A team of third graders from New Hyde Park Road School secured an impressive first place finish in the First in Math New York State Mathematics Championship on May 31. Joshua Howard, Shaoen Wang and Lucas Wu traveled to Albany, along with district Mathletes teacher Tammie Svendsen, to represent their school with pride and compete against eight distinguished teams from across the state.
The team participated in three rigorous rounds of the Factor Wheels Challenge, which demanded not only strong teamwork but also an understanding of multiples, factors and advanced problem-solving skills. Their exceptional performance in these rounds secured them a spot in the final judging phase. For this final round, the Road School team met with a panel of three judges to present and explain their board, discuss their individual roles in the challenge, and articulate their strategies and understanding of the mathematical concepts involved. Their first-place victory awarded their school a $5,000 prize.
“I had every confidence in their abilities during this final stage,” Mrs. Svendsen said. “In working closely with Shaoen, Joshua and Lucas, I witnessed first-hand their grasp of the game and their thoughtful approach to strategy. Their clarity and confidence during the presentation truly reflected their preparation and deep understanding. This was an extraordinary experience for the boys, their families and for me as their coach.”