Competition for children has its pros and cons. Some experts believe that competition is inherently harmful because it puts too much pressure on young children. Others go as far as claiming it causes stress and anxiety, and is harmful and destructive to self-esteem. Meanwhile, proponents of healthy competition believe that kids who compete in anything from sports to academics are more resilient and better prepared for the challenges of adulthood. Competition teaches kids to get out of their comfort zones and helps develop valuable teamwork and communication skills.

So, how can we involve children in low-stress competition with a focus on participation over personal success? This is where the Matific Olympiad comes in.

That’s right! The Matific AU/NZ Maths Olympiad is back and scheduled from the 5th - 9th September 2022. Registration is free.

Wondering why you should register? There are a million good reasons to join in the fun, but we’ve made a list of 7:

1. Don’t Let Your Students Miss Out!
   Immense Learning
   Every year, millions of students participate in this fun maths competition. During the competition, students solve millions of maths problems, resulting in immense learning. Not only do students learn, but they have fun while doing it! It’s a great opportunity for your students to be a part of a fun, gamified learning experience. 
   
   A Chance to Compete with Students Across AU/NZ
   The added challenge of knowing that they’re competing with students across Australia and New Zealand will motivate students to keep going and achieve even more in maths. 
   
   Builds Teamwork
   The competition aspect will also band students together within their classrooms and schools, helping encourage teamwork. Students earn stars to reach individual targets. Then, those stars are added to the school’s overall count. By working together, students can help their school succeed. When you register, the buzz of excitement about the Maths Olympiad will begin! 
   
   As a principal at a school in Australia said about the Maths Olympiad, “The competition at our school is a real celebration! And the learning achieved is higher than at any other time of the year.” So, don’t let your students miss out!
    
2. Create a Love of Maths
   During the Maths Olympiad, students will solve problems and work through exciting activities on Matific. One thing we consistently hear from both new and seasoned Matific users is that they love it! The digital maths resource helps students see real-world applications of maths and explore fun, new worlds, all while learning rigorous maths content. One teacher says, “My students beg to use Matific! They love the fun, interactive activities and how they get immediate feedback.” Who knows? Maybe the Maths Olympiad 2022 will be the start of your students’ new love for maths!
    
3. Boost Results 
   The competition involves using the award-winning digital maths resource, Matific. It is an excellent tool in the classroom and has proven to help improve student results by 34%. Matific uses adaptive technology so that each student can learn at their own pace and work on activities that provide just the right level of challenge. 
    
4. Discover Student Strengths and Areas for Improvement
   Throughout the competition, you will have access to reports about your students’ progress. This helps give teachers insights into their students’ strengths and areas where they need more support and intervention. Additionally, class and school reporting can help give administrators a better picture of their learning achievements overall, as well as identify any gaps. Plus, you can compare your class against the national average.  
    
5. Reduce Maths Anxiety
   A lot of students dread maths and have built up anxiety about it. They're worried that they are going to fail. And then, that anxiety actually causes them to perform poorly. 
   
   Let’s change that narrative! Matific uses games and engaging maths activities to help students explore maths concepts without the pressure of tests or a red pen that will mark their mistakes. With Matific, students can relax, learn at their own pace, and enjoy the process of learning maths, eliminating the anxiety of traditional maths instruction. 
   
   It’s also important to note that the focus of the competition is participation, not “who’s the best.” The goal is to earn stars, which are obtained by completing activities. So, the anxiety of getting everything right is removed, as students focus on learning, enjoying the activities, and having fun along the way.
    
6. Get FREE Access to Matific
   As soon as you register your class or school, your students can start using Matific for free! Access will continue until shortly after the competition is over. To take full advantage of the practice period, register now.
   
   One great tool schools can take advantage of during the practice period is the placement test. It's a short 20-minute test which every student gets when they first log in to Matific. This helps determine students’ level in maths and can provide valuable feedback to teachers. 
    
7. Earn Prizes (And Bragging Rights!)
   If all of the above reasons weren’t enough, there are also prizes! A total of $3000 worth of cash prizes, are up for grabs for schools. In addition, students will be entered to win one of three Apple vouchers worth $500. Each student will earn entries based on the number of stars they obtained throughout the competition. 

The Matific Maths Olympiad offers schools, classrooms, students, and teachers a wonderful opportunity to focus on maths in a fun, engaging way for a few days this coming September. Plus, it offers a chance for learning and growth that you won’t find in any other online event. Register today.  We can’t wait to see you on the leaderboard!