MATHCOUNTS is a national math coaching and competition program for 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students. The program is run by the MATHCOUNTS Foundation, state and local chapters of the NSPE, and many, many volunteers. MATHCOUNTS provides an opportunity for students to have fun while exploring areas of math that they may not see in their normal class curriculum. It also gives students a chance to be recognized for their achievements on both team and individual basis. The program targets this age group in order to influence their thinking about math, and to encourage them to continue challenging themselves in the subject as they select high school courses.