![]() Typically, the latter manifests later in a student’s academic career when the complexity of the problems they need to solve are increased. There is an important distinction between a student that is demoralized by a lack of inspiration, and a student who is demoralized by a lack of self-confidence. Build confidence and higher-level thinking The result? An inspired, ambitious problem-solver capable of learning independently – driven by their own curiosity and the enjoyment of their own discoveries. Becoming a Mathlete-in other words, preparing for and participating in the MATHCOUNTS competition-will regularly expose your child to challenges that address the gaps that exist with concept-driven curriculums. MATHCOUNTS competitions are centered around solving word problems that apply mathematical concepts to real life situations in a creative and challenging way. As educators this is our mission: teaching our students while empowering them to solve problems capable of transforming the world around them. ![]() The student will start to understand and appreciate the impact, importance, and beauty behind the concepts they’re learning. Armed with a deeper, more nuanced understanding of the world around them, other questions and applications will arise to solidify the concept. All of a sudden, the student is in a situation that compels curiosity. On the flip side, that same student could easily be engaged in discussion about modeling the path of a soccer ball in the air and applying that model to predict how soon and how far away it will land. As parents wanting the best for our children, we must recognize this is a doomsday scenario for creativity, ambition, and inspiration. Here’s an example of how Mathlete’s become inspired:Ī student learning about quadratic equations and graphs should understand how to solve for variable X, but may ask the question: “Where will I ever use quadratic equations and graphing the parabola?” Without a compelling reason or application, this important concept and function will quickly be viewed as a chore to get good grades and fulfill a requirement. As a result, students view mathematics as just something to learn for a test without grasping how important and impactful the skills can be in their own lives. Typical math classes focus on teaching concepts, but fail to inspire curiosity because they do not place equal importance on applying these concepts to real life situations that drive value. This lack of inspiration is symptomatic of a larger issue with concept-driven curriculums at school. “Where will I ever use this?” has become a common question amongst disengaged and uninspired students. What is the point of having a tool if you do not know how or when to use it? Many students learn about different formulas and other mathematical concepts, but have trouble applying them to real life situations. Inspire curiosity and improve real life problem-solving skills Oftentimes, this early development yields better academic performance, increased self-confidence, and advanced critical thinking skills throughout the child’s growth and into adulthood. Elementary and middle school students who participate in academic competitions build a strong foundation in mathematics and problem-solving. What are the positive effects of being a Mathlete?Īs with much in life, there is a compounding effect when preparing for and participating in academic competitions early in a child’s development. However, being a Mathlete goes beyond the competition and includes a focus on problem-solving and optimizing one’s approach through reflective practice. By definition, a student or individual of any age who competes in the MATHCOUNTS competition is a Mathlete. “Mathlete” is a registered trademark of the MATHCOUNTS Foundation. This article defines what it means to be a Mathlete, the benefits of becoming one, and how you and your child can get started. With the importance of strong math skills and the popularity of the MATHCOUNTS competition increasing, we’ve had more and more parents ask us what it means to be a Mathlete, and whether or not their child would be a good fit to participate in the flourishing MathCounts’ competition. In 1999, MATHCOUNTS introduced the world to the term “Mathlete”.
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