A fun challenge for middle school students

Texas Mathworks offers an exciting experience in math exploration!  The Mathworks Math Contest (MMC):

• Drives interest in doing high-level mathematics
• Develops problem-solving skills through engaging problems
• Offers mathematical experiences beyond typical middle school curricula

In addition, the MMC:

• Identifies promising students to apply to the residential Junior Summer Math Camp program
• Is part of the selection process for the Mathworks team that competes in the international  Primary Math World Contest 

Tell me more about:

1. PMWC
2. Mathworks Math Contest
3. Mathworks Team
4. Team Performance

Mathworks Math Contest:

Who can participate in the Contest?  We recommend the test be given to students who are highly motivated and interested in mathematics.  Students currently in 6th-8th grades are recommended to participate in the Contest.

How do I participate?  The test is sent to all middle school Math Coordinators in the state of Texas in November.  In 2009, we sent the test to over 1,800 schools.  We set a date for the test to be given and ask that the test be returned to us to be graded.   Contact us at mathworks@txstate.edu if your school did not receive a copy of the test.

Who should proctor the test?  We ask that the Math Coordinator or a Math Teacher proctor the Contest for interested students.  The students are given 120 minutes and the test has 15 problems.  Calculators are not allowed.  Students should show all their work to reflect how they obtained each answer.  Partial credit will be given even if you do not obtain an answer. 

How are results on the Contest used?  The test scores are used to identify highly motivated and interested students.  Top-scorers in the MMC are invited to apply to the residential Junior Summer Math Camp program, a presitgious two-week summer math program held on the Texas State University campus.  In addition, results in the MMC are used to help select the Mathworks team that competes in the international Primary Math World Contest.

What is a good way to practice?  You may look over past tests from the MMC here!  Note: we used to call it the Qualifying Test.

 Back to top

Primary Mathematics World Contest (PMWC)

Po Leung Kuk is a renowned welfare organization and school-sponsoring body in Hong Kong. It runs various types of schools including 24 kindergartens, 29 primary schools, 5 special schools, 15 secondary schools and 1 sixth-form college. Each year, Po Leung Kuk sponsors the Primary Mathematics World Contest (PMWC) in Hong Kong that attracts participants from around the world.

The PMWC aims to:

• provide an opportunity for the exchange of information of primary school mathematics education throughout the world.
• foster friendly relations among primary school students from different cities.
• discover the mathematics potential of gifted primary students among different cities.

Back to top

Mathworks PMWC Team Selection Process

From the group of semi-finalists, we will select four students to represent the Texas Mathworks team during the PMWC in Hong Kong. Team members must meet the following requirements:

1. Must be age 13 or under as of September 1 of the year of the competition and be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
2. Must not be enrolled in a secondary institute (high school) or its equivalent.
3. Must be accepted to and attend the JSMC Residential program in preparation for the trip to Hong Kong. The camp is held at Texas State University - San Marcos for two weeks in June in preparation for the July competition. 

Back to Top

PMWC Team Performance

 Back to Top