Students Seek Out Challenging Mathematics at MATHCOUNTS
Every year, SCDS students in grades six through eight participate in MATHCOUNTS, a national middle school mathematics coaching program and competition series. Students meet weekly for practice beginning in the fall to prepare for the competitions that begin in February.
Competitions at each level are comprised of four rounds of diversified competition in which students tackle mathematics at the 8th grade level, including algebra and geometry. The competition culminates with the exciting Countdown round where the top 25% of all competitors, up to a maximum of 8, participate in a head-to-head oral problem solving challenge. Schools first hold an in-house competition to select the 10 students who will represent their school at the regional competitions. The top teams from each region will advance to the state competition and from there to the National Championship held in May.
Participation in MATHCOUNTS provides an opportunity for students who enjoy and excel at math to put their skills to the test in a competitive environment and to take on even more challenging material than they encounter in class. “It teaches students problem solving and critical thinking skills while tackling challenging problems in a competitive environment,” said Kelly Gaab, MATHCOUNTS coach and math department chair. “Students learn how to make progress and tackle difficult mathematical concepts head on, making it that much more rewarding when they succeed. At this level, competition isn’t determined by how fast someone can calculate. Students have to be able to recognize patterns, use shortcuts, recognize larger mathematical concepts, and use critical thinking to be successful.”
SCDS hosted the Redwood Empire/Mendocino Lake Chapter regional competition on Saturday, February 4. Sixty-six students from a mixture of nine public and private schools from Sonoma and Marin counties competed this year. The event is especially fun for the students because their competitors are often friends they have met through youth groups, organized sports, and music lessons. The involvement of members from the greater community fosters a sense of camaraderie and friendly competition between the students.
This year, SCDS students took third place overall. Even though SCDS will not be advancing to the state level of competition, students demonstrating their continued enthusiasm for tackling challenging mathematics by approaching Ms. Gaab the week after the competition to ask if they could still meet and practice.
A special thank you, as well, to all the volunteers who contributed by overseeing the event, keeping score, and providing breakfast and lunch for all the competitors. Your contribution helped make this event a success for all students!
A special thank you, as well, to all the volunteers who contributed by overseeing the event, keeping score, and providing breakfast and lunch for all the competitors. Your contribution helped make this event a success for all students!
Sonoma Country Day School
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The premier, fully accredited, independent TK-8 college preparatory school in Sonoma County. Located in northern Santa Rosa and proud home of The Jackson Theater, SCDS offers a challenging academic program rich in fine and performing arts, music, world languages, and social and emotional learning. For more than thirty years SCDS has been the school that brings learning to life.
