After acing an international math competition, two Nashua sisters are now focusing their efforts on an even bigger goal of narrowing the gender gap in mathematics.

Nisha and Ankita Devasia took the American Mathematical Competition, or AMC 10, a 25-question, 75-minute, multiple choice exam in secondary school mathematics comprised of algebra and geometry problems. This year, the AMC 10 competition included 65,113 students from 2,171 schools.

Nisha, a Nashua High School South sophomore, placed in the top 1 percent of test-takers, earning a spot on the Distinguished Honor Roll. Ankita, an eighth-grade student at Fairgrounds Middle School, was named to the Achievement Roll for students who scored at least 90 out of 150 possible points.

“It was a hard test, but it was hard for everyone,” Nisha said. She said test-takers more or less calculated their scores before hearing the official results last Friday. When Nisha heard she made the top 1 percent, it wasn’t a shock.

“I guess I already knew, but it was a good feeling,” she said.

“It was exponentially more difficult than I expected. I was thrilled I didn’t do as bad as I thought,” said Ankita.

The purpose of the test is to foster interest in math, and develop math skills. Problems range from very easy to extremely difficult. Nashua students in grades seven through 10 tested together in the Nashua High School South cafeteria at the end of February.

Nisha said the gender disparity was evident in the testing group, with male test-takers clearly outnumbering females. “In general, I didn’t notice the big gender gap until high school, and then it was like ‘wow,’” said Nisha.

To help address that disparity, Nisha began a math tutoring group for girls at Fairgrounds Middle School in January. Without the right support, girls interested in math could give up, she said.

“They’re interested in math, but don’t have enough help,” she said. She also tutors at the high school through the Math Honor Society.

She hopes that as women gain confidence in math, more women may feel at home in the discipline.

“It’s good to have other girls in your subject.”

The Fairgrounds group has started small, but Nisha hopes it can pick up momentum between now and her senior year.

“It’s like the ‘butterfly effect;’ there are only three (students) now, but I hope to expand the number of girls through twelfth grade,” she said.

Assistant Superintendent Jennifer Seusing and Fairgrounds Principal Sharon Coffey helped Nisha organize the group, along with Fairgrounds guidance counselor Samantha Little. Little selected students for the group who sought the extra help.

“I wanted it to be a good fit,” she said.

Coffey said although she did not see as many women in higher level math classes when she was in school, the trend seems to be changing. “I’m seeing more female math teachers. … There is only one male math teacher here,” she said.

“The big thing too is advocacy; the girls have been asking for help,” said Little.

Coffey and Little agreed the group should be able to grow, particularly as middle school students prepare to transition to high school.

“It’s good to work with some of these kids to be ready for high school algebra,” said Coffey.

Using results from i-Ready, a diagnostic test that targets instruction needs, Little advises Nisha where students she’s tutoring need the most help so she can tailor lessons. “She definitely meets their needs,” she said.

Nisha and Ankita plan to continue competing in math programs outside of school. Nisha will move on to take the AMC 12 next year, a more difficult version of the AMC 10, while Ankita has a couple more years on the AMC 10. Ankita will also participate in the State Math Counts competition Saturday.

“It’s kind of a stressful competition with the most elite students in the state, but it’s a lot of fun,” she said.

Nisha said she was a part of one of the only all-girls national team for New Hampshire Math Counts, where the gender disparity was also noticeable.

She plans to take her cause to the next level. “I’m starting a nonprofit for tutoring just for girls,” she said. Nisha hopes to launch the group next year.

Tina Forbes can be reached at 594-6402, tforbes@nashuatelegraph.com or
@Telegraph_TinaF.