Thirty seven Orewa College Year 7 students took part in the Otago Problem Challenge, a nationwide mathematics competition focused on creative problem solving.

Orewa College students recognised for creative problem solving in a year long national mathematics competition

Thirty seven Year 7 students from Orewa College took part in the Otago Problem Challenge this year, a nationwide mathematics competition for Year 7 and 8 students that focuses on creative problem solving.

The challenge runs across the school year, with students completing five problem sheets spaced about a month apart. Each sheet contains five questions to be solved in 30 minutes and encourages the use of strategies such as guessing and checking, drawing diagrams, making lists, spotting patterns, and classifying information.

Students received certificates at participation, merit, or excellence level. Excellence certificates were awarded to Izzy Rees-Hall, Keygan Lee, Daniel van Zyl, Nikolai Glukhov, Sam Cooper, Astin Coulthard, Matt Dodds, Arihaan Gunda, and Lien Hu.

Students who achieve particularly strong results are invited to compete in The Final Challenge. This year, Arihaan Gunda and Lien Hu qualified, with Lien Hu also receiving a $25 book voucher for his performance.

The Otago Problem Challenge supports students to strengthen their mathematical thinking and problem solving skills over time.