Kenyan students to participate in world mathematics contest

By Lillian Aluanga

A group of students from Kenyan schools will be Africa’s representatives to one of the world’s most prestigous Mathematics tournaments, scheduled for next month.

The Harvard-MIT Mathematics Tournament is an annual competition for high school students held at Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

This year’s event will be held on February 11 at Harvard, and will have participants from North America, Europe and Asia, with countries like Canada, USA, China, India, and South Korea represented.

Kenya is the only country from Africa participating in the tournament, which will have about 900 students tested in various topics, including Algebra and Geometrics. A team comprises of between six and eight students, with countries allowed to enter a maximum of three teams.

Some of the students, Mishael Akleker and Parin Shah [Photos: Agnes Rube]

"This will be the second time for Kenya to participate in the event, which has been running annually since 1998," says Martin Atonga.

Atonga, a mathematics and chemistry teacher is training the team, which includes four boys and one girl. The sixth student is yet to confirm participation.

Last year Kenya was represented by Aga Khan Academy’s Paul Wanjohi, Alvy Muriuki, Aman Choda, Qaizer Manji, Rohit Vadakattu and Anirud Agastyaraju. The team was ranked in the fourth quarter of the competition. This year’s ‘mathletes’ have also been drawn from Braeburn Schools, with Atonga hoping to cast his net wider next year. "I would like to have at least two teams next year, with more girls and students under the 8-4-4 curriculum also represented ," he says.

Opportunity to interact

Atonga, who has authored Chemistry Made Simple series and co-authored several mathematics books, says the competition offers Kenyan students an opportunity to interact with some of the world’s most talented and ‘smartest’ mathematicians.

"Participating in such an event is a thought provoking, challenging and motivating experience. It not only raises the students’ profiles for future career advancement but could also be an advantage for those aiming to join Ivy League universities such as Harvard," he says.

Mishael Akleker, the only girl in the team, and its leader, says preparing for the tournament has taught her valuable lessons.

"I have had to be more discplined in the way I manage my time," says the International Baccalaureate (IB) student at Braeburn School. Akleker, 16, who cites mathematics, business studies and economics as her favourite subjects, has studied under at least three different education systems, which she says have broadened her exposure to different cultures and people.

Born in India, where she attended formal schooling, Akleker’s family moved to Malawi and South Africa before setting up base in Kenya. While schooling in the South Africa countries, Akleker also participated in other Mathematics competitions. The avid reader of autobiographies and titles penned by English business magnate Richard Branson, is also part of the Model United Nations, tennis and badminton clubs in school and loves to bake and watch cartoons in her free time.

The 16-year-old’s excitement at representing the country is palpable as she talks about her desire to see more girls participate.

Learning experience

"I want more girls to be part of this because the competition is not just about mathematics. It’s also a learning experience that helps one build their self- esteem and confidence," she says.

Atonga who originally mooted the idea of forming a team says he was stirred by the abilities of a student to solve complex mathematical problems. "I searched for various local math competitions to enter. That’s when I learnt about the Harvard-MIT tournament," he says.

To get more students involved, Atonga asked teachers in various schools to identify students talented in math. But this has had its challenges. "My reach is limited because it’s largely through word of mouth. It has also not been easy to settle on a time for training that works well for all students," he says.

Currently, the students meet three times a week with their trainer, and schedule other study meetings among themselves.

"I envision a future where we can have national, regional and international mathematics competitions that will also target rural or disadvantaged students. This will give them an opportunity to interact with some of the most talented students in the subject worldwide," says Atonga.

All mathematical problems tackled during the HMMT competition are written and compiled by Harvard and MIT undergraduates. The tournament is geared towards mathematical problem solving, with content for its preparation aligned to course content that complements school work. Among the topics tested are Algebra, Geometry, Calculus and Combinatorics – all of which are part of the mathematics curriculum. During the competition, students are barred from using books, notes, calculators or any other computational aids. Graph paper, rulers, protractors, compasses, drawing aids, cell phones and lap tops are also not allowed. Enrolling for the tournament however has cost implications with each student required to raise at least $3,500 (about Sh300,000) to cover travel, accommodation and administrative expenses.

Favourite subject

Seventeen-year-old Parin Shah, who is part of the team, lists mathematics as his favourite subject, but says he has found the going tougher with English.

Shah, who was born in India but later moved to Kenya says his interest in the competition was piqued by friends who were part of last year’s team to the competition.

Says Shah, who also likes to sing, research on computer programmes and sample different cuisine. "I am sure the competition will be an amazing experience and I look forward to learning more from other students."

While Algebra and Calculus come easy for the IB student at Nairobi’s Aga Khan Academy, Vectors have been a harder nut to crack. Shah, who nurses ambitions of studying economic investment and banking, is however optimistic that he will have brushed up on weaker areas in time for the competition.

For Ramana Shankar, 16, juggling the roles of headboy at Aga Khan Academy, studying for mock exams and preparing for the event have come with crucial lessons on time management.

"Its not easy, but its also not impossible to solve these mathematical problems," says Shankar. Shankar, who lived with his family in Tanzania for six years, before moving to Kenya, has participated in other Mathematics competitions and spends his free time researching on Information Technology related subjects.

While Algebra, Calculus and Geometry are easy for Shankar to understand, he has had to work harder in topics related to Probability and Statistics.

Besides being a member of the Extreme Math Club, Shankar, who confesses to having a weakness for Indian classical music, was also part of the junior achievers club, basketball and cricket teams. Other students who are part of the team are Pranav Kawshik and Sabeeh Mohsin.