Math-A-Palooza reveals an entertaining side of math
MADISON – On March 30, hundreds of youngsters will trade a chance to ‘sleep in’ and to watch Saturday morning cartoons. They are opting instead to attend the sixth annual Math-A-Palooza.
Bob Jones High School will host Math-A-Palooza from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
In 2014, Madison City Schools introduced Math-a-Palooza to generate more interest about math in elementary schools. Students outside Madison will join boys and girls from all seven elementary schools in Madison to participate in fun competitions, all centered on math.
“Super Heroes” is the 2019 Math-a-Palooza theme. Kimberly Cox, who coaches the Bob Jones Math Team, is a faculty contact, while Aditi Limaye, Bob Jones Math Team Co-President, is a key contact among students.
Registration will be open from 8:15 to 8:45 a.m. Students will take tests from 9 to 10 a.m. As they wait in the cafeteria, parents and chaperones can enjoy complimentary coffee and try completing high school tests.
Bob Jones Math Team has prepared tests for Math-A-Palooza. Students will challenge their math aptitude in events with a Super Hero slant. A student can choose to try a round of chess, build with LEGOs, try a candy walk or play ‘trash-ketball,’ Kahoot, corn hole or bowling.
From 10 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., students can choose activities to pursue. For lunch, Mei Wei and Marco’s Pizza will offer concessions.
If a student doesn’t understand a problem on the test, he or she can go to the Solutions Room, where Bob Jones Math team members will explain the mathematical concepts and give the answers.
From 12:15 to 1 p.m., organizers will present awards in Zompa Auditorium.
The College of Mathematics at the University of Alabama in Huntsville is joining Kumon of Madison, ADTRAN Inc. and Mathnasium as event sponsors.
Math-A-Palooza organizers strive to inspire elementary school students in grades 3-6. To appeal to all students, a separate division is available for students who participate in a math team and one for those who are not involved with a team.
