2021 Math Olympics
Not Even Covid Can Stop an SMCA Mathlete!
Each year SMCA partners with ACSI to participate in Math Olympics for students in grades 3-8. Due to Covid restrictions and the security needed for the testing, many Christian schools across the country opted out of participation this year. SMCA chose to practice Faith over Fear and got creative.
To administer the traditional qualification tests to determine the school’s team, all virtual students would not have been eligible. Instead, 3rd-8th grade math teachers used a rubric that compared all students based on academic performance, work completion, participation, level of inquiry, initiative, and cooperation. The top six students in each grade were selected and placed in either the Computation or Reasoning (word problems) category.
Instead of gathering with other schools to take the Olympics testing together, this year, each participating school administered tests to their own team. On Friday, March 5, SMCA Mathletes gathered in the school gym, on a day that was otherwise a no school day for them. The gym was set up with 18 desks, spaced per CDC guidelines. Students wore masks and were temperature and green screen checked as they arrived. Hand sanitizer was given to each as they entered the building.
The middle school team met first, and went through four rounds of testing that was made to be very challenging and difficult. When they finished, all desks were cleaned and disinfected before the elementary team arrived to do the same. Throughout both sessions, no complaints were heard and students worked diligently to do their very best.
The rest is now in the hands of Mrs. Watson, who has worked with ACSI and Math Olympics for at least 10 years. SMCA is serving as a “host school” meaning that six other schools, from six other states will send their scores to us. All scores will be compared and the top five students in each grade level and category will be determined and award ribbons sent to the appropriate school. While this year was different in the fact that the Mathletes did not know how they placed on the same day as the competition, they came willingly and with a joyful attitude.
Math Olympics is one avenue used by ACSI and SMCA to allow students to showcase their God-given talents and abilities. We are so proud of each of our team members. They represented their school, their classmates, and their Lord in a wonderful way.
