Selected students from Grades 3 to 6 at Ateneo Grade School (AGS) participated in the Summer Math Problem Solving Program from June 18 to June 21, 2024. This four-day enrichment program was designed to enhance students' mathematical skills through a variety of problem-solving activities aimed at boosting their number sense, visual manipulation, and logical reasoning.
The program, which took place at AGS, offered an array of activities tailored to different grade levels, helping young learners develop critical thinking skills while engaging in fun and challenging exercises. For the Grade 3 students, the youngest participants, the program presented a series of number puzzles and visual manipulation activities such as Connect the Numbers, Numbrix, Sudoku (using pictures), Pentominos, Reverse Addition Table, and Go Fish. These activities were designed to foster creativity, an essential aspect of problem-solving. Grace Yn-Uy, Subject Area Coordinator for Mathematics, expressed her excitement about the program's potential to nurture a new generation of math enthusiasts. “We’ve been sending contestants to various Math Olympiads and we are currently trying to develop the problem-solving skills of yet a new group of boys. Maraming mababait at magagaling pa rin,” she noted.
Grade 4 students demonstrated their passion for mathematics through a series of engaging activities. They participated in Math Bingo, Twisted Addition Table, and a favorite activity called Eliminators, where they identified numbers based on specific criteria such as being odd/even or divisible by a certain value. The students also engaged in hands-on problem-solving exercises including Odds and Evens, No-Three-in-a-Line, King Arthur, Jack and the Beanstalk, and colored shapes. The program’s emphasis on systematic problem-solving helped Grade 4 students develop organized approaches and articulate their solutions effectively. The origami activity, in particular, showcased their ability to follow instructions and gain insights through creative methods.
For Grade 5 students, the program introduced a range of arithmetic and geometric puzzles designed to enhance their problem-solving heuristics. One of the highlights of their experience was their ability to share their thought processes and strategies with minimal guidance. The students demonstrated persistence and focus, with one participant sharing that he spent three hours solving a challenging 6x6 KenKen puzzle the night before the final day.
The enthusiasm of Grade 6 students was palpable as they engaged with various puzzles and problems. They exhibited strong collaborative skills and were keen to explain their solutions to peers. During the pyramid game, their eagerness to participate and demonstrate their understanding was evident.
At the conclusion of the program, all 76 students and 8 teachers were pleased with the experience. Teachers noted the students' self-motivation and enthusiasm, even for the more challenging problems. The students consistently completed their homework and actively participated in all activities, indicating their potential as future problem-solvers.
The Summer Math Problem Solving Program is part of a broader initiative under the Department of Mathematics, inspired by the advocacy of Fr. Ben Nebres to enhance STEM education in the Philippines. In the early 2000s, Fr. Ben and Dr. Queena N. Lee-Chua launched a program aimed at cultivating problem-solving skills among young students. Their vision was to challenge and inspire the brightest young minds, with the hope that these students would contribute significantly to nation-building. This program represents a crucial effort to develop a strong foundation in mathematics and problem-solving, preparing students for future academic and professional success in STEM fields.
