Forty students and their teachers have been preparing since the fall. Middle school Mathletes from Southwest Oregon schools will compete in a local contest of the national MATHCOUNTS program on Tuesday at the Boys and Girls Club in Coos Bay.

The competition has been organized by the Southwest Chapter of the Professional Engineers of Oregon, a press release said.

Schools represented include: Coquille Valley Middle School, Bandon's Harbor Lights Middle School, Mapleton High School, North Bend Middle School, Powers Middle School, Riley Creek School in Gold Beach, and Coos Bay's Sunset Middle School.

Students will compete individually and as teams in written and fast-paced oral matches. Subjects include algebra, probability, statistics and geometry. Winners will receive trophies and will advance to the state finals at Oregon State University in Corvallis on March 13.

The national program is designed to improve math skills among U.S. students. The program focuses on middle school students, who are at a crucial stage in developing and sustaining math interest and ability. MATHCOUNTS strives to inspire excellence, confidence and curiosity through fun and challenging math programs, providing students with the foundation for success in science, technology, engineering and mathematics careers.