2026 Mu Sigma Rho Statistics Haiku Contest
WHAT: Haiku are brief poems that aim to capture a moment in time ( a haiku moment) and are usually written in the present tense. We seek statistics or probability inspired haiku in either 5-7-5 syllable, 3-5-3 syllable format, in three or fewer lines. Can you capture the extraordinary in the ordinary?
WHO: People of any age and background may enter. We encourage university statistics clubs or Mu Sigma Rho meetings to have a haiku writing session about their haiku moments and joy in statistics. A maximun of 3 submissions are allowed per person.
We ask that AI not be used to generate your haiku.
WHEN: Contest opens on New Years Day (Japan Standard Time) when the shrine bell is rung 108 times. While early submissions are allowed, entries of both pro-
crastinators and amateur-crastinators will not be accepted past midnight on Pi Day (March 14, 2026). Winners announced via the Mu Sigma Rho website and ASA Connect on National Haiku Day April 17, 2026.
HOW: Please send your haiku via our submission form. Weblink https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSczZFRYxrg8wMxalRFAGnR9NtjoQtl3tlEkFXRae8CbFVWL9Q/viewform?usp=dialog
BONUS: The top three haiku selected by our judges will be published in the Asahi Haikuist Network of the Asahi Shimbun, Japan's second largest newspaper and also on the Mu Sigma Rho website.
JUDGES: Larry Lesser, The University of Texas at El Paso, ASA Fellow, and
David McMurray, Kagoshima International University, Asahi Haikuist Network editor.
INSPIRATION: For some examples to get your creative juices flowing:
https://www4.stat.ncsu.edu/~bmasmith/haiku_resources.pdf
If questions or problems using the links contact Charlie Smith at bmasmith@ncsu.edu
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Charles Smith
North Carolina State Univ.
President Mu Sigma Rho
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