It’s 11:44.
Aaron Lu races out of the classroom and heads to Carlmont Math Teacher Dan Nguyen’s classroom.
It’s time for the math contest.
Every other Tuesday, math contests are held to give students an opportunity to obtain extra credit for their math grade.
Each math contest is made up of six questions that encourage critical thinking from students.
The math contests are created by the California Math League and the Atlantic-Pacific Mathematics League. The California Math League contests allow students the use of a calculator while the Atlantic-Pacific Mathematics League does not.
Rachel.Amir Chatman, a sophomore and one of many students who participate in the math contests, said, “I participate in the math contests because my math class is an intense class and having a chance to raise my grade is an opportunity I couldn’t refuse.”
While most students participate in math contests to receive extra credit, some students participate simply for their love of math.
Sandra Strongin, a senior, said, “I am a self-described nerd. I love math, and I find it fun to participate in the math contests.”
Some students choose not to participate in the biweekly math contests but enjoy the chaos that ensues as soon as the bell rings.
Sunya Abhasi, a sophomore, said, “It’s really funny to me when the bell rings on the day of a math contest and students begin running from their third-period classroom.”
Chatman runs to the math contests to make sure she grabs a seat before all the desks are taken.
“If you arrive at the math contests after all the spots are taken then you can’t participate in the contest that day. I get why the teachers have this policy in place but sometimes I feel very stressed trying to get to the math contests on time,” Chatman said.
The last math contest of the fall semester was held Tuesday, Dec. 12, but the contests will resume next semester.
The contests are also held to help prepare students for the second semester’s AMC (American Math Contest), a math competition that is recognized by universities nationwide and can qualify students for scholarships.
