It was fun and Maths games at Bairnsdale Secondary College last Friday when the school hosted the ‘ Orbost Bairnsdale Maths Competition ‘ for the second time running.

Twenty four enthusiastic student guests from Orbost Secondary College arrived in anticipation of performing well and taking  home their share of  medals. 

 During last year’s event students from both schools met to compete in the game of Challenge 24 and to share their enjoyment of mathematics. The game of Challenge 24  requires students to carry out very quick mental calculations that involve arranging random numbers with any of the four mathematical operations to produce the number twenty-four. Students between years 7 and 9 compete while year 10 students act as proctors, ensuring that games run smoothly and records of winners are maintained.

The event was so successful last year  that both schools decided to run it annually.  This year a collaborative problem solving component was included in the competition adding to the challenges of the day.

In a very close and highly contested competition, Orbost Secondary College took the problem solving trophy with the only difference between the teams being the final setting out process. The year level winners for this year’s Challenge 24 were Michael Morrow from Orbost Secondary College ( Year 7),  Jock Rankin, Bairnsdale Secondary College (Year 8), and Kellen Frost, Orbost Secondary College (Year 9).  

This year’s mathematics event was so successful plans are underway for an even bigger and better one next year.