An intra-school math competition is a great way for talented students to gain recognition and see how they stack up against their peers. It also allows them to look good on their college applications, regardless of whether they win it or not.
The thing is, if you want your students to be enthusiastic about the school contest, then you must find ways to spread the word and let any potential participants know about it. So, without further ado, let’s talk about the best contest promotion strategies you should try!
Promoting an Intra-School Math Contest
When it comes to promoting a contest, the first thing you should consider is when to hold the contest. Picking the right timing will allow you to capture the attention of your targeted students and give you the opportunity to score maximum registrations.
So what is the best time of the year to promote your intra-school math contest? Well, there is actually no hard and fast answer to this. You should, however, figure out the appropriate time as soon as possible, given that it should not conflict with your school’s academic calendar.
The thing about setting up the schedule for your math contest is that you generally need to give enough time for your students to prepare. Also, speaking of time, the rule of thumb is that the bigger the prize, the longer the promotion time should be.
Prize can be one of the most essential factors to consider when you are holding a contest, whatever kind it is. If you think that the prize is a valuable one, then you should use it as a way to lure potential participants in, such as by displaying it on your contest flyers.
A valuable prize does not have to be something expensive, though. A couple of VIP tickets for a basketball game, for example, should be enough to excite your students, all while keeping you from making a big hole in your wallet.
Also, don’t forget to print out some nicely decorated certificates. They are important for a school contest because they provide you with a way to show appreciation to your students and they can also serve as proof that your students have participated in the event.
Most importantly, you should also consider using different types of advertising channels. The best way to deal with it is by using as many channels as possible that can be in line with your promotional goals and budget.
Social media is likely the best tool to use in your intra-school math contest case. Ideally, you should have access to your school’s social media account so you can post about the event and answer any questions related to it.
If you want to go down the more traditional route, you can also print out some posters or pamphlets and stick them on several corners of your school. These might seem old school, but they can still be effective in grabbing students’ attention.
Why Schools Should Have an Intra-School Math Contest
Many parents believe that math questions found in a contest simply include concepts that are above grade level, but this is not entirely true. While some concepts are only a bit harder than what the students face in class, the biggest difference lies in the problem-solving process, which really puts students’ understanding of different concepts to the test.
Participating in an intra-school math competition also allows students to be more creative. While we rarely talk about the way we can combine math and creativity in our daily lives, the questions found in such a competition force students to think out of the usual way and be inventive with their minds.
Ultimately, an intra-school math competition will also change your students’ perspective on the subject. Those who have participated in one will understand that solving math problems with different difficulty levels can actually be an exciting process that delivers them a different sense of fulfillment and accomplishment in the end.
Last but not least, taking part in a math competition, even when it is just at the intra-school level, makes your students’ resumes look better. It tells the admission officer that your students are serious and interested in this subject, especially if they are applying to a school with an emphasis on STEM.
The Takeaway
Pointing out the talent of your students and giving them the appreciation they deserve is a great thing to do as a teacher, especially if you teach math. If you have students who love this subject, it is important that you provide them with a way to hone their skills.
By participating in an intra-school math competition, your students will have the chance to show off their valuable skills. They will also be able to see how good are their analytical thinking and critical thinking skills, which are applicable in various ways, both in and out of school.