Soli Deo Gloria Home Educators

Greetings! Soli Deo Gloria Math Club encourages and challenges home schooled students from the Southeast Metro Atlanta area with local and national math competitions.

Competition brings out the best in these students. The focus of the club is not on winning, but on learning new strategies to attack seemingly impossible problems. Sharing these ideas is an integral part of our club – it is the team work aspect that inspires the students to keep trying. America leads the world in creativity, and we seek to draw out the creative nature of mathematical problem solving.

Participation in all events is never required. Family needs must come before outside activities such as this.

Who should participate in which events?

Students in the 6th grade and lower are invited to participate in the MOEMS competitions if they are fluent in their basic facts, are good readers, and are using an above grade level curriculum. These word problems challenge students to think creatively to find the answers.

Middle school students (6-8) should participate in both the MOEMS and MathCounts events as well as the AMC 8, all locally. Only those selected for the MathCounts team will travel for the Chapter competition in February. Those in Pre Algeba and higher can participate in additional competitions, both at the library and traveling.

High school students are very welcome participate in the MOEMS and MathCounts events as well, though their scores will not be used for awards. Many of the high school level events are divided by the student's current math class or grade level. The AMC 10 and 12 and the Mandelbrot are national classroom- administered tests. High school math meets are generally on Saturdays at high schools or colleges. Those at colleges allow the student to become familiar with the campus and location of a potential college match.

We have had some wonderful successes in the past. In 2004-5, we won our chapter in MathCounts and the team advanced to state competition, with one advancing to the National Finals. Last year, we had one student advance to state in MathCounts and our high school team was exceptional. On the Mandelbrot Exams, the high school team was ranked 41st in the Eastern Region in 2005-06. Our ITest Team ranked 46 of 300 nationally, and we had an American Invitational Math Exam Invitee. The JV team placed 4th at the Georgia Tech Math Meet, with one of our students placing first and winning a $1000 scholarship. We had the 10th place winner at the UGA meet, and we placed 3rd as a team at Furman. What should my student study?

I strongly suggest that strong students who are at 8th grade math level and higher study in the Art Of Problem Solving Volume 1 along with the answer key in addition to their regular curriculum. This book is the best starting point for contests, including Math Counts and the high school exams. Once the student has mastered Volume I, it is time for Vol. II. These are available from ArtofProblemsolving.com. If your child is less advanced, your usual curriculum is fine.

When do we start?

We will have a kickoff picnic with an awards presentation recognizing last year's high scorers in September. We will have a couple of problems to warm us up for the fun ahead. We generally meet on various Wednesdays at noon at the local library.

How much will this cost?

No one will be turned away for financial need, but we may cut events for lack of funding. The youngest group competes only in the Mathematical Olympiads for Elementary and Middle Schools (MOEMS), which costs only$ (Error compiling LaTeX. Unknown error_msg)89 for the group for 5 events. Our middles compete in seven events at our meetings and a few at high schools in the Atlanta Area. For this, we must raise at least 60 per student, plus extra for away meets.

The Soli Deo Gloria Math Club is a Local Program Initiative of the Art of Problem Solving Foundation, a 501(C)3 organization. Donations are tax deductible to the extent the law allows. Parents may make donationsas well as grandparents, orthodontists, or other community professionals. A fund raising letter is available for your use.

Soli Deo Gloria – to the Glory of God alone! Ann Dorminy, Coach