Cowley College Math and Science Day 2026 Set for October 7

Cowley College will host Math and Science Day from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.Wednesday, Oct.7, 2026, on the college’s Main Campus in Arkansas City. The event will give students an opportunity to put their math, science, problem-solving, communication and teamwork skills to the test through a variety of interactive challenges.

Math and Science Day will feature five events designed to challenge students in different ways, with opportunities to compete for cash prizes and the Math & Science Day Champion Scholarship.

Breakout will combine the excitement of an escape room with academic puzzles. Teams of up to four students will race against the clock to crack codes, solve clues and complete challenges based on the event’s annual theme. Four groups will be available.

In CSI, students will step into the role of detectives as they analyze clues, examine evidence and use logic and observation to solve a mystery. Groups may include up to two students, with seven groups available.

Ping Pong Launcher will challenge students to design and build their own launcher before the event. During Math and Science Day, teams of up to two students will put their creations to the test and compete to see whose design can score the most points. There is no limit to the number of groups that can participate, but launchers must be built prior to the event.

Write It – Build It will test communication, precision and teamwork. Teams of up to three students will work together as one teammate describes a science-themed sculpture while the others attempt to recreate it using only the verbal instructions provided. Ten groups will be available.

Maze Masters: Coding Challenge will put students’ coding and teamwork skills to the test. Teams will work together to write code that guides their program through a challenging maze as quickly as possible. Each group will receive a laptop and a unique maze to solve. Success will depend on coding accuracy, teamwork, and strategic problem-solving. Teams may include up to three students, with up to eight groups able to compete.

Students can also participate individually in Puzzle Fest, which will feature brain-bending challenges designed to test logic, focus and speed. There is no limit to the number of participants.

Participants will compete for cash prizes in each event. First-place teams will receive between $40 and $80 depending on the event, with second and third-place prizes also available. In addition to the event prizes, students who earn a first-place finish at the Cowley College Math and Science Day event can qualify for the Math & Science Day Champion Scholarship.The scholarship covers tuition and books for up to 18 credit hours.

To maintain the scholarship, students must maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA and full-time status in consecutive semesters. Scholarship recipients must be enrolled in at least nine credit hours of face-to-face instruction per semester. Students are also required to live on campus unless they live locally with a parent or guardian.

The scholarship provides an opportunity for Math and Science Day competitors to turn their success at the event into an investment in their college education.

Additional event information, including registration details can be found here.

Hunter Ferguson | Integrated Communications Specialist
Cowley College
125 S. 2nd Street
Arkansas City, KS 67005
hunter.ferguson@cowley.edu