Gold Level Guidelines

Gold Level Guidelines GOLD LEVEL STATUS is the highest honor in the National Math Club, awarded to clubs whose members complete a challenging, creative, team-oriented project. To be eligible for Gold Level Status in the National Math club, your math club must complete the 2016-2017 Gold Level Project, with a minimum number of students contributing to its completion. The minimum number of participants is based on the total number of students in your school/orgainization/group. Total # of 6th 8th Graders in Entire School/Organization Minimum # of Participants Needed for Gold Level 100+ 12 50 99 8 49 or fewer 4 2016-2017 Gold Level Project: Math Scavenger Hunt Working together, your club members will have a great time and see that this is as easy as 1, 2, 3, 4. step 1: Locate and photograph examples of any 12 math terms in the Scavenger Hunt Terms List (page 86); 2 step 3: Develop a math problem related to each of the objects or scenes you photograph; Write a comprehensive solution to each math problem; and 4 Produce a creative final presentation of your photographs, problems and solutions. GOLD LEVEL CLUB 2016-2017 2016 2017 MATHCOUNTS Club Activity Book 83

1 A More Detailed Look at the Project Locate and photograph examples of any 12 math terms from the Scavenger Hunt Terms List (page 86). While the hope is that examples of all of the terms can be found in your school, if you would like to widen the search area to your town or city (or use only places outside of your school), that is at the Club Leader s discretion. Completion of the Gold Level Project requires the use of only 12 of the terms on the Scavenger Hunt Terms List, though clubs certainly are encouraged to find examples of all of them. If students want to be creative with their photography, an additional part of the project could be trying to capture the item in a photograph while not making it obvious to an outside observer what the object in the photograph is. Trying to identify the object could be part of the challenge to someone looking at the final presentation. (If it s not clear what an object is, there should be a place in the presentation where the objects are identified.) 2 Develop a math problem related to each of the objects or scenes you photograph. Encourage students to be creative with their math problems. Perhaps ask students to share the problems with you as they write them. That way, you can ask students to make any necessary adjustments before they write solutions or include the problems in the final project. 3 Write a comprehensive solution to each math problem. Solutions should be written so that a person who is unsure of how to solve the problem would be able to follow all of the steps and solve a similar problem after reading the solution. Students should edit each other s solutions to the problems. A student who is unsure of how to solve the original problem would be the best reviewer! It would be best if the person writing the solution is different from the person who wrote the problem. The solution s author would be in a better position to notice if necessary information has been left out, if there is conflicting information or if the problem is not clearly written. 4 Produce a final presentation of your objects, problems and solutions. This is where your students can really be creative! There are many forms your club s final presentation could take. The only requirements are that: each of the items mentioned in steps 1-3 is included for 12 terms; the solutions are separate from the problems in other words, a person should be able to see the math problems without seeing the solutions; and evidence of the final project (a copy of it or one or more photographs of it) can be sent to the MATHCOUNTS national office electronically or by mail. Some possible presentation formats are (1) a PowerPoint file (the solution to each math problem is on a slide that is separate from the math problem itself), (2) a booklet with each term s photo and math problem on a page and the math problem s solution in a separate document or on the final pages of the booklet, (3) a play or skit that includes all of the necessary information and (4) a set of posters in which each poster shows a different term s photo, description and math problem, and the solution to the math problem is on the back of the poster. These are only some possible ideas. We want students to be creative and to have fun with this project. The aim is that the final presentation could be used as an activity in which other students can learn about the math terms on the Scavenger Hunt. 84 2016 2017 MATHCOUNTS Club Activity Book

