The H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISyE), renowned for fostering innovation in mathematics, statistics, and engineering, highlighted its commitment through the acclaimed Probability and Statistics High School Competition, a cornerstone initiative shaping future industry leaders, specifically from underrepresented backgrounds.  

According to Dr. Tuba Ketenci, Dr. Debankur Mukherjee  and Dr. David Goldsman, who are pivotal in organizing the event, the competition is much more than a contest; it's a gateway for high school students, hailing from diverse backgrounds to the realms of applied mathematics and engineering. 

Launched in Spring 2022, the competition unfolds in two dynamic stages, beginning with an online round tailored for nationwide accessibility, ensuring inclusivity for students across the country – and globally. 

Held on January 26, 2024, the initial round was meticulously crafted by ISyE's current Ph.D. students, who delved into the high school statistics curriculum to develop a challenging set of multiple-choice questions.  

Following this, the top 40 standout performers from the first round earned the prestigious opportunity to advance to the second round, further showcasing their statistical acumen. 

The second stage elevated the experience for the top contenders by bringing them to the Georgia Tech campus for a lively, in-person competition on April 19, 2024.  

Among the bright young minds who entered the second round, Samy El-Zahabi, a first year student from Chattahoochee High School, stood out by clinching first place, showcasing his exceptional skills in statistics and problem-solving. 

El-Zahabi's journey to the top was fueled by his passion for competitive mathematics, a subject he has been enamored with from an early age.  

“I’ve always been interested in competition mathematics, the fact that I had solved a statistics problem book and enjoyed solving it motivated me to enter this competition.” El-Zahabi explained. 

Preparation was key to El-Zahabi’s success.  

He diligently utilized resources provided by the ISyE HS competition website, including a formula sheet and past competition questions.  

Victory Through Strategic Intuition  

A pivotal moment in the competition came when El-Zahabi decided against using a calculator, and instead relying on calculated guesswork and his strong grasp of statistical fundamentals. This strategy paid off, leading him to victory through a combination of instinct and strategic elimination processes. 

Discussing the challenges, El-Zahabi highlighted the complexity of some problems, “There were some questions which caught me off guard. Luckily, I had a solid understanding of the fundamentals, helping me navigate through those questions”. 

Harnessing Statistics for Future Victories 

The victory was unexpected but has fortified El-Zahabi’s future academic and career aspirations.  

Aspiring to become a neurosurgeon, he recognizes the significant role statistics play in medicine. “Statistics is a major aspect of medicine," he noted. "winning the first prize has only bolstered my belief in the importance of having a strong foundation in statistics for my future career.” 

El-Zahabi’s advice to future competitors is to leverage the available resources and embrace the practical applications of mathematics.  

“Forget what grade you are in, as long as you utilize the resources offered and love practical mathematical applications, you’ll enjoy the competition.” 

This remarkable achievement not only highlighted El-Zahabi’s prowess but also set a stellar example for young statisticians everywhere, something which ISyE, through this competition, aims to promote. 

Ketenci, Mukherjee and Goldsman’s plans for the future of the competition include addressing diverse challenges by adding more content to the competition and potentially incorporating advanced classes to attract a broader participant base. 

As the competition evolves, its impact is poised to extend further, inspiring a new generation of talent and contributing to the academic landscape.  

The vision is clear: to embed the competition into high school curriculums, and make it an anticipated event nationwide. 

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Authors: Atharva Anand Dave