Maths

MATHEMATICS SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP

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ECIS MATHEMATICS

SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP

OUR MISSION

The purpose of the Mathematics special interest group is to transform practice through professional learning opportunities that feature leading practice and are evidence-led; a further goal is, where appropriate, to create research and/or research opportunities around particular problems of practice.

MEET THE COMMITTEE

Rebecca Murry

Rebecca Murry is a Math Specialist for the Middle School at the United Nations International School (UNIS). Previously, she was a STEM teacher, a Math Coach, and a Primary School teacher. Prior to being an educator, she was an architect for 22 years in both private and public sectors in New York City. She has an MS Ed in both General and Special Education from Bank Street Graduate School of Education in NY. She is a Lead Author for Mathematics & STEM at the Common Ground Collaborative and co-author of a publication about Building Linear Systems with Dr. Cathy Fosnot. She believes in exposing students to relevant (especially how math can help deconstruct climate change problems) and unique experiences to apply their mathematical understanding. These learning opportunities provide spaces for promoting equity, diversity, and the development of individual math identities within a learning community.

Özge Gültekin

Özge Gültekin is High School Vice Principal at Hisar Schools, Istanbul, Turkey. Previously Özge worked as the Head of Math Department at Enka Schools, Istanbul. She has MS degree in General Education from Framingham State College, MA, USA. She is a certified ECIS International Teacher, CIS Accreditation team member and IBDP examiner. Özge has experience in teaching mathematics for grades 5-12 ; mostly IBDP HL Mathematics, Cambridge IGCSE and AP AB Calculus. She is passionate about curriculum alignment, integration technology to math classes and differentiation.

Will Kirkwood

Will Kirkwood is one of the Learning and Technology Coaches at Zurich International School. He has been an international school educator for almost 20 years working as an elementary school classroom teacher and also an educational technology specialist. Will is a passionate educator with a special interest in mathematics education. He has been involved in the ECIS Math Quest events for over a decade.

Aysegul Yildirim

Aysegul Yildirim is a Mathematics Teacher at Istanbul Enka Schools for the last 16 years. She started her career in maths education as the Head of Middle School Math Department at Hisar Schools. She has her BS and MS degree in Mathematics Education from Bogazici University. She is an active participant and organizer of ECIS Math Quest. Aysegul is a MYP teacher and CIS Accreditation team member. Her special interest in curriculum and instructional design is making all students access and understand mathematics with up to date approaches.

James Ballard

James is a mathematics graduate and primary teacher from the UK, with 10 years of experience at schools in London, Mongolia, Italy and now Luxembourg. He has a passion for problem solving, and developing ways for primary students to become adept problem solvers. James helped co-ordinate the virtual ECIS Maths Quest event held in 2021, and hopes to broaden the reach of the event over coming years. His other interests include sustainability, running and making music.

Emily Sliman

Emily Sliman holds degrees in applied mathematics and mathematics education. After 13 years of working in international schools in Moscow, Amsterdam, Prague, Bangkok and Tokyo, Emily has returned home to Atlanta where she now teaches IB MYP and DP mathematics at Atlanta International School. Emily has a passion for teaching and encourages her students to determine how they learn best and to be creative problem solvers. Emily is excited to spread her joy of mathematics through the SIG. When not geeking out about math, you can find her doing yoga or yelling at her favorite sports team, Atlanta United FC!

INDIVIDUAL CHALLENGE: ONLINE EVENT
STUDENTS WORK INDEPENDENTLY
to complete 4 rounds of 8 questions (worth 1 point each). The students in a team work on a different round at the same time. Each round lasts for 16 minutes (128 points available).
TEAM CHALLENGE
EACH TEAM WORKS ON
a set of 5 questions worth 2 points each.

4 ROUNDS
16 minutes per-round (40 points available)
PRACTICAL CHALLENGE
EACH TEAM WORKS ON
a set of 3 problems worth 10 points each.

20 MINUTES
to solve each problem (30 points available).

The order the challenges occur varies from year to year but below is the typical structure.

DAY 1: Math Trail

All teams are taken to a location either in the host town or a local museum. Students have to complete a series of questions (usually 11) in this location (22 points available). Often after the Math Trail all students do a tour of the city.

DAY 2: Challenges

Individual Challenge

Students work independently to complete 4 rounds of 8 questions (worth 1 point each). The students in a team work on a different round at the same time. Each round lasts for 16 minutes (128 points available).

Team Challenge

Each team works together on a set of 5 questions (worth 2 points each). There are 4 rounds and there are 16 minutes per round (40 points available).

Practical Challenge

Each team works together on 3 problems (worth 10 points each). Each team has 20 minutes to solve each problem (30 points available).

Day 3: Investigations & Construction

Often half a day

Investigations

Each team works together on 3 problems. Each problem is timed (maximum 20 minutes).

When they complete a problem their elapsed time is recorded. If they get the answer correct they receive a score based on how long it took to complete the problem. Often the score is broken down as follows 5 minutes = 10 points, 10 minutes = 7 points, 15 minutes = 5 points, 20 minutes = 3 points. (30 points available).

Construction Challenge

For this challenge teams are mixed. Each team is made up of 4 students from different schools. The new teams are provided materials and have to construct a specified thing (in Oslo it was a ski jump where you had to jump a marble off, etc). There is 60 minutes to complete the task. This challenge is judged on the criteria set by the host school (height, strength, distance, teamwork, etc). There are no points available for this but a prize is given to the “best” construction.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Previous competition questions

We have put together a collection of many of the competition questions from throughout the years. It is a huge resource and it fantastic to use to help prepare teams for future Math Quests and also can be helpful to find challenging activities for math classes.
Request access to the papers

Information for host schools

We have also put together information for schools who are planning to host a future Math Quest tournament. This information will hopefully guide you through the process and help ensure the event is a great success.

Click here to look at general tips document

Click here to access a folder of templates

Competition history

The ECIS Math Quest competition has had a long and interesting history. The competition was started by a lady called Monica Parker from Madrid who actually had participated in a type of Math Quest when she was a child. She thought it would be a great idea for her students. She was a member of an ECIS committee and through this connection and her hard work the first event was organised.

Initially, the competitions were not as competitive as they are today as the focus was more on just having a good time with Math. In the early years only the top three teams found out their place and everyone received a certificate. The competition actually ended with all the coaches getting together and making suggestions of how it could be improved for the next year.

A funny tale was when the actual trophy was accidentally dropped and was broken. Luckily they were able to find the same sculptor in Madrid and she was able to remake the trophy.

Below you will find a list of the host schools and winners from throughout the years. As you will notice we actually haven’t been able to find out the host school for the early years. If you know please let us know.

2022 – Online

2021 – Host: St Georges Luxembourg (online) Winner: St Georges Luxembourg

2020 – Host: St Georges Luxembourg (cancelled due to COVID-19)

2019 – Host: Enka School Istanbul Winner: International School of Brussels

2018 – Host: Stockholm International School Winner: Berlin Brandenburg International School

2017 – Host: International School of Geneva Winner: St Marys

2016 – Host: Europa International School Winner: Oslo International School

2015 – Host: Oslo International School Winner: St Marys

2014 – Host: Berlin Brandenburg International School Winner: St Marys

2013 – Host: International School of Stuttgart Winner: Oslo International School

2012 – Host: British School of Paris Winner: St Marys

2010 – Host: The British School of Brussels Winner: British School of Paris