If your grade 7 or 8 SelfDesign learner gets excited about solving puzzles, tackling equations, and exploring dynamic math problems, join like-minded children in the Gauss Math Contest! This event will be the perfect opportunity for enthusiastic math lovers to truly challenge themselves and represent SelfDesign in a worldwide competition!

“This competition is perfect for SelfDesign’s math aficionados because so many of our learners are very interest- and passion-driven,” says HomeLearners Network Guide, Heather Turnbull. “If they love math and are looking for mastery-level learning, this is a great way to go above and beyond their grade level.”

What is the Gauss Math Contest?

The Gauss Math Contest is held annually by the Centre for Education in Mathematics and Computing (CEMC) from the University of Waterloo and can be taken online or in person. It provides a fun and accessible way for kids to try math problems that dive deep into logistical reasoning and creative thinking.

“It’s a chance for learners to show their problem-solving skills and practice some really challenging questions that aren’t typically part of math curriculums,” says Heather. “Kids can learn to approach problems from several different angles and explore alternative ways of math thinking.”

The contest runs in a multiple-choice format and has three sections. The first focuses on essential math knowledge, the second on word, geometry, and figure problems, and the third tests your child’s ingenuity and higher-level thinking. Each section is worth a different number of points, and points are deducted for incorrect answers to discourage guessing.

Why should your learner participate?

Not only does participation in the Gauss Math Contest look great on a resume, but children who continue the competition into higher grades can receive a scholarship to the University of Waterloo!

“It’s a fun challenge because it’s not high stakes, stretches their thinking, and exposes them to new mathematical ideas,” says SelfDesign® Learning Consultant and HomeLearners Network Guide, Alecyn Lea. “A standard learner at a regular grade level would probably only score around fifty percent!”

“It’s extra fun when the results are released because the kids get a chance to see that there are many, many ways to approach each problem,” says Heather. “Seeing them discover the different pathways they could have taken for each question is more fascinating to me than the results!”

Each competitor receives a certificate of participation, and there are awards for children who score highest within their respective schools, including Certificates of Distinction and Certificates of Outstanding Achievement. “But the prize is really a sense of accomplishment!” Alecyn adds.

How to practice for the Gauss Math Contest?

If your learner is excited about the Gauss Math Contest, or they’re trying to determine if it’s right for them, check out HomeLearners Network’s Gauss Math Club!

Each week, learners ages 11 to 14 work collaboratively and individually to tackle problems based on the Gauss Math Contest and solve the problem of the week from the CEMC.

“We go through the problem of the week at all levels, starting from grade three all the way up to grade 12, and we dive into the Gauss Math Competition’s repository of questions from previous competitions,” says Heather. “We use all brains on deck to solve each problem!”

Send an email to Alecyn Lea at alecynlea@selfdesign.org before April 24, 2025, to secure your learner’s spot in this year’s Gauss Math Contest!

(If your learner is in a lower grade and thinks they can take on the challenge, they’re welcome to sign up! Additionally, if your home learner is in a higher grade and wants to check out the University of Waterloo’s higher-level competitions, we want to hear about it!)