Another school year has brought challenging math and science homework problems that can be overwhelming for students to solve and frustrating for the parents trying to help them.

Fortunately, the AskRose homework helpline tutoring service is just a phone call, email or chat session away.

And, it’s free!

Rose-Hulman students are available Sunday through Thursday from 7-10 p.m. (Eastern Daylight Time) during the school year to help kids in grades 6 through 12 at 877-ASK-ROSE (877-275-7673) or AskRose.org.

“With AskRose easily available, students should never feel ‘stuck’ when it comes to their math and science homework. Help is available from approximately 30 tutors each night,” says AskRose Director Susan Smith Roads.

Under its former Homework Hotline name, AskRose has conducted more than 650,000 tutoring sessions with students across the nation over the past 27 years. The new name highlights the services offered in addition to phone tutoring, which include chat tutoring, email tutoring and more than 500 resources available at AskRose.org.  The online resources comprise tutorial videos and other downloadable reference materials.

All services are available at no cost to students or parents through a Lilly Endowment Inc. grant and financial assistance from Rose-Hulman.

AskRose isn’t an “Answer Line,” advises Smith Roads. Rather, tutors work to ensure that each student understands the steps taken to solve a math or science problem. Then, the student should feel comfortable answering similar challenges in class and on exams.

“We’re an additional educational resource for today’s hardworking and dedicated math and science teachers and school administrators,” adds AskRose Associate Director Lindsay Hull, a former high school math teacher.

“Teachers aren’t available in the evening when students may become frustrated with aspects of their homework or can’t remember key elements of solving problems that a teacher explained in class. Also, in many cases, parents can’t assist their children because it has been many years since they have had these course materials themselves. In those situations, ‘AskRose’ tutors are happy to help.”