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The following is a list, though not exclusive, of academic challenges at
local, state, and national levels in which schools may elect to participate. Contact the Talent Development teacher in your
elementary school or call the main office in your secondary school to obtain specific information. Brief descriptions and
website links are included.
24 Game - Grades 3-8
“Knowing the answer is always 24 alleviates a
classic brand of math anxiety—getting the right answer—and
instead puts the emphasis on the process and patterns, what I
like to call ‘the method behind the math.’ ”
Robert Sun, Inventor of the 24 Game
In Anne Arundel County, this popular game of
mathematical computation, has students competing in one of three
levels: Grade 3; grades 4/5; grades 6-8. School winners compete
in regional competitions held in April, from which the top
performers advance to the countywide competition in May.
For more information about the 24 Game and
First in Math, visit
http://www.24game.com
By Kids For Kids (BKFK) - Grades 3-8
By Kids For Kids involves an inventive thinking process that incorporates classroom
learning into real world applications. Students build upon their creativity and inquisitive thinking in design and discovery
to become inventors and consumers.
Maryland is the first to endorse the program statewide; activities have been aligned with the Maryland Content Standards.
Its corporate partners include Xerox, G.E. Scholastic, and Mattel. Special events and media will promote design competitions,
marketing the student's invention/product, and will assist in getting a patent for the winners.
This program, free of cost, is open to all Maryland students who are motivated to create ideas and inventions that other
kids can use. BKFK provides the materials: coaching tools for teachers; a Toolkit that includes the Teacher Manual and student
workbooks; and online support. The BKFK website gives more information on membership, current and past winners and their
inventions, as well as an historical snapshot of young inventors of the past. Go to www.bkfk.com
Continental Math League (CML), Inc. - Grades 3-9
The Continental Math League invites students all grade levels
who have above average mental mathematical skills and reading skills. Participation will demonstrate progress in the art of
problem-solving and analytical reasoning capabilities.
Students can begin developing their ability to solve problems at an early age. In grades 2-3 they will participate in
three meets with six questions per meet. In the Pythagorean or Euclidean Divisions students in grades 4-9 will
participate in increasingly difficult meets.
Books covering sample challenging math questions for each grade level and division are available online
here. The website also provides information of the National Science
League, the National Social Studies League, the National Geography Challenge, the National Language Arts League, the Java
Computer Contest, and National Current Events League.
MESA (Mathematics, Engineering and Science Achievement)
Maryland MESA is a structured, K-12, precollege program designed
to prepare students for academic and professional careers in
mathematics, engineering, science, and technology. The program's
goals are to 1) increase the number of engineers, scientists,
mathematicians, and related professionals at technical and
management levels, and 2) serve as a driving force in
encouraging and assisting minorities and females in achieving
success in these fields. “We continue to strive towards our
vision of providing a superior education process that enables
all Maryland students to achieve and contribute to their full
potential. We accomplish these goals by partnering with school
systems, colleges and universities, industry and business,
government, community organizations, families, and alumni. These
partnerships provide enriching activities and programs for
students in the fields of mathematics, engineering, science, and
technology.” ~Maryland MESA
MESA is a competition-based club for elementary through high
school students, with a focus on underrepresented groups. Students research, plan, and create projects ranging from storybook
theme park rides to trebuchets. Teachers lead discussions and learning activities which teach skills necessary for success in
college.
For more information, visit their website at
http://www.jhuapl.edu/mesa/
Destination ImagiNation Grades K-12
Each year, five Team Challenges are unveiled to an anxiously
awaiting audience of more than 400,000 kids worldwide. Written by volunteers who are well versed in Destination ImagiNation's
wacky brand of curriculum, the challenges are carefully concocted brainteasers that challenge kids by purposefully stimulating
the different senses we use to learn. An additional Team Challenge written especially for the Primary Level team has also been
developed.
Teams of up to seven members choose one Team Challenge and spend several months perfecting their solutions. The culmination
of the year is a series of Tournaments, where Teams demonstrate their unique solutions to teams of Appraisers. Preview a brief
summary of all the Team Challenges here.
Complete challenges are available online. To download them click on any of the titles below. You will be asked to create a
login to the DI-ONLINE system. Once you have created a login, you will be able to download the files. All information you
provide will be kept within the organization. It will be used to allow us to provide you with registration, Tournament and other
information. For more information please read our privacy policy.
Only AACPS
Schools teams who have registered their team(s) through the
Advanced Co-Curricular Programs Office may request financial
assistance for Global competitions.
Robotics: FIRST LEGO League (FLL) - Ages 6-9
and Junior FIRST LEGO League (JFLL) - Ages 9-14
The FIRST LEGO League (FLL), considered the "little
league" of the FIRST Robotics Competition, is the result of a partnership between FIRST and the LEGO Group. FLL extends the
FIRST concept of inspiring and celebrating science and technology to children aged 9-14, using real-world context and hands-on
experimentation.
With the help of LEGO MINDSTORMS Robotics Invention System technology, young participants can build a robot and compete in
an event designed for their age group. Students use elements such as sensors, motors, and gears to gain hands-on experience in
engineering and computer programming principles as they construct and program their unique robot inventions.
The Junior FIRST LEGO League (JFLL) piloted this competition during the 2005 season. These students aged 6-9 were
introduced to core concepts of all FIRST programs that introduced children to science, technology, and engineering. The teams
and an adult mentor received a mini challenge based on the FLL research project. The students spent a month exploring,
investigating, designing, and building a model made with LEGO bricks on a 15 x 15 base plate.
Projects culminate in an official tournament which includes time to meet with reviewers to share their experiences and
receive recognition for their efforts.
Maryland / National History Day - Grades 6-12
Through the National History Day contest, students in grades
6-12 engage in discovery and interpretation of historical topics related to an annual theme. In the process, they hone their
talents and produce creative and scholarly projects in the form of exhibits, documentaries, historical papers, or performances.
After a series of district and state contests, the program culminates with a national competition at the University of Maryland
in College Park each June.
For more information visit their web page at
www.nationalhistoryday.org.
The Stock Market Game - Grades 4-12
The Stock Market Game gives students the chance to invest a
hypothetical $100,00 in a real-time portfolio. In grades 4 and 5, students use the SMG Program to reinforce math skills,
such as converting fractions to decimals. As students buy and sell investments in their fantasy portfolios, they make practical
use of cross-curricular skills and knowledge in areas such as math, history, civics, and language skills. They learn economic
concepts in context, such as the value of investing and saving for the future.
AACPS Schools teams are requested to alert the Advanced
Co-Curricular Programs Office of their participation. Several
teachers have requested substitute time to attend year end
awards ceremonies with their winning teams.
For further information on materials, resources
and registration go to www.smg2000.org.
Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.
--Nelson Mandela
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