Northstar MathCounts
MathCounts Information Letter, Important Upcoming Dates, and Permission Slip
Who can join?
The MathCounts Competition Series Club is open to all students at Northstar. It is designed for students who have a passion for mathematics or are interested in exploring the exciting world of math competitions. The club will be led by Miranda Stowell, our Math Instructional Coach, educator, and math enthusiast with a strong background in mathematics education.
What is MathCounts?
MathCounts is a national middle school mathematics competition that aims to develop problem-solving skills, critical thinking, and a deeper understanding of mathematical concepts. Our club will prepare students for the MathCounts competition series, which includes four levels of competition:
1. School Competition – There will hopefully be three School Competitions this school year with one occurring at each of the three middle schools in ECASD. Only ECASD students participate in this level of competition. All students who are on our Northstar team are eligible to attend all school competitions. We will fill teams of 6th grade, 7th grade, 8th grade, Algebra and Geometry.
2. Chapter Competition – This competition includes participants from various middle schools in our area, including but not limited to Altoona, Menomonie, Chippewa Falls, Hudson, River Falls, Rice Lake, etc. We can only take the top 12 students from our Northstar team. Those who attend more meetings and School Competitions are more likely to get chosen for the Chapter Competition.
3. State Competition – An individual or team may qualify for this level of competition at the Chapter Competition. The last time Northstar had a student go to State for MathCounts was in 2020. The State Competition usually takes place in March.
4. National Competition. An individual or team may qualify for this level of competition at the State Competition. The National Competition usually takes place in May.
These contests cover a wide range of mathematical topics and provide an opportunity for students to showcase their abilities. Mathcounts competitions involve students taking a team test and an individual test. Top competitors will compete in the Countdown Round where students compete for top Mathlete by buzzing in their answers to various math questions. Mathcounts is not much of a spectator sport, but parents are welcome to come to watch the Countdown Round at the Chapter Competition. A schedule will be sent home sometime in January for the Chapter Competition. Competitions occur during the school day, so students need to communicate with their teachers about their absence. Students can participate in both sports and Mathcounts since the competitions will not interfere with sports events. If a student is attending a Mathcounts competition and needs to make it back for a sporting event we can make arrangements to get them back to Northstar on time.
When is MathCounts?
The MathCounts Competition Series Club will meet weekly on Fridays in room 855 at Northstar. To help accommodate student’s busy schedules three different meeting times are offered every Friday from November 10th through January 26th: Morning (6:55-7:25 am), Resource (during their grade level Resource time), After School (3:00-3:30 pm). Students only need to attend one of the meeting times offered each Friday and can switch up which time they would like to attend to best fit their schedule. Detailed meeting and competition dates (and times) are noted on the backside. Snacks will be provided at all weekly meetings
Why participate in MathCounts?
Participating in the MathCounts Competition Series Club offers numerous benefits for our students. It helps develop strong problem-solving skills, enhances logical and analytical thinking, and fosters a deeper appreciation for mathematics. Moreover, Mathcounts is a prestigious national competition that can open doors to academic scholarships and recognition for our students. Through the club, our students will have the opportunity to form long lasting friendships with fellow math enthusiasts, learn from dedicated educators, and gain valuable experiences for their future academic and career pursuits.