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Colorado Springs, Colorado (NAPSI) - Students and teachers who have a love of science or math and a knack for self-expression just might get a “bang” out of a new contest.

Called “Express Your Selfie,” the contest encourages students, teachers or anyone with an interest in education to submit a selfie with their favorite Texas Instruments (TI) technology. The winner will receive a set of graphing calculators for the math or science class of his or her choice and a videoconference call, in class, from Emmy-nominated actress Mayim Bialik.

Bialik not only plays a scientist on the hit comedy “The Big Bang Theory,” but is a neuroscientist in real life. “I relied on my TI graphing calculators to gain a deeper understanding of abstract concepts in science and mathematics while earning my neuroscience degrees,” Bialik said. “Using the ‘selfie craze’ to capture students’ creativity and imagination will hopefully open their eyes to the captivating world of science and mathematics.”

How to Choose A Graphing Calculator

If you don’t have a graphing calculator but have one on your school year shopping list, here are some tips for choosing the right one:

• Ask Your Student’s Teacher: A graphing calculator may be among the most important purchases you make for your student. Ask your student’s teacher what he or she will be using in the classroom.

• Check High-Stakes Exam Acceptance: All major exams, both national and state, have strict calculator acceptance policies. Make certain the calculator you plan to buy is accepted.

• Think Long Term: Quality graphing technology will last students from middle school through high school and into college. Think about what math and science courses your student will be taking, be it geometry, algebra or advanced-level chemistry, so that one purchase can last for years.

How to Participate in the Contest

From now through Sept. 21, 2014, anyone over the age of 13 can submit a selfie with his or her favorite TI technology on Twitter or Instagram, using the caption “I make math/science...with TI.” Entrants must include the hashtag #tiselfiecontest. You can see the submissions and view the official rules online at www.tiselfie.com.