The TrigStar Program Contest is an annual high school mathematics competition sponsored by the National Society of Professional Surveyors based on the practical application of Trigonometry. The program recognizes the best students from high schools throughout the nation.

Thank you for interest in TrigStar. NJSPLS aims to make this program as simple as possible for the teachers. All that you need to do is decide on an exam date. Let us know, and we will send you the exam a week before the date. Keep in mind it must be completed and returned before the end of April.
Here are some FAQs and please call NJSPLS TrigStar Committee Chairman, if you have any questions.

• Fees are covered by NJSPLS. There is no cost to the school or student.
• A Sponsor is not necessary. We can connect you with one, if needed.
• The test can be proctored by the teacher, a volunteer for the sponsor.
• Information, practice tests and links are available at the NSPS TrigStar Site.
• There are three levels of involvement.
• simply take the test
• a local surveyor (e.g. the sponsor) can provide a presentation on surveying practice and the profession.
• the sponsor can work with you to use surveying and our tools on a project. (e.g. mapping an athletic field or a wildlife area).
• NJSPLS offers $50 to the top scorer at your school. $250 will be offered to the top scorer for the state and a match for the teacher. Each chapter of NJSPLS may also offer awards. Check the website.

Locally, the program is sponsored by a nearby surveyor with the support of the local chapter of the New Jersey Society of Professional Land Surveyors (NJSPLS). Our goal is to introduce and interest high school students to Land Surveying as a profession.

If your school is not listed to the right, contact TrigStar Committee (insert link to committee page) to find a sponsor for your school.

Sample Tests are available on the NSPS site as an example and for practice.  http://www.nspsmo.org/trig_star/sample_tests.shtml
The site includes many links to other sites to help you prepare. -- Good luck.

NJSPLS provides the following cash awards:

Several of our Local Chapters contribution additional awards.

NSPS will award a $2,000 scholarship to the first place winner, $1,000 to second place and $500 for third.

For the 2004-2005 contest, the NJ State Winner, Elissa Dunn of Paramus High School, was awarded the following: $50 (school winner), $100 (chapter award), $250 (state award). She was awarded a total of $400. Her teacher, Kim Horton, was also honored with a teaching excellence award and awarded matching funds. The Bergen-Passaic chapter of NJSPLS honored Elissa as the statewide winner of the 2004-2005 TrigStar competition at the Glen Rock Inn on May 20th.

For the 2004 contest, the NJ State winner, Michael Webb of West Milford, was awarded $50 (school winner), $100 (chapter winner) & $250 (state award).

• There are many different levels of participation; it?s up to you. The test can be the extent of your involvement or just one component of your involvement.
• Simple: As a local sponsor of the test, you will need to contact the school, provide the materials, collect the results and hand out prize money.
• Involved: In addition to the above, you make a short presentation to the class about surveying. Use any combination of NJSPLS video, your instruments, your maps, materials from Josh Greenfeld or your own materials.
• Hands-on: In addition to the above, plan a survey of the school yard. Conduct a field survey and help them draw the CAD map.

How much time will it take?

• Naturally, each case is different, but for the simple level you can expect to spend 5-10 hours. Other levels are entirely dependent on you.

What do the kids win?

• They get an introduction to a great profession (hey, three of us are on Mt. Rushmore, it must mean something) and they get to see a real-world application of math (teachers love that). Winners receive prizes at the school, state and national level.

What's in it for me?

• Simply put, your future. Tomorrow’s field crews, CAD operators and licensees have to come from somewhere. This is one tool to get kids interested. Besides, you get to be the guy with cool gadgets handing out prize money.

Where do I get information?

• All information, except the test itself, is available on the web. Please contact the NJSPLS Committee Chair  if you plan to sponsor a school and for assistance with administration.  We will make sure you get NJ-specific information. You can do it!