The Equestrian Trails Elementary School’s Math Academic Games team finished in first place at this year’s competition held at John I. Leonard High School. More than 200 students in Palm Beach County took part in the competition.
Students’ mathematical creativity is challenged when playing the game Equations against opponents from more than 30 elementary schools. Integers, exponents, square roots and fractions, are used to create mathematical solutions equivalent to a set goal. There may be several solutions for the same goal, but students must prove the equation’s value.
Coach Michelle Regnerus leads the team members through numerous practice sessions, teaching perplexing mathematical strategies, performance under pressure and good sportsmanship. During practices, teammates share and discuss strategic ways to manipulate the 24 game cubes to create numerical expressions that equal a complex goal. Those strategies are then applied when playing against other schools, earning both team and individual points throughout the four-day competition.
Along with the first-place team award, Arjun Mendiratta tied for third place, and Christopher Polin received honorable mention. Other team members include Jack Marranzino, Theodora Hirmina, Justin Vinci, Starienne Lomonaco, Joseph Starr, Joel Vincent, Jonathan Godek, ShunCheng Liang and Sanjana Gupta.
ABOVE: Joe Starr, Arjun Mendiratta, Justin Vinci, Sanjana Gupta, Starienne Lomonaco, Theodora Hermina, Joel Vincent, ShunCheng Liang, Jonathan Godek, Christopher Polin and Jack Marranzino.
