112 students, representing all eight private and public high schools across the Cayman Islands put their mathematical abilities to the test at this years’ Minds Inspired Mathematics Challenge on Thursday 14 and Friday 15 April in the Sir Vassel Johnson Hall at the University College of the Cayman Islands.

In its fourth year, the Minds Inspired Mathematics Challenge expanded to a two-day event and now features a junior and senior challenge. The junior challenge, for students in Years 7 through 9 (grades 6 to 8) attracted participants from seven of the eight high schools; while the senior challenge, for students in Years 10 through 13 (grades 9 to 12) had participation from all of Cayman’s eight high schools plus UCCI’s Year 13 dual entry students.

“Minds Inspired is about finding ways to excite Cayman’s young people about STEM subjects, learning and education,” said Mark VanDevelde, CEO at Dart. “Whether through the high school or university scholarships; the work experience programmes or the maths challenge — our commitment to providing these exceptional young people with meaningful educational experiences is validated by the success of events such as this one.”

The focus on math and science is rooted in Dart’s belief that these two subjects are fundamental building blocks for both academic and career success and the Minds Inspired Mathematics Challenge embodies the Dart family’s approach to, and philosophy of, pursuing educational excellence in the STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics) sciences. For more information on the Minds Inspired Education Programme visit, www.mindsinspired.ky.

“This is a great event,” added Glenda McTaggart, Manger, Education Programmes at Dart Enterprises Ltd. “The students are challenged individually, and then they also enjoy the opportunity to collaborate with students from other schools which is provided by the team events”.

In the junior challenge, the overall champion Kiara Brown from the Layman E. Scott High School also took home the year 8 award. The Year 7 and Year 9 awards went to Liam Sinclair (Cayman Prep and High School) and Samruddi Tagalpallewar (St. Ignatius Catholic High School) respectively.

The team winners were John-David Reddyhough of St. Ignatius Catholic High School, Liam Sinclair of Cayman Prep and High School and Adrian Powery of John Grey High School while the school project winner was John Gray High School with their math inspired game Jengamathics.

Following a tie-breaker, Matthew Penner from Cayman Prep and High School was named overall champion and the Year 10 winner for the senior challenge. The Year 11, Year 12 and Year 13 awards went to Leann Mcleod (Cayman Prep and High School), Erik Bjerhkolt (Cayman International School) and Natalie Fleury (Cayman International School) respectively. Minds Inspired Scholar Ethan Whittaker (Cayman Prep and High School), Frank Noguera (Triple C School), Gabriela Ritch (Layman E. Scott High School and Jacie Mascarenhas (Triple C School) were the senior challenge team winners.

The overall champions were awarded $250 Camana Bay gift cards and the honour of having their names permanently affixed to the Mathematics Challenge trophy; year group winners and winning mixed team received $100 Camana Bay gift cards and medals. The winning junior challenge project group received Regal Cinema movie package including passes and refreshments.

Students and organisers finished the event with an awards ceremony to celebrate the success of the winners, and of all student participants whose involvement in the 2016 Minds Inspired Mathematics Challenge is testament to their strength and knowledge of the subject.

“This year, the wider cross section of grade levels, from Year 7 through 13 showcased a high level of academic excellence. Seeing students get excited about mathematics and enjoying the opportunity to come together with like-minded students from across public and private high schools to collaborate and compete is remarkable,” concluded Mrs. McTaggart.