The math team looks a little different this year. In past years, the math team has been incorporated into the advanced math classes. However, this year, the math team is an extracurricular that students can participate in during their study.
With the new AP pre-cal class, there is a new curriculum that differs from the years past advanced pre-cal class. It is difficult to incorporate math team concepts into classes when there is already a set curriculum in place.
Instead of the math team being a part of math classes, the math team is now open to anyone who would like to come, even if it’s just for the day.
The change has created a little bit of a different environment, according to Luke Binet, a member of the math team.
“It’s more nerdy, but that can really foster a more positive environment for interacting with the questions and answering questions,” said Binet. “Everyone is there to learn about math. No one is getting judged because we’re all passionate about it.”
Normally the math team will work through a worksheet while talking about it and do a few practice problems. There is never any homework required.
Veteran calculus teacher and math team coach Mark Hellmers says, “It’s for students who are interested in math and being challenged to maybe get a little ahead in the class they are in and learn some tricks and things. It’s fun to sometimes solve problems. It’s fun to sometimes figure stuff out.”
There are three separate teams for each of the age groups. Freshmen are part of the geometry team, sophomores are part of the algebra II team, and juniors and seniors are a part of the comprehensive math team which is a combination of geometry, algebra II and calculus.
This year, there are fewer people on the math team as it is not incorporated into the advanced math classes.
“We have fewer students involved, but anyone can still participate and we are able to be more focused,” Hellemrs said.
The new math team helps people with other extracurriculars be able to get involved more easily without having to worry about conflicts.
“I think we are able to get some students who were worried about committing time, to make time for other things,” Hellmers said. Now people who are involved in other things don’t experience the pressure of having to attend all tournaments.
Hellmers also hopes there is a little less stress involved since the math tournament tests aren’t affecting your grade, as they have in the past. He believes some people might think being involved in the math team this year requires a lot of extra work. However, there aren’t any assignments, tests or grades.
He believes the students involved are really enjoying it, but Hellmers wishes more people would come and try it out.
“There might be some students who don’t understand how exactly the program is working this year,” Hellmers said.
The comprehensive team meets on Mondays and Thursdays. Algebra II meets Tuesdays and Thursdays and the geometry team meets Wednesdays and Fridays.
The math team meets 5th period during studies A, C and D. “Anyone interested is more than welcome to come and it doesn’t matter if you haven’t been attending or can’t attend regularly,” Hellmers said.
