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Wednesday, August 18, 2010

watery wednesday: Mathex Casio







http://waterywednesday.blogspot.com/

You can't see the rain, but it was drizzling the whole day. But rain was the last thing on the mind of my son Sam. For Sam and his three friends and another two hundred 14 year olds were taking part in the annual Mathex Casio Secondary Schools Competition.

As I drove to the ASB stadium at Kohimarama, it was also a test for me as I don't normally drive to a new destination in the rain.

This competition was an eye opener for me. They have the various teams, two from each school seated on the floor round a school desk. The bell rung, and the destinated runners ran to the judges to get the question, run back to the competitors, and run to the judges with the answers, back and forth, the poor runner ran twenty times. I really pitied Sam's runner.

The commentator was announcing the school that was leading, and with the scorer flipped the marks. It was quite exciting like going to the horse races.

This is a fiercely competitive mathematical race. Under extreme pressure, the teams managed to cooperate and perform to the best of their abilities. Three teams managed to solve all the questions and scored 100 points. Sam tells me that it was a tactical battle using strategic passes on very difficult questions.

In the end, Sam's school Mt Albert Grammar didn't win. Sam's team got 85 out of 100. I am a proud horse owner. I drove my iron horse home in the dark, and singing in the rain. LOL

14 comments:

Hootin Anni said...

I would loved to have witnessed this competition. As I love math.

My Wednesday post:
COAST GUARD on duty

rainfield61 said...

You put me in a time machine, though I did not participate in any math competition.

The competition seemed to be a very fierce one.

Tammie Lee said...

this does sound like a competition that takes a lot of concentration and ability. lol in the rain sounds wonderful.

EG CameraGirl said...

AH! It's not possible to ALWAYS be on the winning team. I doubt it's mathematically possible, anyway.

Ginny Hartzler said...

I have never heard of a competition like this, and it is very interesting. Sam has a great mom for braving the weather, and I know you are so glad you went, you should be very proud of him. Here's to you, Sam!!!

Anonymous said...

Interesting competition, combining academics with a physical activity.

George said...

Congratulations to Sam and the rest of his team. They did very well and you should be proud of him.

eileeninmd said...

You should be very proud of your son. I'm sure it was a very thrilling experience for him.

Anonymous said...

The Maths competition! way to go. That competition is for smart kids who are focussed on what they like and do. I wonder if Sam's runner was smart as well or did the school choose the fastest runner. Unless he is like Auntie Margaret, normally the fastest runner may not be very smart.

Love Grace

Anonymous said...

Very interesting

c

Anonymous said...

Thank you very much .I am very much proud of Sam's team. R's team got 65. Actually R did not prepare for this competition. We came to know about this competition on Sunday night. I don't have any resources to teach for this. The teacher did not give any ideas or resources. How do you teach for this type of competition? Please let me know.
Thanking you.

Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪 said...

I did not teach Sam, I was hopeless in my Math in School,

Anonymous said...

hi,
im in year 7
im in mathex!
its tonight!!!!!!!
any tips?
please help me!
i go to carmel college and i just dont want to put my friends down by making a fool out of myself

Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪 said...

Dear Anonymous,

Just in case you are waiting for my reply, but you didn't leave a forwarding address.

My son went yesterday. and his team came third.

As a mother and teacher, I congratulate you that you are representing your school Ka pai. Go and enjoy yourself and be very proud that you are representing your school.

Just try your best.

year 2011