The Mathematical Puzzle Programs (MaPP) Challenge is an annual puzzle hunt designed to challenge your students' mathematical problem solving abilities. These puzzles are inspired by ideas outside the usual arithmetic-to-calculus sequence, so advanced mathematical coursework isn't necessary to enjoy the game!

"Mathematical Puzzle Programs (MaPP) Challenge '24: Dahlia in the Riddling Realm" is a team-based event for 7th-12th grade students. Each team is composed of up to eight students, with at least six students per team suggested (a teacher chaperone is also required for each team). We would love to have teams representing each of your schools this year!

Teams will be presented with puzzles testing their deductive reasoning ability and introducing concepts from mathematical fields such as cryptography, game theory, or others. Solving puzzles will require the team to run out and interact with Lamar University’s campus. For more details about the event, see https://www.mappmath.org/puzzles/challenge/

Date: Thursday, February 15, 2024

Location: Lamar University

Tentative Schedule:

• 9:15 am: Registration at the food court in the Setzer Student Center
• 9:45 am: Orientation
• 10:00 am: Puzzle hunt begins
• 12:00 pm: Gather to proceed to dining hall
• 12:15 PM: Headcount and dining (return to team headquarters responsibility of team/sponsors)
• 1:30 pm: Deadline for turning in solutions, gather for closing ceremonies

Register Now!

Students and chaperones are encouraged to bring a bottle for water. Teams will have to arrange their own transportation, and there will be a registration fee of $20/person (please let us know if the expense is an issue, and we'll find a way to include your teams at a reduced rate). This will go toward the ClueKeeper app to use during the event, a shirt for each participant and chaperone, as well as lunch at the Brooks-Shivers Dining Hall. We would love for your students to be involved, so please let us know if the registration costs are an issue.

Registration will be first come, first served. While it is likely that all teams that are interested can participate, it is possible that we will reach our capacity, at which point registration would be closed.

We have provided a "teaser" puzzle to give you a taste of the kind of mathematical challenges your teams will face. Contact pjcouch@lamar.edu for more information, and feel free to share it with whomever you like; I hope to hear from you soon!

Additional Instructions and Requirements for Participating Schools

• ClueKeeper App: Each team must provide at least one smart device with GPS, cellular internet access, and the ClueKeeper app installed. Submitting solutions and finding hidden locations on campus will be done via this app. A smartphone belonging to a student will likely serve this purpose; teammates can use additional devices to connect to the app as well. Please contact PJ Couch for assistance.
• Campus Map: MaPP Challenge will be run within the area bounded by Rolfe Christopher, Jimmy Simmons, Jim Gilligan, MLK, and Lavaca as pictured on the campus map. Teams will be based in the Setzer Student Center, but players will need to use GPS on their smart device to check-in to certain locations on campus throughout the game. In particular, teachers should not bring students they do not trust to explore this portion of Lamar University’s campus without direct supervision. Students remain the responsibility of their teacher/sponsor during this event.

 For more details about the event, see https://www.mappmath.org/puzzles/challenge/

Example Puzzle

Example Solution