Some 20 students in Grades 6 to 8 attended the first Middle School Math Meet of the year, held Wed., Oct. 17 at Washington Episcopal School. The team was among the top scorers of the 17 participating schools, and students had a great time in the process.
The meets, sponsored by the Independent School Math Association of Washington, are meant to foster interest in math and problem solving in an approachable, fun way. Students participate in three 10-minute rounds of two problems each. Each team's final score is determined by adding up its four highest individual scores. With more than four Holton students getting 5 out of 6 correct, the team scored a 20 and earned a top-five finish.
Math Club co-moderator Liz Poppi said she was very impressed by students' performance, and pleased by girls' excitement about the event.
Elsa Bell '24 had never attended a math meet before and wasn't sure it was her thing, but with encouragement from her parents and math teacher Grant Franke, she decided to give it a try. She ended up loving it and can't wait to go again.
"I had good friends there who helped me calm down and have fun, and the questions were easier than I thought," she says. (As an added bonus, Elsa and fellow attendees love the meets' signature snack: milk and cookies. "The best!" Elsa says.)
Math Club moderators and members are looking forward to the two remaining Math Meets of the 2018-2019 school year.
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