Young PH students bag 126 medals at SG math competition

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Members of the Filipino team

 

The Philippine team won 126 medals in the 4th Singapore International Mathematics Olympiad (SIMOC), which was held from July 7 to 8.

The PH team, composed of 116 Grade 2 to Grade 11 students from various schools in the Philippines, joined the competition in Singapore through the efforts of the Asian MathSci League Inc. (AMSLI).

They won 14 gold medals, 43 silver medals, and 69 bronze medals, with some students receiving multiple medals across three different categories.

Sixteen countries, including the Philippines, participated in the competition. The SIMOC is a unique concept of mathematics competition because its tests not only the ability to solve mathematical problems but also the ability of participants to work as a team in playing interactive mathematical games and solving puzzles.

During the competition, the SIMOC group, headed by Executive Director Henry Ong, also kept the teacher-coaches busy with a day-long training aimed to improve the teaching of mathematics.

Invited representatives from the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Department of Science and Technology – Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI) likewise attended mathematics-related seminars conducted by professors from the National Institute of Education (NIE) of Singapore.

DOST-SEI Director Josette Biyo congratulated all the winners and thanked the AMSLI for their efforts in introducing young Filipinos to international math and science competitions.

“Here’s a fresh crop of math champions that we eagerly look forward to welcoming in the science community. At an early age, they have made the country proud. We hope the SIMOC competition ignited their passion and talent for mathematics in as much as it instilled in them the value of collaboration, hard work, and patriotism,” Biyo said.

The awarding ceremony was held on July 8, 2018 at the National University of Singapore Cultural Centre Theatre. Among those who attended the ceremony were AMSLI President Rechilda Villame and Philippine Ambassador to Singapore Joseph Del Mar Yap.