Math Prize for Girls, MATHCOUNTS, Math Kangaroo USA, American Mathematics Competitions (AMC)… For students who are good at math, the thrill of participating in math competitions is similar to that of an extreme sport.
No matter the type of math competition a student participates in, they’re bound to get some positive outcomes from it. They get to test their competence against peers of a similar age and skill level and maybe even take home a prize or two.
Read on to learn more positives about math competition participation for kids.
Improves Math Ability
Math competitions improve math ability. This is probably the most apparent benefit, but it still deserves mention. But why and how?
The kinds of problems posed in a math competition typically exceed what’s taught in a standard math curriculum. This gives exceptionally gifted kids, or those that just love math and want to improve, the chance to really test and expand on their numeracy skills. It works in much the same way sports competitions enhance physical ability.
If a school or teacher is new to math competition preparation, there are tons of resources online–from math question banks to mock competition schedules.
Healthy Competition
Of course, a math olympiad will improve their math ability by attending a competition–as we’ve outlined above. However, there’s another important benefit to participating in these events. Students learn how to compete in a healthy, compassionate way.
These competitions teach children how to deal with the joy of success and the learning experience that is a failure. Even if they don’t win, participant prizes and certificates boost their confidence.
And the statistics on match competitions prove that kids and their teachers and parents are seeing results. Year on year, enrollments in various competitions grow. For example, despite school closures, Math Kangaroo USA saw well over 30,000 participants in 2020 and 2021.
Makes Math Fun
Do you remember sitting in high school math class staring at the clock, waiting for it to be over? Math is notoriously known as a dry, boring subject. However, math competitions inject an element of excitement into learning math.
Before the competition, competing students get together to prepare, sometimes meeting in cafes or other’s houses over sodas and snacks. The atmosphere on the day of the competition is buzzing with energy. There’s even an excited crowd to cheer the participants on.
It certainly beats that dull formal exam prep that most students have to deal with while studying math during their high school years.
Math Competitions for the Win!
The education industry can sometimes be an uninspiring place for tweens and teens. Math competitions provide a chance for kids to let loose and shine in a way that exams can’t offer. From problem-solving skills to making friends for life, the benefits of academic competitions outweigh the negatives.
For more insights into the state of education today, read other articles on our blog.
