Math Kangaroo

Taught by Dr. Ahn

Currently, 5th thru 8th graders are being trained for Math Kangaroo. But 1st thru 12 graders are registered for Math Kangaroo.

Goal: Develop analytical and critical thinking process

Picture above: Picture above shows Dr. Ahn hosting Math Kangaroo at Whitney Test Center for 2017. About 140 students participated in the event. After Covid, he is only teaching one-on-one with Zoom online. He hosted Math Kangaroo 2018 and 2019 in March at the same testing center. - Images are blurred for privacy.

OVERVIEW

What is Math Kangaroo?

Peter O'Halloran, an Australian mathematician and a teacher, began a popular math competition in his country in the 1980's. In 1991, this idea was taken up in Paris, France. Since the idea started by an Australian, the competition began to be called 'Math Kangaroo.'

These tests are independently operated in different countries with their own language. In 1998, Math Kangaroo USA was established

Test Dates: On the third Thursday in March every year

Number of Participants: Math Kangaroo 2019 will take place in 43 US states and territories. About 30,000 American students are expected to participate along with over 6 million other participants worldwide.

Format: All multiple choice questions. 75 minutes given. Twelve (12) levels of participation. For instance, 1st and 2nd graders will take 'Levels 1 and 2' test. Same questions for 1st and 2nd. Similarly, 'Levels 7 and 8' test will be taken by 7th and 8th graders.

Format: 24 multiple choice questions for 'Levels 1 and 2' and 'Levels 3 and 4' tests. 30 multiple choice questions for all other upper grade levels tests.

Format: Three different parts in each test. Easy, Medium, Hard. They are scored 3, 4 and 5, respectively.

At the end of the March test, all participants receive T-shirts with Math Kangaroo design, Certificate of Participation and several gifts. Top winners from each level are given special prizes.

What type of problems are they being trained for?

Problems relating to clock, coins, cards, probability, dice, number theory, divisibility rules, sudoku, puzzles, calendar and much more.

How is Dr. Ahn training students?

After students solve each problem, they share how they tackled the problems with Dr. Ahn. In many situations, Dr. Ahn presents the simplest methods students can utilize for similar future problems.

They will analyze the seemingly hard problems in order to convert them into simpler scenarios by figuring out patterns or shortcuts.

When Dr. Ahn occasionally teaches shortcuts, they are not tricks. They are logically and systemically explained how those work. Students are not locked into thinking in one way. He encourages students to be creative in approaching problems.

How will this course help my child in school math?

In many ways! Simple math solving technique they learned in school is enhanced by word problems that are twisted or convoluted. Once students get comfortable with these competition style math problems, they find school math relatively easy.

Especially nowadays, students have Common Core Math which emphasizes students' understanding of math in the real world, which is in alignment with what competition math can provide and much more.

What are the eligibility to participate?

Any student (1st thru 12th graders) who is willing to take challenges in math can participate in the training and competition.