NLE Math Olympiads

Information Night
NLE PICO – Kareena Nair
Sept 12, 2017
Math Olympiads (MOEMS)
 Math Olympiads for Elementary and Middle Schools (MOEMS) is a
large and popular mathematics competition for students in grades 4
through 8
 It is open only to schools, home schools, and institutes (NOT
INDIVIDUALS).
 A school can make one team of up to 35 students. Multiple teams can be
formed.
 Read more about MOEMS at http://www.moems.org
 NLE PICO (Person in charge of) / NLE Math Coordinator is: Kareena
Nair, knair.math@gmail.com
Math Olympiads (MOEMS) Goals:
 To stimulate enthusiasm and a love for Mathematics
 To introduce important Mathematical concepts
 To teach major strategies for problem solving
 To develop Mathematical flexibility in solving problems
 To strengthen Mathematical intuition
 To foster Mathematical creativity and ingenuity
 To provide for the satisfaction, joy, and thrill of meeting challenges
 Math Olympiads (MOEMS) Format:
 Math contests are taken in the participating school.
 Five monthly contests are administered from November through March.
 Each contest consists of five problems with first being the simplest and last being the hardest.
 Every problem requires careful mathematical thinking.
 Each student performs individually. He/she scores 1 point for each correct answer. Thus, a student
may score up to 25 points (cumulative) per year.
 Calculators are not permitted. Students must walk in with their own pencil and eraser.
 There is a time limit of 30 minutes to complete the test. There used to be a time limit per question
in the past but last year they changed the rules to allow only an overall 30 minute restriction.
 PICO administers the tests and scores the students.
 After each contest, results are submitted to MOEMS for scorekeeping. That helps determine the
awards that need to be shipped after the last contest.
 Contest questions, correct answers, and student scores are shared with the parents and their
respective coaches
Math Olympiads (MOEMS) Registration Requirements:
 Only 3rd, 4th, 5th Graders can participate.
 PTO paid membership (yearly dues of $20) is highly encouraged. PTO membership can be paid
at: https://nlepto.ptboard.com/home.
 MOEM Fees is waived if you are a PTO paid member. Otherwise, approximately $20 of non-
refundable MOEMS fees is to be paid to the PICO (Kareena Nair) to cover MOEMS fees and
admin costs. Exact amount of fees is determined after team(s) are registered at MOEMS site.
 Currently only 1 team is formed and can have up to 35 students only.
 Registration is first come first serve basis. Second team will only be formed if we receive over 39
requests. This will allow us to split into two teams of 20.
 PTO membership must be paid at the time of registration. Else, MOEMS fees is to be paid to
PICO prior to Test #1.
 All students interested must be registered by: OCTOBER 13, 2017.
 Registration Link will be posted on NLE Website under “Enrichment Programs” and will also be
emailed to parents who filled out the Interest Form:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe5zTkOSivDyT2Anyd_ftPzbSbtZGXSnQC4ixOCq9
XUFCwOzg/viewform?c=0&w=1
Math Olympiads (MOEMS) Curriculum:
 Visit MOEMS Store: http://store.moems.org to purchase books that will
help prepare for the tests.
 PICO Recommended Book - CREATIVE PROBLEM SOLVING in
School Mathematics 2nd Edition by Dr. George Lenchner
 Other books to consider purchasing to practice Math problems at
home/coaching sessions:
 MATH OLYMPIAD CONTEST PROBLEMS (Volume 1)
 MATH OLYMPIAD CONTEST PROBLEMS (Volume 2)
 MATH OLYMPIAD CONTEST PROBLEMS (Volume 3)
 All 4 books can be purchased for $129.00 (does not include S&H)
Math Olympiads (MOEMS) Test Preparation:
 MOEMS is a 100% parent volunteer program. 
 Parents need to step up and volunteer to coach a few students (3 to 5).
 Students need to be coached weekly for a minimum of 1 to 1.5 hours.
Homework and assignments are highly encouraged.
 It is not guaranteed that every child will have a coach if enough parents do not
volunteer. In that case, parents are responsible for coaching their own child.
 Even though these are individual performance tests, it is highly recommended
that students get coached in a team environment. This is really beneficial if the
student is interested in participating in the Loudoun County Regional Math
Tournament next year.
 Recommend that Volunteer Coaches work directly with PICO for student
assignments so students can be distributed based on their respective grades.
MOEMS Test Sample Questions
Q1: David removes 30% of the water in a jar. He then removes 40% of what remains in the jar. What
percent of the original amount of water is now in the jar?
A1: When 30% of the water is removed, 70% remains. Then when 40% of that 70% is removed, 60% of
the 70% remains. Thus, 0.6 × 70% = 42% of the original amount that remains in the jar.

Q2: If 3/4 of a certain number is 36, what is 2/3 of that same number?
A2: Since ¾ of the number is 36, the number is 36 divided by ¾, which is 48. Then 2/3 of 48 is 32.

Q3: If ADD + ADD + ADD = SUMS and A is even, what number is SUMS?
A3: Sum of 3 digit number is less than 3000 making S 1 or 2. Use those options to determine
D+D+D=S. You will find no solution with 1 but a solution with 2 making SUMS=2532
IMPORTANT! MOEMS Test Dates, Location, Time:

 November 14, 2017, Tuesday: NLE Library, 5:30pm to 6:30pm

 December 12, 2017, Tuesday: NLE Library, 5:30pm to 6:30pm
 January 16, 2018, Tuesday: NLE Library, 5:30pm to 6:30pm
 February 13, 2018, Tuesday: NLE Library, 5:30pm to 6:30pm
 March 06, 2018, Tuesday: NLE Library, 5:30pm to 6:30pm

All students must be registered by October 13, 2017. The sooner the better so volunteer
coaches can be assigned (if available).

Reminder: Registration is first come first serve. 2nd team will be formed only if we
receive over 39 registration requests.
Parents Involvement in MOEMS:
MOEMS is a 100% parent volunteer program. We need volunteers for:
 Coaching 3 to 5 kids at your home once a week for 1 to 1.5 hours
 Assist PICO in setting up test room and administering test on test days
from 5pm to 7pm (only 2 to 4 volunteers needed)

All students must be dropped off at NLE Library on Test dates by 5:30pm
and picked up by 6:30pm. Students need to come with a sharpened pencil
and eraser.
Awards & Ceremony:
 Highest Individual Scorer (Gold) Trophy is awarded to the student with
the highest cumulative score of 5 contests
 Honorable Mention (Silver) Trophy is awarded to the student with the
second highest cumulative score of 5 contests
 Gold Logo Pin is awarded to the top 2% of all participants in Division
 Silver Logo Pin is awarded to the next 8% of all participants in Division
 Embroidered Patch is awarded to the top 50% of all participants in
Division
 Certificate of Participation is awarded to every participant

Award Ceremony is held during 4th quarter of school year

 Questions? Comments?

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME!