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Over two million students expected to break a Guinness World Record for the largest online maths competition

Children all over New Zealand are preparing to join more than two million students from around the world to break a world record for the largest online maths competition when World Maths Day takes place on Wednesday 3 March 2010.

World Maths Day is the world’s largest education event where students (aged five to eighten) compete in real time against other students from around the world using the World Maths Day website. The event encourages students of all ages, backgrounds and abilities to have a go at maths in a fun, interactive and accessible way. Participation in World Maths Day is free – all you need is internet access.

Yvonne Blanch, Chief Executive of 3P Learning, the company who created and host the annual event, said, “This year we’re attempting to set a Guinness World Record™ for the Largest Online Maths Competition, and with over 2 million students from over 200 countries already registered and practising online, we’re well on our way.

“In 2009, close to two million students from 204 countries correctly answered 452,681,681 questions during the event. We’re encouraging students and schools to sign up and start practising, help us beat last year’s record, and have some fun along the way”.

There are some exciting changes for this year’s event. There is a new format with multi-levels for all age groups and for the first time teachers and parents are invited to participate and test their maths skills. Participants can also take part in World Maths Day from their iPhone and iPod Touch. The World Maths Day mobile app is free on iTunes. The app enables participants to answer questions while they’re out and about and still have them added to their score.

New Zealand World Maths Day Ambassadors Campbell (eight) from Wellesley College in Wellington and Pyong (twelve) from Glenavon School in Auckland are working to spread the word and encourage everyone to get involved.  Campbell has written to Prime Minister John Key, inviting him to support the event.

The top students in each age category will be invited to compete in live play-offs in the National Schools Challenge, held as part of the Planet 2010: Visit the Future conference at Auckland’s SkyCity on March 13 (www.planet2010.co.nz).

Yvonne Blanch says, “Whether you’re organising a school event, taking part at home, or participating on your iPhone or iPod Touch, World Maths Day is a fun and exciting way to get involved in maths. Visit www.worldmathsday.com to register yourself or your school, and get practising!”

Tags: Youth