Curriculum News

MATHS OLYMPIAD and MATHS GAMES COMPETITIONS

Our school has, over many years, competed in the Australian Primary Schools Maths Olympiad and Maths Games competition. The Maths Games competition is a lead in to the Maths Olympiad competition. The competitions challenges our students to apply their problem solving and reasoning skills to complete complex mathematical problems and focuses on the students’ ability to solve mathematical problems in a creative manner – as opposed to simply reaching a solution using a prescribed method. The contests consists of five separate tests held approximately one month apart during Term 2 and Term 3.  Each test involves students answering five questions within a certain amount of time, usually 25 - 30 minutes.

This year we have entered four teams. A combined 5/6 Maths Olympiad Team and a Grade 6, Grade 5 and Grade 4 Maths Games Team. Mr King is teaching the Olympiad Team, Ms Kelly, Mr Milan and Mr Symons the Maths Games teams respectively. Teams have between 20 and 30 students. The selection process for these teams was completed using a problem solving and reasoning screening test. Those students who showed high levels of proficiency in problem solving and reasoning were selected to participate in the competitions.

Each week the teams meet to practice and apply a variety of strategies that will prepare them for the competitions. During this time, students not involved in the competitions are participating in a problem solving class that explicitly teaches each of the problem solving strategies students may need to work successfully as mathematicians. Strategies may include: guess and check, work backwards, look for a pattern, make a model, draw a diagram or picture, act it out and make a list or table.

Up for the challenge?  Below is a sample test.  If you are up for the challenge see how you go. Remember, it has to be done in 23 minutes! the 'Time:' next to each question is just a guide to how long you should spend on each question.  I will publish the answers next edition.  Have fun and good luck.

Compiled by Shannon Reeve