26.11.2022

Students win medals in their first participation in a Mathematical Olympiad

Beacon participated for the first time in the M.S.F. (Mathematica sem Fronteiras) Olympiad. The event is divided into two segments, national and state. In the first, the 7th and 8th-grade students (Y7 and Y8) won silver medals and the 6th-grade (Y6) and 9th-grade (Y9) students won bronze. At the state level, from 7th grade to 9th grade (Y7 to Y9), the students received silver medals, and the 1st grade and 6th grade got bronze. In all, Beacon earned 70 medals, 35 silver and 35 bronze.

The M.S.F. is the Brazilian section of the Mathématiques sans Frontières international event, created by the Académie de Strasbourg, Inspection Pédagogique Régionale de Mathématiques and IREM (Institut de Recherche sur l’Enseignement des Mathématiques), agencies linked to the French Ministry of Education.

In Brazil, the International Mathematical Olympiad is organized by the POC Network, which consists of a scientific exchange program that aims to stimulate interest among students in science, technology, and innovation. 

The MSF differs from other competitions of its kind, such as the OBMEP for example, in that it is held by teams formed by the classes themselves. The students solved the challenges in groups, highlighting the “Agency” concept, whose goal is to promote the resolution of problem situations and celebrate the results of the students’ efforts as a team.

Another differential consists in the fact that the test is not aimed only at students who have high abilities in the subject. The intention is to encourage teamwork and provide them with a moment to think together about mathematical problems. However, for a first time participation, the school opted for a reduced number, restricted to the students of the Math Club.

Since this is the first edition of the Beacon Olympiad, and because of the teaching dynamic adopted by the school, the expectation is that the collective results for 2023 will be even better.