Three Florida students have tied for first place in annual Trig-Star Competition.

The statewide competition introduces students to practical applications of trigonometry used in the surveying and mapping industry, and pairs local surveyors with classrooms to showcase an exciting but often overlooked profession with promising math students.

The contest is sponsored by the National Society of Professional Surveyors (NSPS) and the University of Florida’s Geomatics Extension Program.

Surveyors work outdoors, indoors, on land, in the air, and at sea, using the latest technologies, including UAVs (drones), computer mapping equipment, and GPS.

Florida expanded access to the exam to beyond the high school setting by hosting competitions both within high schools and through 4-H county clubs.

Winning students and their teachers or county 4-H agents are awarded prizes for placing in the competition, with goal of increasing awareness of the profession among students and educators.

The winners were Jonathan Bates, a senior at Park Vista Community High School in Lake Worth, Isaiah Dorn, a homeschool senior from Melbourne, and Hari Maiyya, a junior at Beachside High School in St. Augustine. Bates and Dorn participated through their local 4-H chapters.

The Florida competition was the regional level of the event, with Hari Maiyya breaking a tie to go on to the national level competition. National winners will be announced soon by NSPS.

For information about participating in the 2026-2027 competition, teachers and guidance counselors should reach out to geo-extension@ifas.ufl.edu. Students who are interested in participating can share this information with their teachers or 4-H agents.

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