Example Presentation Format Diameter The diameter of a circle is a segment that connects two points of the circle and goes through the center of the circle. Spheres also have diameters. Diameter also can refer to the length of that segment. d Consider the top view of a basketball going through a basketball hoop. What is the approximate ratio of the diameter of a typical basketball to the diameter of a standard basketball rim? A. 9:10 B. 4:5 C. 2:3 D. 1:2 SOLUTION The interior diameter of a basketball rim is a standard 18 inches. The circumference of NBA and WNBA basketballs must be within ranges when inflated, rather than being an exact amount. (Interesting!) We will use a circumference of 29.5 inches, which is the NBA minimum. The circumference of the ball (or sphere) is the product of its diameter (d) and, so d = 29.5 inches. Dividing both sides by, we have d 9.390 inches. This results in the ratio 9.390/18 0.522 52%. A. 9:10 (or 90%) B. 4:5 (or 80%) C. 2:3 (or 67%) D. 1:2 (or 50%) It seems that successfully shooting a basketball should not be so difficult! 9.4 18 2016 2017 MATHCOUNTS Club Activity Book 85

What will students demonstrate while completing this activity? This activity was chosen because of the flexibility it gives your students flexibility in which terms to select; flexibility in how to work together and divide responsibilities; flexibility in developing math problems; and flexibility in choosing the final presentation format. Additionally, in order to successfully complete this project, students will need to demonstrate: Understanding Students will need to truly understand each of their 12 terms in order to find examples of them in everyday surroundings and create related math problems; Effective Communication Students must write solutions that are thorough and easy to understand; Ability to Work as a Team Students will work as a team of at least 12 members to complete the project, unless your school/ organization/group size has different eligibility requirements (see page 83); and Creativity Students will complete a final presentation using their creativity and imagination. What will the Club Leader get out of this activity? A Great Presentation for Future Clubs and Classes While working on this activity, ideally the math club will be creating a great activity or presentation for you to use with your classroom students or future math clubs; and A Better Understanding of How Your Students Think In this activity, your students will talk about the math terms in a different manner than they otherwise might in math class. Hearing their conversations will give you a deeper understanding of possible areas of confusion about these terms, and you will possibly gain better ways of introducing the terms and related topics to future students. acute angle average circumference congruent consecutive integers diameter Scavenger Hunt Terms List dilation fraction frustum hexagon middle obtuse angle parallel parallelogram pattern prism pyramid quadrant ratio reflection rotation sector symmetry tessellation translation unit of measure volume 86 2016 2017 MATHCOUNTS Club Activity Book

Gold Level Project and Gold Level Status FAQ Can my club apply for Gold Level Status without first achieving Silver Level? No. Only Silver Level clubs are eligible to apply for Gold Level Status. However, you may submit the Silver Level Application, Gold Level Application and Gold Level Project evidence together. Can my club start working on the Gold Level Project before we achieve Silver Level Status? Yes. Clubs can start working on the project at any time during the program year to complete the project by the Gold Level deadline. For example, one or more of the meetings you record on your Silver Level Application may be (a) meeting(s) during which your club worked on the Gold Level Project. Can my club do a different project and have it count as a Gold Level Project? No. Although your club can do other projects throughout the program year, only the 2016-2017 Gold Level Project will be accepted with Gold Level Applications. Do the students listed on the Gold Level Application need to have participated in all aspects of the Gold Level Project? No, but the required minimum number of students need to have contributed in some way to the project. We leave this to the discretion of the club leader. For example, some of your club members may work on collecting the data, while other members of the club may be better at creating the graphs. My club has more than 12 students, but there is room for only 12 student signatures on the Gold Level Application. What should I do? We only need 12 student signatures (even if more students worked on the project), but you may attach additional copies of student signatures to your application, if desired. Do I need to submit anything aside from the Gold Level Application? Yes. You must submit evidence that the Gold Level Project was completed. The type of evidence submitted will depend on the final format of your club s project. Applications without this evidence included will not be considered for Gold Level Status. What is considered adequate evidence of the completion of the Gold Level Project? The form of evidence will depend on the form of the club s final presentation. This could include a physical or electronic copy of the project. You can find detailed information about what specifically your club should include with your Gold Level Application on pg. 84. If you need help determining how to document your club s project please call the national office at (703) 299-9006. How will my club s project be evaluated? There will be no evaluation other than whether the club s project is complete and satisfies all of the requirements outlined on page 83. When are the application and project due? For your club to receive all prizes, as well as entry into the Gold Level Drawing, MATHCOUNTS must receive your application and evidence by March 24, 2017. No applications or projects will be accepted after May 26, 2017, and prizes cannot be guaranteed after March 24, 2017. 2016 2017 MATHCOUNTS Club Activity Book 87

