The annual International Mathematical Kangaroo Contest, also known as le Kangourou des Mathématiques (French Language Program) and Känguru der Mathematik (German Language Program), is a staple in the robust STEM program at Silicon Valley International School (INTL). This globally recognized competition offers students from 1st through 12 Grades the opportunity to showcase their problem-solving abilities and celebrate their passion for mathematics.
The contest presents a unique challenge for students. Participants sit for a single, 75-minute round brimming with multiple-choice questions that progressively increase in difficulty and point value. This format not only tests students' computational fluency but also their critical thinking and strategic problem-solving skills.
Top 3 French Program Students (top left - 3rd Grade : top right - 4th Grade : bottom 5th Grade)
This year, students across INTL's language tracks embraced the challenge. In the Elementary School, participation encompassed students enrolled in both French and German immersion programs (Grades 3-5). Notably, Louis C. (3rd Grade) secured an impressive 17th place ranking out of a staggering 28,949 global participants. Building upon his prior year's success, Martin G. (4th Grade) secured the 37th spot among 33,740 participants, while Charlotte R. (5th Grade) was the top in her grade at INTL, placing 46th out of 36,636 participants.
Differing from the French version, the German program employed a tiered award system for their branch of the contest. Levin A. (4th Grade) and Nicklas W. (5th Grade) once again emerged as top performers within their respective INTL classes, receiving Tier 2 rankings on a global scale.
Levin A (4th Grade) - Niklas W. (5th Grade)
At the Middle School level (Grades 6-8), participation spanned all language tracks. Half of the participating 6th Graders secured rankings within the top 10% globally, with Derek C., Lucian L., and Rowan C. leading the charge. Sophie G. (7th Grade) achieved an exceptional ranking, finishing #18 out of a remarkable 41,903 participants, placing her within the top 0.0004% globally. Her classmates, Madison C. (#22) and Adam L. (#58), followed closely behind, further demonstrating the strength of INTL's mathematics program. Rounding out the Middle School participants were the 8th graders, led by Max P. (#125), Eva A. (#226), and Soledad Y. (#330).
The Kangaroo Math Contest delves into an array of mathematical concepts incorporating a diverse range of problems encompassing basic math, algebra, geometry, and even logic. Structured into three sections, the contest begins with straightforward, one-step questions designed to assess foundational concepts. Subsequent sections progressively increase in difficulty, demanding more creative problem-solving approaches and higher-order thinking skills.
Example questions: French Grade 3-4, German Grade 5-6, English Middle School
INTL's participation in the math contest exemplifies the school's commitment to pushing its students to embrace complexity and think critically. By engaging with challenging and engaging mathematical problems, students develop not only their computational fluency but also their critical thinking and problem-solving abilities – skills that serve them well not only in mathematics but also throughout their academic journey. The impressive results achieved by our students are a testament to their dedication and the exceptional instruction provided by our talented mathematics faculty.
