To help students reach their full potential, Oakview Preparatory School in Yonkers, New York, offers engaging opportunities to challenge and inspire them through healthy competitions, such as a multiplication challenge and a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fair.
A common challenge for math teachers is ensuring students master their multiplication facts. To address this, Oakview organized a three-round multiplication/division competition for students in grades 2-8. The first round was a written test, with students scoring 80% or higher advancing to the oral second round. The top two participants from each grade moved to the final round, where winners received trophies to celebrate their achievements.
The school’s annual science fair evolved into a dynamic STEM exposition this year. Students chose to conduct experiments, create inventions, or perform demonstrations. While some students were eager to present, others felt nervous about sharing their projects with the judges.
Karen Austin, science teacher for grades 5-8, equipped judges with detailed rubrics and evaluation forms. Two judges reviewed each project, questioned the students, deliberated on their findings, and selected winners for each grade. First-, second-, and third-place winners and honorable mentions were announced, with first-place winners receiving trophies for their exceptional work.
In her book Education, Ellen G. White wrote, “Higher than the highest human thought can reach is God’s ideal for His children.” Oakview strives to nurture its students spiritually, socially, and academically, with STEM serving as one pathway to academic growth.
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Judith White, principal, Oakview Preparatory School
