(NAPSA)—American parents spend about $26 billion a year on school supplies for their kids, according to the National Retail Federation. If one of the things you’re getting your student this year is a graphingcalculator, it may pay to heed these three hints on choosing the right one: Ask The Teacher: A graphing calculator may be the most important purchase you make for your student, so ask your child’s teacher what he or she recommends and whatwill be used in class. *Check High-Stakes Exam Acceptance: All major exams, national and state, have specific calculator acceptance policies. Check to make sure the calculator you plan to buy is accepted before you makethe purchase. Think Long Term: Quality graphing technology will last students from middle school through high school and into college. Think about what math andscience courses your student will be taking, be it geometry, algebra or advanced-level chemistry, so that the purchase can last a good long time. Love Your Calculator, Win Big Students who share a photo or video showing whythey love their TI calculator and using the hashtag #ilyTIcontest have a chance to win a classroom visit from Mayim Bialik, star of the hit comedy “The Big Bang Theory.” Bialik not only plays a scientist Show your calculator love for a chance to bring Emmy Award-— winning actress (and neuroscientist) Mayim Bialik to your school. their TI technology means to them.” The grand prize winner of the “TLYTI” contest will also receive a classroom set of 30 TI-84 Plus CE graphing calculators, TI’s brand new calculator for back to school 2015. From now through September 18, 2015, anyone over the age of 13 can submit a photo or video highlighting his or her favorite TI technology on Twitter or Instagram. Entrants must include the hashtag #ilyTIcontest. Only video submissions will be considered for the grand prize of having Bialik for a school visit. Ten runners-up will each get a TI-84 Plus CE in the color of his or her choice, be it Radical Red, Positively Pink or Plum Pi. You can view theofficial rules and see all the submissions at ilyTIcontest.com. Learn More For further information about on television, but she is a neuro- Texas Instruments Education classroom,” Bialik said. “I look for- www.facebook.com/TICalculators, scientist in real life. “Math and science are fun, especially with the right tools to succeed in the ward to seeing how students and teachers use their creativity and imagination to showcase what Technology, go to education.ti.com, education.ti.com/bulleTInboard, www.twitter.com/TICalculators, www.instagram.com/TICalcula tors and www.youtube.com/Texas InstrumentsCale.