Woodlands Academy hosts Mathalon for grade school girls

Nearly 50 seventh- and eighth-grade girls from 13 area schools spent a Saturday morning putting their math skills to the test in creative, problem-solving ways during the Oct. 17 Mathalon at Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart in Lake Forest.

This joint venture of Woodlands' math and admission departments saw participation from the following schools, each sending one or two three-member teams:

• Christian Heritage Academy, Northfield

• East Lake Academy, Lake Forest

• Grayslake Middle School, Grayslake

• Highland Middle School, Libertyville

• Jefferson Middle School, Waukegan

• Lake Bluff Middle School, Lake Bluff

• Nicholas Middle School, Evanston

• Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Glenview

• Quest Academy, Palatine

• Rondout Middle School, Lake Forest

• Sacred Heart Sheridan Road, Chicago

• School of St. Mary, Lake Forest

• St. Gilbert, Grayslake

First place honors went to Christian Heritage Academy with Highland Middle School finishing in second place and Quest Academy Team 1 in third place.

Rounding out the top five were Lake Bluff Middle School in fourth place and Grayslake Middle School in fifth place.

Rocco Gargiulo, Woodlands Academy assistant principal and mathematics department chair, said the teams tackled eight events, none of which were rote paper and pencil drills, with Woodlands students serving as their guides and cheerleaders.

"These events were hands-on, cooperative activities that engaged students to use mathematics in creative, problem solving ways. The events involved mathematical computation, estimation, visual/spatial reasoning, logic and the use of technology," he said.

Woodlands Academy is a Catholic day and boarding college-preparatory high school for young women in grades nine through 12 that promotes academic, artistic and athletic excellence along with global awareness, social responsibility and strong faith.

According to the National Coalition of Girls' Schools, all-girls' schools lead the way in graduating women who become America's scientists, doctors, engineers, designers and inventors. Research shows that girls' school graduates are more likely to consider majoring in math, science and technology and also are more likely to consider engineering careers compared to girls who attend coed schools.

This is the fourth time Woodlands Academy has hosted Mathalon.

For more information about Woodlands Academy, visit www.woodlandsacademy.org.

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