Two teams of Columbia students participated in the IMPACT competition at Siena College on Friday, testing their problem-solving skills in math and computer science. IMPACT stands for Interested in Mathematics and Problem solving but unAware of Computer Talent.
The team of Joshua Thompson, Emily Olds, Bailey Campbell and Tyler Piel won the competition, which had 25 teams from 10 local high schools. Cooper Zwanka, John Guzek, Alexandra Bellisario and Sarah Steele also represented Columbia.
“The students really enjoyed the mini-lessons and activities that the Computer Science department at Siena provided, the lunch buffet in the dining hall and the panel of Siena students who did a great job explaining the different opportunities that computer science has given them in their college classes, internships, research projects and, eventually, careers post-Siena,” said Columbia teacher Jessica Hladik.