The search for DFW’s best young mathematicians continues
Ask students at Bedford Heights Elementary if they will ever need to use the math they learn in school outside of the classroom and you will definitely hear a “yes!” On Wednesday, Thomas Haak, James Kebaso, Allison Alcala and Abby Eads from Bedford Heights Elementary won the regional championship for the 2nd annual Explore Horizons Young Mathematicians’ Competition. These students will compete in the Championship Round against other schools from across Dallas-Fort Worth on December 2 at the Explore Horizons Tutoring and Enrichment Center in Colleyville.
The Bedford Heights Elementary team competed against 15 other student teams.
Explore Horizons, a tutoring & enrichment center with locations throughout North Texas, wants to challenge students to continue to learn outside of the classroom by applying valuable problem solving skills not taught within the traditional school curriculum and applying them to unique “real world” situations. Utilizing these key skills gives children and schools an opportunity to stretch talented young mathematicians beyond the classroom to prepare them for futures in math, science, engineering and more.
“Every day we hear students saying that they don’t see the point in math, that it’s difficult, it’s boring and it’s not important. We wanted to show children how fun, applicable, collaborative and interesting math can be,” said Belinda Southgate, Head of U.S. Marketing and Sales for Explore Horizons. “At Explore Horizons, we love helping gifted and talented young students learn vital problem solving skills to use in high school, college and even future careers in STEM fields.”
A total of 18 schools representing six area school districts and two charter schools competed in the math competitions held throughout North Texas.
Explore Horizons was founded in 2001 in the UK by Cambridge University mathematics graduate Bill Mills. It currently operates more than 100 centers in the U.K. The first center in the U.S. opened in March 2014 in Colleyville, Texas, and there are now also locations in Plano, Fort Worth and coming soon to Frisco. Plans to open centers throughout the United States and the globe are under way. Explore Horizons Tutoring and Enrichment Centers provide math, reading and writing, enrichment and tutoring for children in Pre-K through eighth grade to prepared students for the challenges of high school and college.