Name of Club/Organization : Mathcounts
MathCounts is a national organization which holds competitions in algebra, geometry, and problem solving. At the first meeting, students will try out to make Milton Somers Middle School’s team. Students will be encouraged to try out and join practices even if they do not make the team. All students will practice after school on Mondays from 2:15-3:15 in Trailer 9 (Mrs. Rowland’s room). Students will enjoy an atmosphere where teamwork is encouraged and enthusiasm for math is always welcome. / Eligibility For Membership:
It is encouraged that the students who try out or wish to participate in MathCounts are in the higher level math classes, such as:
- Algebra 1
- Geometry
- 7th Grade Advanced Math
- 6th Grade Advanced Math
Meeting Dates:
Mondays from 2:15-3:15 on the following dates:
Oct. 2nd Tryout /Informational Meeting
Practices:
Oct. 16th, 23rd, 30th.
Nov. 6th, 13th, 20th.
Dec. 4th, 11th, 18th.
Jan. 8th, 22nd, 29th.
Feb. 12th.
If we have members who qualify for the State Competition additional practices will be on:
Feb. 26th, Mar. 5th and 12th. / Planned Events for 2017-2018:
County Practice Competitions:
At the Gwynn Center
4:00-4:45 (Across from La Plata High School)
To Be Determined
(I will get you the dates when I get them.)
Tri- County Competition:
At Calvert Middle School in Calvert County
Saturday Feb. 3rd in the morning into the early afternoon.
Membership Responsibilities:
Participants must attend at least 11 practices.
In order to be considered a part of the competition team, you must participate in all the county practice competitions.
You must be picked up on time from the meetings. If you are picked up late more than two times, you may be asked not to return. / Dates & Deadlines For Membership:
Participants must attend the first meeting on Oct. 2nd with a permission slip. If you are unable to attend, you must express interest and return a permission slip no later than Oct. 6th.
Permission slips can be acquired by stopping by Mrs. Rowland’s trailer (TR9).
Name of Club/Organization : MathCounts
Club Sponsor : Mrs. Rowland ()
Welcome to the Club!
Here are some frequently asked questions you and your parents should read together:
Will I be competing in this club?
Yes and No. Members of the club will be chosen based on performance in meetings to continue on and compete as representatives of our school in our Chapter competition in February. There will be a team of 4 students and up to 4 individuals who will be chosen to compete. Although not all members will be chosen to compete, it is encouraged that they continue to come to all meeting to help cheer and practice with on our teams/individuals and to be a vital part of the teamwork process.
What if I can’t make it to all the meetings?
It is encouraged that you make your best efforts to come to each scheduled meeting. In the event you cannot make it, see your coach sometime before the next meeting to get any materials you may need.
Will there be snacks?
If needed, please bring a snack/drink with you to school on the days of our meetings. You will be permitted to have your snack during “warm-up” time.
What if I think the club is too hard?
Don’t get discouraged! Yes, a lot of the MathCounts problems are challenging (even for the coach), but they are meant to be that way. The challenge is part of the fun! Don’t feel like you aren’t “smart” enough to be in the club simply because you find some of the problems to be difficult. We will all come with our strengths and weaknesses (that is why we have a TEAM). Stick with it for a few weeks before you decide it isn’t the club for you! And talk to Mrs. Rowland before you decide to leave.
Will I be using a calculator?
Sometimes. Calculators are used in Team, Target, and Master Competition Rounds only. We will practice doing problems with and without a calculator.
What are the levels of competition?
MathCounts competitions are provided at four levels: school, chapter, state and national. Throughout the school year, coaches work with students on the MathCounts School Handbook problems. In November and December, those coaches who have registered students for the competition receive the school competition by mail to give to Mathletes® in January. The School Competition can be used to assist a coach in determining which students should represent their school at the Chapter Competition in February. From there, the top teams and top individuals progress to the State Competition in March. The four top-scoring individuals and the top team coach progress to the Raytheon MathCounts National Competition in May.
What exactly is in a competition?
MathCounts competitions are designed to be completed in approximately three hours. Each competition consists of four parts: the Sprint, Target, Team and Countdown Rounds. The Sprint Round has 30 questions, and students have 40 minutes to complete them. The Target Round consists of 8 questions, which are distributed to the students two at a time. Students have 6 minutes to complete each pair of problems. The Team Round has 10 problems for the team to work together within the 20 minute time limit. The top 25% of individuals, up to a maximum of 10, proceed to the Countdown Round, an oral round in which students compete head-to-head. At Chapter or State Competitions, a Countdown Round may be conducted officially, unofficially (for fun) or omitted. Countdown Round is an official part of the National Competition.
Contact info for Coach – Mrs. Rowland ()