Schools Maths Olympics

Each year, as part of the University of Melbourne's Discovery Day, MUMS holds an event known as the Schools Maths Olympics. This competition provides an excellent opportunity for students to apply problem-solving skills and enjoy themselves. Further, as part of Discovery Day, students have a chance to learn more about the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, and the university as a whole.

In the Schools Maths Olympics, teams of students from secondary schools compete in an exciting and fast-moving event that combines physical and intellectual elements, in a fun and encouraging atmosphere. Each team is split into two pairs, and a runner. The runner ferries questions between each pair and a marker. The problems are based more on lateral thinking than manual calculation. They require no knowledge of mathematics above year 10 level. The competition lasts for approximately one hour.

Prizes will be awarded to the highest scoring teams. The top five finishing teams will be invited to compete in the Melbourne University Maths Olympics, a major annual university event, similar in style and involving university students and academic staff.

This year the Schools Maths Olympics will be held on Sunday 17^th August at the University of Melbourne. It is not necessary for students to wear school uniform.

We are inviting secondary schools to form a team of five interested students and return an entry form. Team members need not be year 12 students. The entry fee is $25 per team. Once we have received entry forms we will send out further details about payment. As places are limited we would encourage interested teams to return the entry form as soon as possible.