Math Kangaroo: Machananao Elementary School students, from left, Micah Edusma, Devin San Nicolas and Cristian Cruz concentrate on their math problems during the Math Kangaroo at Guam Community College in Mangilao on Friday. The Guam portion of the international Math Kangaroo is hosted annually by the GCC math and science department, according to Jayne Flores, GCC assistant director of communications and promotions.
Mathematicians hop into world of numbers
Written by Dance Aoki Pacific Daily News
Many of Guam's students, of all ages, participated in the 5th Annual Math Kangaroo competition at Guam Community College on Friday.Participants in the competition were given a small stuffed kangaroo and a T-shirt.
Students from first grade to 12th grade took a multiple choice test, and afterwards were able to enjoy a carnival of math-related games coordinated by GCC students. The test's top scorers will be considered for national recognition amongst participants from other states.
"We're trying to build up some interest in math," said Steve Lam, chairman of GCC's math department and coordinator of the event.
Educational and government leaders on the national and local level have pointed out the need to build an education pool of professionals in the science, technology, engineering and math fields. At home, parents can help grow a child's love of math, or at least an understanding of why it's important to know math.
Deputy Superintendent of the Department of Education Robb Malay said parents should never tell their children they hate math.
"If you hate math, they'll hate math, too," he said. Malay suggests parents play games, using flashcards to help them learn different math concepts. He also said that providing an allowance for children as a reward for doing basic chores can serve as a practical way to keep kids interested in numbers.
"They'll need to know how much to give to the cashier and they'll need to know how much they'll be getting back," he said.
Malay also uses flashcards with his children to help them practice math skills before they go to bed.
http://www.guampdn.com/article/20130325/NEWS01/303250306/Mathematicians-hop-into-world-numbers
Written by Dance Aoki Pacific Daily News
Many of Guam's students, of all ages, participated in the 5th Annual Math Kangaroo competition at Guam Community College on Friday.Participants in the competition were given a small stuffed kangaroo and a T-shirt.
Students from first grade to 12th grade took a multiple choice test, and afterwards were able to enjoy a carnival of math-related games coordinated by GCC students. The test's top scorers will be considered for national recognition amongst participants from other states.
"We're trying to build up some interest in math," said Steve Lam, chairman of GCC's math department and coordinator of the event.
Educational and government leaders on the national and local level have pointed out the need to build an education pool of professionals in the science, technology, engineering and math fields. At home, parents can help grow a child's love of math, or at least an understanding of why it's important to know math.
Deputy Superintendent of the Department of Education Robb Malay said parents should never tell their children they hate math.
"If you hate math, they'll hate math, too," he said. Malay suggests parents play games, using flashcards to help them learn different math concepts. He also said that providing an allowance for children as a reward for doing basic chores can serve as a practical way to keep kids interested in numbers.
"They'll need to know how much to give to the cashier and they'll need to know how much they'll be getting back," he said.
Malay also uses flashcards with his children to help them practice math skills before they go to bed.
http://www.guampdn.com/article/20130325/NEWS01/303250306/Mathematicians-hop-into-world-numbers