Goose Creek CISD hosts inaugural math competition

Forty Goose Creek CISD “mathletes” spent months practicing and calculating hundreds of equations before getting the chance to compete in the district’s inaugural MathCounts event on Jan 30.

The junior-school competition — in which students test their skills in a fast-paced “bee”-style competition — aims to spark an interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Started by the National Society of Professional Engineers and the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, the MathCounts program is not about tedious math work and basic calculations. Instead, it celebrates the problem-solving, creative and applied side of math, where equations and formulas can offer solutions for everyday life.
Students in the MathCounts competition run both as individuals and as teams of four.

In each competition they have to complete four rounds. In the sprint round, they have 40 minutes to solve 30 problems; in the target round, they have six minutes to solve four pairs of problems; and in the team round, they have 20 minutes for a 10-question exam. Depending on their individual score, finalists can advance to the countdown/final round.

“Our students did a great job, and I was proud of them as well as the educators who have dedicated their time to help prepare our students for this competition,” said Goose Creek CISD Coordinator of Mathematics Jacqueline Shuman.

“Because MathCounts is new to our district, this first competition was a learning experience for us. Our students now know what it will be like when they go forward to participate in the chapter competition.”

This past fall, ExxonMobil Chemical Plant Manager Joe Blommaert presented Goose Creek CISD Superintendent Dr. Toby York with a $26,800 in support of math initiatives including MathCounts.

The ExxonMobil donation enabled the district to fund salaries for two MathCount coordinators and coaches at all five junior schools, materials, training, and transportation costs.
Winners of the inaugural MathCounts competition for Goose Creek CISD are listed below: Individual competition:
First place – Kayla Stears, Cedar Bayou Junior
Second place – Madeline Eschberger, Cedar Bayou Junior
Third place – Pooja Bhula, Highlands Junior; Pablo Chavez, Horace Mann Junior
Fourth place – Jose Mendez, Horace Mann Junior
Fifth place – Bryant Crawford, Baytown Junior
Sixth place – Jocelyn Gonzales, Highlands Junior
Seventh place – Erik Chavez, Baytown Junior; Shelby Sylvester, Horace Mann Junior; and Azalia Sprecher, Highlands Junior
Eighth place – Emma Vargas, Cedar Bayou Junior
Ninth place – Andrea Garcia, Horace Mann Junior
10th place – Cameron Rock, Gentry Junior; Gill Rosas, Horace Mann Junior Team competition:
First place – Cedar Bayou Junior: Madeline Eschberger, Brenda Garcia, Kayla Stears, and Nyrobi Celestine
Second place – Horace Mann Junior: Daisy Diaz, Pablo Chavez, Shelby Sylvester, and Azalia Sprecher
Third place (Combined Team) – Cedar Bayou/Baytown Junior: Emma Vargas, Natalie Morfin, Astrid Guevara (CBJ); and Siearra Thompson (BJS)
Fourth place – Horace Mann Junior: Karla Villanueva, Dominique Aramburo, Vivian Monasterio, and Jose Mendez
Fifth place – Horace Mann Junior: Gary Vasquez, Andrea Garcia, Karina Rojas, and Gill Rosas See the Goose Creek teams and winners here. Next up for Goose Creek’s matheletes is the MathCounts chapter competition on Saturday, Feb. 27 at Horace Mann Junior School. There, Goose Creek students will face winners from surrounding school districts.