Primary Team Maths Challenge 2020

Teams made up of 4 P7 pupils from 12 local primary schools took part in the Primary Team Maths Challenge organised by Ballymena Academy on Friday 31st January 2020. Mrs Wilson and the team of Y14 Maths Mentors used materials produced by the UK Mathematics Trust to run the competition which had 3 rounds.

Teams made up of 4 P7 pupils from 12 local primary schools took part in the Primary Team Maths Challenge organised by Ballymena Academy on Friday 31st January 2020. Mrs Wilson and the team of Y14 Maths Mentors used materials produced by the UK Mathematics Trust to run the competition which had 3 rounds.
Crossnumber – time allowed 30 minutes
The team answer as many questions as possible using the practice grid, and write their final answer on the answer grid. They can show this answer grid to the Maths Mentor at any time, who will then either confirm or correct the answer. The clues are connected but there are some that can be answered without reference to any other clues.

Shuttle – 4 rounds of 8 minutes each.
Each team is divided into two pairs, with the Maths Mentor sitting between them. Pair A are given questions 1 and 3 (along with the record sheet on which to write the answers) and Pair B given questions 2 and 4. Alternate pairs start each round, so on the second round Pair B are given questions 1 and 3 and Pair A receive questions 2 and 4.
Question 1 can be solved independently of the others, but the answer to each of the subsequent questions is dependent on the previous answer, referred to as T in questions 2, 3 and 4 (e.g. “T is the number that you will receive.”) A bonus of 3 points is awarded if there is a correct set of answers after 6 minutes.

Relay – time allowed 40 minutes.
The aim here is to have a speed competition with teams working in pairs to answer alternate questions. Each team is divided into two pairs, Pair A and Pair B, with each pair seated at a different desk away from the other pair and the Maths Mentor.

A lot of fun was had by the teams as they worked with our team of senior pupils and while the questions were challenging, some comments from the accompanying staff member include
“Super event! Thanks.”
“Thanks for organising an engaging and fun event!”

The final results were as follows :-
1st place – Kells & Connor
2nd place – Antrim
3rd place – Buick Memorial

Thanks to Mr Black for allowing us to hold this event and to Mr Donnelly, the Head of Maths, for supplying the prizes