NLE Math Olympiads Information Night NLE PICO – Kareena Nair Sept 12, 2017

Math Olympiads (MOEMS) Math Olympiads for Elementary and Middle Schools (MOEMS) is a large and popular mathematics competition for students in grades 4 through 8 It is open only to schools, home schools, and institutes (NOT INDIVIDUALS). A school can make one team of up to 35 students. Multiple teams can be formed. Read more about MOEMS at http://www.moems.org NLE PICO (Person in charge of) / NLE Math Coordinator is: Kareena Nair, knair.math@gmail.com

Math Olympiads (MOEMS) Goals: To stimulate enthusiasm and a love for Mathematics To introduce important Mathematical concepts To teach major strategies for problem solving To develop Mathematical flexibility in solving problems To strengthen Mathematical intuition To foster Mathematical creativity and ingenuity To provide for the satisfaction, joy, and thrill of meeting challenges

Math Olympiads (MOEMS) Format: Math contests are taken in the participating school. Five monthly contests are administered from November through March. Each contest consists of five problems with first being the simplest and last being the hardest. Every problem requires careful mathematical thinking. Each student performs individually. He/she scores 1 point for each correct answer. Thus, a student may score up to 25 points (cumulative) per year. Calculators are not permitted. Students must walk in with their own pencil and eraser. There is a time limit of 30 minutes to complete the test. There used to be a time limit per question in the past but last year they changed the rules to allow only an overall 30 minute restriction. PICO administers the tests and scores the students. After each contest, results are submitted to MOEMS for scorekeeping. That helps determine the awards that need to be shipped after the last contest. Contest questions, correct answers, and student scores are shared with the parents and their respective coaches

Math Olympiads (MOEMS) Registration Requirements: Only 3rd, 4th, 5th Graders can participate. PTO paid membership (yearly dues of $20) is highly encouraged. PTO membership can be paid at: https://nlepto.ptboard.com/home. MOEM Fees is waived if you are a PTO paid member. Otherwise, approximately $20 of non-refundable MOEMS fees is to be paid to the PICO (Kareena Nair) to cover MOEMS fees and admin costs. Exact amount of fees is determined after team(s) are registered at MOEMS site. Currently only 1 team is formed and can have up to 35 students only. Registration is first come first serve basis. Second team will only be formed if we receive over 39 requests. This will allow us to split into two teams of 20. PTO membership must be paid at the time of registration. Else, MOEMS fees is to be paid to PICO prior to Test #1. All students interested must be registered by: OCTOBER 13, 2017. Registration Link will be posted on NLE Website under “Enrichment Programs” and will also be emailed to parents who filled out the Interest Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe5zTkOSivDyT2Anyd_ftPzbSbtZGXS nQC4ixOCq9XUFCwOzg/viewform?c=0&w=1

Math Olympiads (MOEMS) Curriculum: Visit MOEMS Store: http://store.moems.org to purchase books that will help prepare for the tests. PICO Recommended Book - CREATIVE PROBLEM SOLVING in School Mathematics 2nd Edition by Dr. George Lenchner Other books to consider purchasing to practice Math problems at home/coaching sessions: MATH OLYMPIAD CONTEST PROBLEMS (Volume 1) MATH OLYMPIAD CONTEST PROBLEMS (Volume 2) MATH OLYMPIAD CONTEST PROBLEMS (Volume 3) All 4 books can be purchased for $129.00 (does not include S&H)

Math Olympiads (MOEMS) Test Preparation: MOEMS is a 100% parent volunteer program.  Parents need to step up and volunteer to coach a few students (3 to 5). Students need to be coached weekly for a minimum of 1 to 1.5 hours. Homework and assignments are highly encouraged. It is not guaranteed that every child will have a coach if enough parents do not volunteer. In that case, parents are responsible for coaching their own child. Even though these are individual performance tests, it is highly recommended that students get coached in a team environment. This is really beneficial if the student is interested in participating in the Loudoun County Regional Math Tournament next year. Recommend that Volunteer Coaches work directly with PICO for student assignments so students can be distributed based on their respective grades.

MOEMS Test Sample Questions Q1: David removes 30% of the water in a jar. He then removes 40% of what remains in the jar. What percent of the original amount of water is now in the jar? A1: When 30% of the water is removed, 70% remains. Then when 40% of that 70% is removed, 60% of the 70% remains. Thus, 0.6 × 70% = 42% of the original amount that remains in the jar. Q2: If 3/4 of a certain number is 36, what is 2/3 of that same number? A2: Since ¾ of the number is 36, the number is 36 divided by ¾, which is 48. Then 2/3 of 48 is 32. Q3: If ADD + ADD + ADD = SUMS and A is even, what number is SUMS? A3: Sum of 3 digit number is less than 3000 making S 1 or 2. Use those options to determine D+D+D=S. You will find no solution with 1 but a solution with 2 making SUMS=2532

IMPORTANT! MOEMS Test Dates, Location, Time: November 14, 2017, Tuesday: NLE Library, 5:30pm to 6:30pm December 12, 2017, Tuesday: NLE Library, 5:30pm to 6:30pm January 16, 2018, Tuesday: NLE Library, 5:30pm to 6:30pm February 13, 2018, Tuesday: NLE Library, 5:30pm to 6:30pm March 06, 2018, Tuesday: NLE Library, 5:30pm to 6:30pm All students must be registered by October 13, 2017. The sooner the better so volunteer coaches can be assigned (if available). Reminder: Registration is first come first serve. 2nd team will be formed only if we receive over 39 registration requests.

Parents Involvement in MOEMS: MOEMS is a 100% parent volunteer program. We need volunteers for: Coaching 3 to 5 kids at your home once a week for 1 to 1.5 hours Assist PICO in setting up test room and administering test on test days from 5pm to 7pm (only 2 to 4 volunteers needed) All students must be dropped off at NLE Library on Test dates by 5:30pm and picked up by 6:30pm. Students need to come with a sharpened pencil and eraser.

Awards & Ceremony: Highest Individual Scorer (Gold) Trophy is awarded to the student with the highest cumulative score of 5 contests Honorable Mention (Silver) Trophy is awarded to the student with the second highest cumulative score of 5 contests Gold Logo Pin is awarded to the top 2% of all participants in Division Silver Logo Pin is awarded to the next 8% of all participants in Division Embroidered Patch is awarded to the top 50% of all participants in Division Certificate of Participation is awarded to every participant Award Ceremony is held during 4th quarter of school year

Questions? Comments? THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME!