18 schools, 375 kids vie in Mathcourt regional

The Public School System’s annual Mathcourt regional competition last Saturday recorded the event’s biggest participation ever, comprising a remarkable 18 public and private primary schools and 375 final competitors.

Reo Arriola, chairman of the 5th Annual Mathcourt contest for Kindergarten to fifth grade divisions, said they anticipate even more entries next year following the suspension of the local Mathcounts competition on island.

All 375 competitors in Saturday’s event were winners in the last four preliminary events, which qualify them to enter the final sets in the regional rounds.

“We have 375 competitors from seven private schools and 11 public schools today. This is the biggest ever school turnout for a Mathcourt regional and we’re anticipating more next year,” Arriola told Saipan Tribune.

Like the Primary Grade Forensic league, Mathcourt has no national events where they could send gold medalists to compete. However, Arriola said that PSS continuously searches for off-island events that are similar to the PSS Mathcourt contest.

“It is our goal to send our gold medalists [in the 6-12th division] to off-island events and hopefully we can find something that suits our local competition here,” he said.

Based on the PSS benchmarks and standards, Arriola said the annual event has proven effective in helping students improve their learning skills in mathematics.

Last Saturday, students competed in four categories: numbers, algebra, measurement geometry, and data statistics and probability. Forty competitors were awarded gold, silver, and bronze medals and ribbons for all events in the K-2nd division and the third to fifth grade division.

“Mathcourt is something that CNMI-PSS created, where all questions are based on our standards and benchmarks. It is our aim to encourage kids to be aware of these benchmarks that they are being taught in school. Through this event, we’re not only making progress in our student learning but we’re also helping teachers,” he said.

Arriola said PSS is trying to do away with the textbook-style teaching and is moving toward standard-based teaching of educators.

He admitted that geometry and measurement as well as data statistics are usually ignored in the classroom because some teachers are not comfortable teaching these subjects.

“Just by looking at the questions we formulate [based on the benchmarks], they go back to the classroom and come up with similar questions and encourage students to participate as well,” Arriola said.

There were four practice rounds conducted in November, December and January. PSS noted over 500 competitors in each preliminary event. Saturday’s 375 participants in the regional competition were the first to fifth place winners in those events.

In terms of performance, organization, and people who came and supported the event, PSS is convinced that Mathcourt is getting better every year.

“We’re very happy and proud that we’re getting positive result from Mathcourt,” Arriola said, adding that the event is a good experience for the students to enjoy math competitively.

There were 70-80 teachers and parent volunteers in Saturday’s events. Arriola said that teachers from Tinian Elementary School were also present to observe and prepare for their participation next year. Tinian Elementary has never been in the Saipan Mathcourt contest.

Fifth grader Art Nathanael Borromeo, who competed in the final’s numbers and algebra for San Vicente Elementary School, described the contest rounds as “very challenging.”

“It was challenging…but fun. I’ve been joining Mathcourt since my first grade…and I can say that the experience is very rewarding because you’re giving your best,” he told Saipan Tribune.

The 11-year-old boy said he will continue to participate in the event to become more competitive.

Jaymee Caguioa, a fourth grader from SVES, said her constant participation in the Mathcourt helped her better understand mathematical lessons in school.

She competed in algebra and data statistics and probability events.

PSS has set the regional Mathcourt rounds for sixth through 12th graders next week.