Caption: During the 2010 competition, Carol Kempiak, who earned her bachelor's degree in mathematics last May, oversees the young participants as part of her proctoring duties.
International Competition March 17
CSUF Hosts ‘Math Kangaroo’ Contest for Young Mathematicians
March 10, 2011 :: No. 93
What:
Cal State Fullerton’s Mathematics Department is hosting the competition “Math Kangaroo” with 50 students participating from Southern California schools in grades first through 12th. This is Cal State Fullerton’s second year as host of the 14th annual worldwide contest involving more than 5 million students from more than 45 countries. Math Kangaroo helps students develop and test their math skills — and learn and enjoy mathematics even more.
When:
Thursday, March 17
6 to 7:15 p.m.
Where:
Cal State Fullerton’s McCarthy Hall, Rooms 457 and 463
800 N. State College Blvd., Fullerton, 92831
Who:
Elementary, junior high and high school students from schools in Orange County and the region will compete in the 75-minute, multiple-choice test. Children in grades 1-4 answer 24 questions; older students answer 30 questions. Parents, students and community members are invited to attend.
Why:
Math Kangaroo’s goals include: encouraging students to master their mathematical knowledge, giving them confidence in their ability to comprehend mathematics, helping them understand how mathematics apply in nature’s laws and human activities, and developing their ability to derive pleasure and satisfaction through intellectual life. An Australian mathematician and teacher originated the competition in the 1980s, and today, students worldwide compete. In 2010, 4,300 American students in 27 states participated.
Background:
Many math education majors are interested in learning how to organize a Math Kangaroo session in their schools and how to prepare their future students for this challenge, said Bogdan Suceavă, associate professor of mathematics. He, Zair Ibragimov, assistant professor of mathematics, and a team of 14 Cal State Fullerton math majors who are considering teaching careers, are involved in the preparation of the competition, proctoring and mailing of the awards. Each student receives a certificate of participation and a T-shirt with mathematical theme.
Quote:
“At Cal State Fullerton, the purpose of the competition is twofold: the children have a chance to compete in Math Kangaroo, and our math education students learn how to organize such contests for their future work as teachers. We are a place that trains teachers, and I feel it’s our duty to offer this competition,” said Bogdan Suceavă, associate professor of mathematics.
Info: More information about Math Kangaroo is available online: www.mathkangaroo.org
Media Contacts:
Bogdan Suceavă, Mathematics, 657-278-7535 or bsuceava@fullerton.edu
Debra Cano Ramos, Public Affairs, 657-278-4027, 657-278-2414 or dcanoramos@fullerton.edu
