Jointly by:
Michael Ng Choon Hau (Sr1A)
Thian Yi-Ming (Sr1ScD)
Once the clock struck 7:30 a.m. on the 18th of May, 2019, all Senior 1 students lined up in groups of 6 to go downstairs to take part in the Math Station Games. There were a total of 4 different stations held in four different areas, namely the canteen, ball courts, Block A car park and the chemistry lab.
We started off with the very first station game, “Dice Calculation”, it was held at the canteen. To begin with, the volunteer threw two dice and the product of those two numbers was the target answer. After that, four dice were thrown and participants would have to form an equation using the four numbers shown to get an answer as close as possible to the target answer. Students had loads of fun brainstorming wild and bizarre equations and showed lots of teamwork by sharing answers with other teams.
The second station was called “Number Transfer” and it was held at the ball courts. The first participant would have to memorise an equation then recite it up till the final participant, who has to write down the equation and calculate the answer. The participants rotates each turn to make sure everyone gets a chance to play different roles. Lots of determination were shown from the participants frantically trying to convey the equation the best they can. Although not many got the answer right, the effort is what counts in the end.
The Block A car park houses the third station called “Collapsed 2D Maze”. Teams would have to memorise a maze in a minute and then try drawing it down to a piece of graph paper from memory as quickly as they can, going on for 5 rounds. This surely is a test of the students’ memorisation limits due to the complexity of the maze. However, with good teamwork and a bit of tricks up their sleeves, the students managed to pull through.
“Financial Overlord” was the fourth station held at the chemistry lab. Translating real life finances and stock markets into a game, participants would have to take their chance at investing and withdrawing to gain the most profits at the end of the game. Many business savvy minds were tested with the unpredictable fluctuations of the market, raising and lowering the costs of their stocks. Participants surely had lots of fun debating between the amounts to bet on the market.
In the end, the games were a total success. Many students expressed that they had really bonded with their peers at the end, their interest in math were piqued as well. Although some students were not able to play, they were still content helping out in this event. Overall, we were satisfied and happy with the outcome.