County's Youngest Math Whizzes Come Together to Test Their Knowledge

The courtyard of was filled with kids chatting loudly with each other before running off into the classrooms—but it was a Saturday morning, and school was not in session. These kids were at school voluntarily, participating in the Santa Cruz County Math Contest.

Last year, the event had a turnout of almost 400 middle school students from 29 local schools.

According to Diane Elia, director of curriculum and instruction at Santa Cruz County Office of Education, this year’s 44th annual contest featured an attendance of close to 520 students.

The huge number of contestants may partly be attributed to the non-intimidating atmosphere. Students are not pitted against each other in front of an audience; instead, they sit for the tests in groups of 15-20 students to each classroom.

The contest is divided into two sections, group and individual testing. Students did not have to participate in both categories.

Contestants in grades five and six were not allowed to use calculators, but those in grades seven and eight could use four-function or scientific calculators.

“I don’t think they feel the pressure that they normally do in a situation like this,” Elia said. "They came together with friends to solve math problems on a Saturday."

She said she doesn't think kids have enough opportunity to answer questions in this format. "This gives them the chance to really learn to solve multiple-step problems, both in a team environment and individually,” she added.

Sixth-grader Ava Badger competed for the first time with a good friend—one enrolled in a different school and, therefore, part of another team.

“It’s a little harder than my grade level,” Ava said, but also affirmed she would do it again next year.

Ava’s mother, Kara Badger, says her daughter did not put a lot of extra preparation into the contest.

“She went one day after school last week ... but she’s in seventh-grade math as a sixth-grader,” Badger said.

Fifty or so parents and teachers volunteered to help supervise the testing rooms.

The group testing was performed in the morning from 9 to 9:45 a.m., and the individual tests were taken between 10 and 10:45 a.m.

Immediately following the group testing, 25 volunteer teachers registered helped mark the papers in the school library. They were kept alert with five gallons of coffee donated by the Starbucks on 41st Avenue and Soquel.

Ellen Hickey, one of the event organizers, said that students who place in first through fourth places will be recognized. The winners will be announced Tuesday.

All of the top-performing students in each category will also receive medals at a ceremony on May 26.