Mad Hatter Coarsegold: Jayden Smeltzer, Madelynn Phillips
MADERA COUNTY — Mountain area students competed and succeeded in the Madera County Math Tournament on Friday, Apr. 13. Rivergold Elementary School placed third in the 7th grade competition, while Coarsegold Elementary School’s 8th grade team placed second in the competition. Also in the mix were students from Oak Creek Intermediate, Mountain Home School Charter, and Spring Valley Schools.
Sixteen schools and more than 225 students participated in the Math Tournament hosted by Madera County Superintendent of Schools and Madera County Schools Foundation. Each grade competed in a separate competition. Students took four tests: Leap Frog, Circuit Training, Mad Hatter, and Relay Race at the Madera Center.
Sherman Thomas STEM Academy swept the tournament overall and took first place for both the 7th and 8th grade competition on Friday. Ranchos Middle School came in second place overall and placed third at the 8th grade level.
During the Circuit Training competition teams were given 20 questions and 2 ½ minutes per question, moving through a circuit. Ranchos Middle School placed first in the Circuit Training 7th grade competition, followed by Wilson Middle School and Thomas Jefferson Middle School. Dairyland Elementary School won the 8th grade competition. Rivergold Elementary School and Sherman Thomas STEM Academy placed second. Coarsegold Elementary, Martin Luther King. Jr. Middle, Oak Creek Intermediate, Ranchos Middle, and Spring Valley Schools all tied for third.
Teams of two students answered 20 questions that were displayed on a screen in 45-second intervals during the Mad Hatter competition. Sherman Thomas STEM Academy won the 7th and 8th grade competitions, followed by a second place tie in 7th grade between Coarsegold Elementary, Dairyland Elementary and Howard Elementary Schools. Rivergold Elementary School placed third. The 8th grade second place winner was Coarsegold Elementary School followed by Ranchos Middle School.
Leap Frog Wasuma: Jane Irion, Theodore Buchanan
During the Leap Frog competition, teams of two students each answered 25 questions on their own, then switched tests and worked together to correct and complete their partner’s test. Sherman Thomas STEM Academy came in first in the 7th grade competition. Wasuma School and Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle School tied for second and Ranchos Middle School placed third. Coarsegold Elementary School won the 8th grade competition followed by Mountain Home School Charter in second and Sherman Thomas STEM Academy in third.
Students raced to answer questions during the Relay Race. Sherman Thomas STEM Academy placed first in both competitions. Mountain Home School Charter placed second in the 7th grade competition followed by Wasuma School. Coarsegold Elementary School placed second in the 8th grade competition and Ranchos Middle School placed third.
“We were happy to host one of the largest Math Tournaments to date! We doubled our number from last year,” says Dianna Marsh, Assistant Superintendent, Madera County Superintendent of Schools. “It’s such an exciting day, with fun team competitions, outdoor activities, and a lot of math!”
The event was held at the Madera Center and schools were allowed 11 students per team.
