Shoreline Mathematics Challenge (est. 2011)
In late spring, approximately 200 calculus students from the shoreline high schools (and one guest school each year) descend upon Haddam-Killingworth High School for the Annual Shoreline Mathematics Challenge. Participants start the day with a viewing of submissions for the calculus music video contest, with the hope that their video will be voted as “best in show” by the judges. Following the contest, students make their way to the field house for the competition portion (and main event) of the day.
The competition is set up at 5 different stations where teams of students are challenged with different tasks. One of the stops requires students to solve a grand scale calculus Sudoku puzzle*. Another taps into their detective skills as they solve calculus problems hoping to discover the combinations to a series of locks that will eventually lead them to a prize! The other stations include gigantic Tangram puzzles, Dress for Calculus (students dress teammates in crazy outfits based on solutions to calculus problems) and Helix games (circular 3D Tic-Tac-Toe, with moves earned upon correct solutions to calculus problems).
Following the competition, students’ post high school college plans are shared, the winners of the video and math competition are announced and trophies are presented. As a culminating activity, students enjoy lunch together in the cafeteria.
The Shoreline Mathematics Challenge is a fun and engaging activity that provides an opportunity for calculus students from area schools to come together and work in teams to solve calculus problems and puzzles after the AP Calculus test is done.
*New puzzle started in 2017: Lock boxes...Solve calculus questions to find the combination to a series of locks. Inside the last box is the prize
In late spring, approximately 200 calculus students from the shoreline high schools (and one guest school each year) descend upon Haddam-Killingworth High School for the Annual Shoreline Mathematics Challenge. Participants start the day with a viewing of submissions for the calculus music video contest, with the hope that their video will be voted as “best in show” by the judges. Following the contest, students make their way to the field house for the competition portion (and main event) of the day.
The competition is set up at 5 different stations where teams of students are challenged with different tasks. One of the stops requires students to solve a grand scale calculus Sudoku puzzle*. Another taps into their detective skills as they solve calculus problems hoping to discover the combinations to a series of locks that will eventually lead them to a prize! The other stations include gigantic Tangram puzzles, Dress for Calculus (students dress teammates in crazy outfits based on solutions to calculus problems) and Helix games (circular 3D Tic-Tac-Toe, with moves earned upon correct solutions to calculus problems).
Following the competition, students’ post high school college plans are shared, the winners of the video and math competition are announced and trophies are presented. As a culminating activity, students enjoy lunch together in the cafeteria.
The Shoreline Mathematics Challenge is a fun and engaging activity that provides an opportunity for calculus students from area schools to come together and work in teams to solve calculus problems and puzzles after the AP Calculus test is done.
*New puzzle started in 2017: Lock boxes...Solve calculus questions to find the combination to a series of locks. Inside the last box is the prize