Students Shine in MEI Maths Competition
Coventry College’s resitting Maths GCSE students have taken part in an exciting and challenging nationwide event—the Maths Education Innovation (MEI) Competition—showcasing both their resilience and enthusiasm for the subject.
The competition, with over 30,000 entries, provided a unique opportunity for students to demonstrate their skills, with over 100 students at the college qualifying for the second round after a thrilling first round of qualifiers.
The first round of the competition was held in the form of an engaging Kahoot challenge, where all participating students battled it out to secure a spot in the next round. The top scoring teams from this round were able to advance, with 100 students making the cut and setting the stage for the next phase of the competition.
Round two of the competition was set to be even more intense, combining both a Kahoot challenge and a Tarsia puzzle challenge. The Tarsia puzzle, a complex yet rewarding task, tested the students’ ability to think critically and logically while the Kahoot challenge added an interactive quiz element to the day.
The stakes were high, with the top six scoring students from the second round earning a spot in the semi-finals, which will take place at Solihull College. The excitement was palpable as the students prepared to demonstrate their mathematical talents in front of their peers, teachers, and a number of key sponsors.
The event was made possible with the generous support of five local sponsors, who not only helped host the event but also kindly donated £50 vouchers for the winning teams. The sponsors included The Imagineering Foundation, Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, Medwell Hyde Ltd, Careers Seekers Direct, and Derrick Willer MBE.
Representatives from these organisations were present on the day to show their support and present awards to the winners. Gurprit Singh from the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, Bob Shanks from the Imagineering Foundation, and Derrick Willer MBE were on hand to celebrate the students’ achievements and present the awards.
The competition day was made even more special with a visit from BBC Coventry and Warwickshire. Richard Williams, a radio host from the BBC station, interviewed the students before the event, adding an extra layer of excitement and anticipation to the day. The students spoke with enthusiasm about their love for maths and their excitement to participate in such a competitive event.
Maths student Hope spoke to Richard about her tactics, “My tactics are to be confident and go in with my head held high, the outcome will be, what it will be.”
By the end of the day, six teams had emerged victorious, securing their place in the semi-finals at Solihull College. These students are now looking forward to showcasing their mathematical skills in what promises to be a thrilling conclusion to the competition.
Coventry College is incredibly proud of its students, who have displayed impressive levels of resilience, enthusiasm, and skill throughout the competition. The event highlighted not only their mathematical abilities but also their teamwork, problem-solving, and determination.
Maths teacher Matt Kendrick spoke on the importance of making maths engaging, “we want to make maths fun, interesting, and exciting. A competition always helps that. It gives another avenue to maths that isn’t just sitting in the classroom.”
The college is excited to see how the final rounds unfold and wishes all participants the best of luck as they continue their journey in the MEI Maths Competition. This event serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of fostering a love for learning and mathematics in young minds, and Coventry College is thrilled to support students as they reach for new academic heights.