What is the best way to send my application and Gold Level Project evidence? The application and evidence of the Gold Level Project should be received by MATHCOUNTS together. Therefore, if you are sending an electronic copy of the project, please include a scanned copy of the application. If you are mailing in a copy of the project, please include your application in that mailing (and keep a photocopy of what you mail). How long does it take for MATHCOUNTS to process a Gold Level Application? It takes up to 10 business days for MATHCOUNTS to process a Gold Level Application once it is received. If you do not hear from MATHCOUNTS about the status of your Gold Level Application within two weeks of submitting it, please contact the national office to make sure your application and any accompanying materials were received. What will my club receive if it attains Gold Level Status? There are many forms of recognition and prizes! Club recognition on the Gold Level Clubs List on the MATHCOUNTS website. Certificates for your club members (template emailed to the club leader in PDF form). Gold Level Trophy (in lieu of the Silver Level Trophy; mailed by June 2017).* Gold Level Banner (mailed by June 2017).* Entry into Gold Level Drawing for a $500 Gift Card (5 winning clubs are selected).* Entry into Gold Level Grand Prize Drawing for a $500 Gift Card and an all-expenses-paid trip for 4 students and the club leader to attend the 2017 Raytheon MATHCOUNTS National Competition in Orlando, FL. (1 winning club is selected).* *Trophy, banner and entry into drawings guaranteed only if club s Gold Level Application is received by March 24, 2017. When will the drawing winners be announced? Drawing winners will be announced on the MATHCOUNTS website by April 28, 2017. 88 2016 2017 MATHCOUNTS Club Activity Book

Congratulations to Hawthorne Middle School! The 2015-16 Gold Level Grand Prize Winner was the math club from Hawthorne Middle School in Pocatello, Idaho. The Club Leader, Michael McFadden (pictured third from left) and 4 students won an all-expenses-paid trip to attend the 2016 Raytheon MATHCOUNTS National Competition in Washington, DC. 2016 2017 MATHCOUNTS Club Activity Book 89

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2016-2017 GOLD LEVEL APPLICATION PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY. SCHOOL/ORG/GROUP NAME: CLUB LEADER NAME: SCHOOL/ORG/GROUP ADDRESS: CLUB LEADER PHONE: CITY, STATE, ZIP: CLUB LEADER E-MAIL: In order to achieve Gold Level status, your club must complete the Gold Level Project, and a minimum number of students must have contributed to its completion. For schools/organizations/groups with a total of 100 students or more in grades 6-8, the minimum number of participants needed to satisfy the Silver and Gold Level requirements is 12. For schools/organizations/groups with a total of 50-99 students in grades 6-8, the minimum number of participants needed to satisfy the Silver and Gold Level requirements is 8. For schools/organizations/groups with fewer than a total of 50 students in grades 6-8, the minimum number of participants needed to satisfy the Silver and Gold Level requirements is 4. Does your school/organization/group have fewer than a total of 100 students in grades 6-8? No Yes If yes, what is the total number of students in grades 6-8 in your school/organization/group? Signatures of Club Members Who Contributed to the Gold Level Project 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Evidence of Completed Gold Level Project Provided: (check all that apply) Electronic copy Photographs Physical copy Video Other: (You must include evidence that this project was completed in order for your application to be considered.) AWARDS DEADLINE *Received by March 24, 2017 Eligible for all Gold Level awards and prizes, as well as entry into the Gold Level and Grand Prize Drawings. Gold Level awards cannot be guaranteed for applications and projects received after March 24, 2017. No Gold Level applicaitons or projects will be accepted after May 26, 2017. HERE S HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR FORM E-mail as scanned PDF or JPEG attachment to info@mathcounts.org Mail to MATHCOUNTS Foundation The National Math Club - Gold Level 1420 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22314 Faxed applications and projects will not be accepted. 10. 11. 12. By signing and submitting this application, I, the Club Leader, attest that each of the club members listed on this application contributed to the Gold Level Project. SIGN HERE Club Leader Signature: Date:

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