Students put their math skills to the test

ALBERTON – Alberton students got to put their math knowledge to the test recently as they went to the Montana Council of Teachers of Mathematics competition in Missoula.

The competition was held on Wednesday, Feb. 26, for students in grades 7 through 12. Approximately 25 Alberton kids joined over 1,400 students from 35 schools in Missoula and the surrounding area. According to Liz Stuker, middle and high school math teacher at Alberton, the grades were fairly well represented.

This year’s group was smaller than previous years. Stuker said in the past they have had approximately 40 students participate.

According to Stuker, this was not a competition where students answered questions in front of the judges. The students were given a worksheet test, which was graded later.

There were approximately 10 different tests given at the competition and each one was split into a grade level. The tests covered problem solving in algebra, number concepts, shapes, dimensions as well as a variety of topics in advanced and intermediate math.

The top scorers of the tests will go on to a state level competition. Stuker said the students’ scores would not be available for approximately a month.

Even the students were not sure of how they did. Stuker said they knew some of the problems and had trouble with others. A few of the tests covered several different subjects and were given to multiple grades. As a result, there were some topics on the tests, which were outside a student’s grade level.

An example of this is the pot luck exams, which both seventh and eighth graders had to take. The pot luck exam covers a variety of topics including coordinate geometry, integer application, fractions and probability. According to Stuker, some of these are subjects seventh graders have not covered yet but eighth graders already know.

Which students were able to participate was based on their math grades. The kids who got a certain grade range in their math level were offered a chance to go to the competition. According to Stuker, the minimum grade requirement to participate this year was higher than in the past, raising the bar.

The competition is also used as a way to expose students to the university and what higher education is like. Since it is held at the campus center, the students get the chance to explore and learn more about the school. Stuker said there was always some time off between tests where the kids could explore the campus.

“It gives them the opportunity to see what that college environment is like,” Stuker said.

She felt the competition was a great learning tool because it got students excited about math.

“I was more excited about the younger kids,” Stuker said. “Anything that you can do to get the kids interested in college at a young age.”