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General

Math Challenge 2026

Campus Center/Library 2106
Oct 08, 2026
8:00 AM - 2:00 PM
A woman sits at a table with a laptop, listening and smiling during a group meeting. Two other people are partially visible, also seated at the table with laptops.

Who Can Participate?

  • High school students in grades 11 and 12. Students may register as individual participants and do not have to attend with a teacher. Students from a distance can talk with the Admissions Office regarding possible reimbursement of travel costs if this is their first visit to Dordt University.
  • Teachers may register themselves and their students as a group.

Register for the 2026 Math Challenge!

Register Now

What to Expect

The Math Challenge will be a full day of activities that include:

  • Student math competitions with prizes.
  • Professional growth and networking opportunities for teachers.
  • Discussions and hands-on experiences with Dordt University professors, looking at career opportunities in math and related subjects.
  • Breakout Sessions

Schedule of Events

TimeEvent
9 - 9:30 a.m.Registration and Warm-up Activity (The Overlook)
9:30 - 9:40 a.m.Welcome, NOYCE Presentation, Rules
9:40 - 10:30 a.m.

Individual Exam

Teachers meet to finalize teams for Team Competition

10:40 - 10:55 a.m.Admissions Presentation
11:00 - 11:45 a.m.Lunch
12:00 - 12:40 p.m.Team/Group Exam
12:45 - 1:35 p.m.

Student Breakout Sessions (Various Rooms - guides will escort you)

Mathematical Escape Room
Playing the Odds
The Math of Spot It!
In Rectangle Math 4x3=18
Mathematical Games & Puzzles
Campus Tour

1:45 - 2:00 p.m.Awards Ceremony

Breakout Sessions

Event - HostDescription

Mathematical Escape Room

Val Zonnefeld

The Dordt Math Education students have been busy planning mathematical challenges. Bring an open mind and your problem-solving skills. Did we mention there is candy for those who succeed?

Playing the Odds

Derek Friend

Will you win a car? Or will you get stuck with a goat? In this breakout session you’ll play the Monty Hall game, where you’ll select one of three doors and hope you pick the one that has the car behind it (and not a goat!). Can you use logic and simulation to discover the strategy that maximizes your probability of winning?

The Math of Spot It!

Nate Benjamin

Come learn the math behind the popular game of Spot It! - a game of cards, matching, speed, goofy images, and lots of math. We will discuss what makes the game work the way it does, and how to design your own version of Spot It! maybe you can even figure out an error with the deck!

In Rectangle Math 4x3=18

Tom Clark

In this session we will explore a new kind of multiplication called “Rectangle Multiplication” where the rules of multiplication are changed. Can this new version of multiplication be understood? Find out...

Mathematical Games & Puzzles

Mike Janssen

Mathematics provides tools for helping us explore various games and puzzles, from ancient the ancient game of Nim to the Rubik’s cube. Let’s play together!

Contact

Questions? We'd be happy to answer them!

Katie Gillespie
Science and Technology Administrative Assistant
712-722-6382

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