posters are also sent to the national competition hosted by the American Statistical Association, where they are eligible to win further prizes.

2021 Statistics Poster Competition flyer

Posters must be registered through the competition website.

For more information, please contact event organizer Dan Adrian at [email protected].