Kids Going Crazy Over Math - Googol Power’s “Crazy4Math” Online Contest Reaches the World
What started out as a contest among local children has quickly grown into an international network of children sharing math ideas and an exciting competition that boosts math skills. To enter, a child simply has to describe how he or she uses math as part of everyday activities. The purpose is to generate learning ideas for families everywhere to use at no cost.
(PRWEB) May 6, 2005 -- What started out as a contest among local children in
a Vancouver suburb has quickly grown into an international network of children
sharing math ideas and an exciting competition that boosts math skills. Susan
Jarema, producer of the Googol Power Math Series, initially set up the
Crazy4Math Contest to help families in her neighborhood enjoy math outside of
school. Then she took it online. “Since then it has taken on a life of its own,”
says Jarema, also known by children in her community as The Learning Lady. “I
hadn’t expected so much interest. Now I’m getting emails from families all over
the world wanting to participate. It’s wonderful to see such excitement about
math!”
To enter the Crazy4Math Contest, a child simply has to describe
how he or she uses math as part of everyday activities. The purpose is to
generate hundreds, thousands – who knows, maybe millions! – of learning ideas
for families to use at no cost. Participants will be helping to create the
largest list of "Crazy4Math" ideas "By Kids - 4 Kids".
Jarema’s two young
children convinced her to ask their two favorite authors of mathematical books
to participate. David M. Schwartz (author of How Much Is a Million?, G is for
Googol, If You Hopped Like a Frog and many other well-known children’s books
with mathematical themes) and Stuart J. Murphy (author of the best-selling
MathStart® Series) were both eager to lend their expertise and enthusiasm. “My
son was hoping he’d get their autographs,” laughs Jarema, “but for me the thrill
was to meet two people whose books have helped my kids get excited about
numbers.”
“The joy in math is seeing how we use it both in everyday life
and in answering the fascinating, mind-boggling questions we can ask just for
fun,” says author David Schwartz, who has been asking and answering mathematical
questions since childhood. “When I speak at schools, I tell kids that they will
have all kinds of great thoughts and ideas, so long as they wonder about the
world. I like to say that I think wondering is wonderful. I am thrilled that
this contest will encourage even more kids to wonder – and to use
math.”
Stuart Murphy also knows the importance of math. “People have
often heard the phrase ‘Kids who are read to become better readers,” he says. “I
contend the same is true with math! When parents talk with kids about math in
everyday situations, those kids become better at it. Those opportunities come
about naturally and are part of how parents can help their kids be better at
math.”
Jarema has noticed a trend in Canada towards a fascination with
math since the release of her first album “Multiplication Vacation”. “The fact
that our music group Googol Power was voted by fans as Canada’s Favorite
Children’s Group at the Canadian Independent Music Awards is a good sign!” says
Jarema. “Parents today realize that math and problem-solving skills are critical
in this rapidly changing world of ours. If we can make learning fun for our
children they will gain confidence and be better prepared for the future.”
“There is no limit to the ways math can be used and the places it can be
found,” says Schwartz who, in addition to writing books, publishes the national
monthly magazine column Math Moments™ (also available online at www.davidschwartz.com/mathmoments.htm). “Cooking, gardening,
travel, hobbies, sports, games, art, shopping – you name it! They are all fun
and they all have wonderful math learning opportunities for families to enjoy
together.” The Crazy4Math Contest will ensure that families will see those many
possibilities.
Children can enter the Crazy4Math Contest online (with the
help of their parents) and enter a description of how they use math in an
activity they enjoy. Contestants may use words, drawings, diagrams or photos to
describe their idea. The deadline for online entries is July 15th,2005.
Semi-finalists will be announced July 25th and online voting ends August 10th.
The final winners will be chosen online by math fans all over the world. Winners
will be announced August 15th, 2005. Entry information can be found at www.crazy4math.com.
Educational prizes have been
donated from our main sponsors: David M. Schwartz, Stuart J. Murphy, Learning
Resources, The Learning Lady, Genie Creations, and Googol Learning. Visit the
contest website to find out more about participating or learn more about other
stores, organizations, learning websites and media who promote learning for
children. Googol Power is currently working on a new song - “Crazy 4 Math” - to
be released at the end of the contest and provided free to everyone who
participates.
Electronic Media Kit available at http://www.googolpower.com/media.php
Googol Power website
www.googolpower.com
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Source : http://www.prweb.com/releases/2005/5/prweb236876.htm