Done at last! - Math challenge story

Today marks the most awaited moment of my grade-9 student's MTAP contestants.

MMC (Metrobank-MTAP-DepEd Math Challenge)

The biggest and widely anticipated math competition among elementary and secondary students in the Philippines.

Mission

Specifically, it aims to:
a) awaken greater interest in Mathematics among elementary and high school students in both private and public schools all over the country;
b) encourage students to strive for excellence in Mathematics;
c) encourage mastery of basic mathematical skills;
d) discover mathematical talents among elementary and high school students; and
e) provide students opportunities in leadership and cooperative undertaking.

MTAP in the Philippines

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“Closed doors” in a mathematics problem can “open windows” leading to another theory."

Joy and Sherwin were grade-9 students of Mactan National High School. Everyday for two weeks, they travel to school early to attend the math review in preparation of the Math Challenge Competition.

A day before the competition, they spent their whole day studying and solving math problems. They were only given 15 minutes to break. A whole day of solving math problems was so exhausting that they were drained already at around 4:30 pm.

Before they waved goodbye, they were instructed to pray and not just depend on their own understanding.

The following day, they woke up early ready to face the "challenge". The coaches rented a multicab to travel the MTAP participants to Gun-on High School where the competition was held.

They arrived at the venue before time . And were able to attend the short program right from the start. Rationale and mechanics of the competition were announced then a dance intermission number from the selected students was presented to entertain everyone.

Right after the short program was the competition proper. A total of 12 participants out from 42 schools who participated the elimination round were there to compete.

The oral competition was divided into three categories.

First was the "Easy" round in which each problem was good for 15 seconds only.

In this round, the contestants will solve the problem mentally. They are to hold their ballpens "up" while the problem is being read by the conductor. They are to solve ten problems with 2 points each for every correct answer. A perfect score of 20 points.

Second was the "Average" round in which each problem was good for 30 seconds only.

It has five problems to solve, with 3 points for every correct answer. A perfect score of 15 points.

In this round the participants are given the chance to solve the problem on a scratch paper good for 30 seconds only.

Lastly was the "Difficult" round in which each problem was good for 60 seconds only.

It has 5 difficult problems to be solved.
In this round the participants are given the chance to solve the problem on a scratch paper good for 60 seconds only. A perfect score of 25 points.

Joy and Sherwin worked as a team. They need to trust each other for a hopeful result.

It was a battle of the brainy! No one can tell the struggles they had encountered. Coaches were made to stay in a placed away from the classroom where the competition was held to avoid coaching.

The Math team of Mactan National high school.

Done at last! Rank 7!
The result of the competition was not that victorious as what they thought! Joy and Sherwin rank the 7th place out of 12 participating schools. Though they didn't make it on the top, the fact that they were able to make it on the "finals" - as their coach they were already winners! And that was the best thing that had happened on that day!

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May it be told that once upon a time Joy and Sherwin - Grade9 students of Mactan National High School, gave their best and their best were sufficient enough!

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Steem on!
Proud coach here!

Yours Truly @fabio2614