There are various reasons for participating in STEM competitions
It is an excellent opportunity to challenge the students beyond the classroom, enabling those passionate about STEM to hone their skills in a team setting and showcasing their expertise outside traditional academic confines. STEM competitions not only broaden one’s knowledge but also demonstrate the ability to collaborate effectively and thrive in high pressure environments as well as serving as a valuable experience on college applications.
STEM competitions can significantly impact college admission prospects. Generally, the more selective and competitive the competitions, and the better the student’s performance, the higher the chances of gaining admission to preferred colleges.
These competitions show both STEM collaborative work and knowledge. These are arenas for which participants may foster critical thinking skills in both collaborative and independent work. These competitions provide the push for students to further refine their capabilities in diverse areas such as robotics, coding, game design and many more. These experiences offer profound insights into individual talents and preferences, and thus enhance their appeal to prestigious academic institutions.
Can-Star Academy provides opportunities to join teams and receive training for these competitions to those who are interested.
1.CEMC Contests For reference:
Introduction:
The CEMC (Centre for Education in Mathematics and Computing) contests are prestigious academic events designed to challenge and inspire students in the field of mathematics and computing. The competition, hosted by the University of Waterloo, attracts talented students from around the world, fostering a spirit of academic excellence and innovation.
Grade 8 or below
Pascal
Cayley
Grade 11 or below
Gr. 12
Exam Format: 25 multiple-choice questions
3 sections: Sections A and B follow the traditional multiple-choice format, with answers as A, B, C, D, or E. In Section C, candidates are required to select and fill in integer answers ranging from 0 to 99.
Exam Duration: | 60 minutes |
Competition Scoring: | Maximum score of 150 points |
Calculator Usage: | The use of a calculator is allowed for some sections. |
We help to register for students and offer training for contests.
Awards:
Individual Awards:
Certificate of Distinction:
Awarded to students ranking in the top 25% globally.
Contest Medal:
Presented at the discretion of CEMC to each school’s champion.
Honour Rolls:
High-scoring participants in the official Canadian region, unofficial Canadian region, and international region are nominated for Honour Rolls in their respective areas.
Plaque:
Awarded to the top five qualifying participants in Canada.
Regional Champion:
Exclusive to Fermat Contest qualifiers, the champion in each region receives a bonus of 200 Canadian dollars.
Team Awards:
Schools may choose to participate in team score evaluations, based on the combined scores of the top three qualifying participants.
Canadian regions have three award levels:
Zone
Provincial
National
Canadian schools can compete for:
Canadian Championship Plaque
Provincial Championship Plaques
Zone Championship Certificates
Overseas schools also have honor rolls and rankings.
Can-Star Academy Training courses:
Duration: 30 sessions (60 hours) per contest
Price:
Gauss | September to January60 hours5 full mock tests | $3000Mock Exams outside of 60 hours and not charged extra |
Pascal | September to January60 hours5 full mock tests | $3000Mock Exams outside of 60 hours and not charged extra |
Cayley | September to January60 hours5 full mock tests | $3000Mock Exams outside of 60 hours and not charged extra |
Fermat | September to January60 hours5 full mock tests | $3000Mock Exams outside of 60 hours and not charged extra |
Euclid | September to January60 hours5 full mock tests | $3000Mock Exams outside of 60 hours and not charged extra |
Content:
The exam questions are based on a curriculum common to all provinces in Canada. The final few questions are designed to test creativity and insight. Most competition questions do not assess content rather evaluate logical thinking and mathematical prowess.
Our preparation course is divided into 30 sessions, progressing systematically based on the study material and cognitive training. Preparation is structured around past exam papers, official CEMC publications, weekly insights from the University of Waterloo’s Math Circles, and resources available on the CEMC website. Through concentrated training, previous students have achieved commendable results: over 95% ranking in the top 25% and many earning a spot on the Honor Rolls.
2.AMC
Introduction:
The AMC (American Mathematics Competitions) is a series of contests for students, providing a platform to showcase their mathematical skills. There are three main levels:
AMC 8: Open to students in grades 8 and below, this 25-question, 40-minute multiple-choice exam tests their knowledge in middle school mathematics.
AMC 10/12: Designed for students in grades 10 and below (AMC 10) or grades 12 and below (AMC 12), these exams consist of 25 multiple-choice questions with a 75-minute time limit, covering a broader range of high school mathematics.
AIME (American Invitational Mathematics Examination): High s High scorers on the AMC 10/12 move on to the AIME, a 15-question, 3-hour examination that challenges participants with more complex problems.
Top performers may advance to the USA(J)MO (USA Junior Mathematical Olympiad) and ultimately the USAMO (USA Mathematical Olympiad), representing the highest level of mathematical achievement in the United States. The AMC competitions play a crucial role in identifying and nurturing mathematical talent while promoting a passion for problem-solving among students nationwide.
Achieving high scores in the AMC brings national recognition to students, schools, and teachers. It highlights excellence in mathematics education and contributes to the broader academic community.
Can-Star Academy Training courses:
Duration: 30 sessions (60 hours) per contest
Price:
AMC 8 | March to October （no classes in July & August)60 hours5 full mock tests | $3000Mock Exams outside of 60 hours and not charged extra |
AMC 10/12 | March to October （no classes in July & August)60 hours5 full mock tests | $3000Mock Exams outside of 60 hours and not charged extra |
Content:
Our training course offers a strategic and comprehensive approach. AMC tests a broad range of mathematical concepts. Our course materials are based on resources provided by the Mathematical Association of America (MAA) and other reputable sources. We especially focus on past exams. This course enhances students’ understanding of algebra, geometry, number theory, combinatorics, and probability.
During the 60 hour course, our experienced tutors works with students to:
Understand the Format: Familiarize yourself with the structure and types of questions in each AMC level. Understanding the format helps in developing targeted study plans.
Study and Practice Past Papers: Practice with past AMC papers to get accustomed to the question style. Analyze solutions to understand different problem-solving approaches. We simulate exam-like conditions.
Build Problem-Solving Skills: Focus on developing problem-solving skills rather than memorizing formulas. Work on puzzles, brainteasers, and unconventional math problems.
Individualized study plan: Experienced instructors will put together a plan for students to work on their weaknesses and concentrate on improving those areas. Targeted practice in specific topics can lead to significant improvement.
3.PhysicsBowl
Introduction:
The PhysicsBowl is an international competition for high school students and schools. Every year in March and April, students and schools compete by answering 40 multiple-choice questions from topics taken in high school physics.
The questions on the PhysicsBowl are taken from high school physics. Division I is for first-year physics students and Division II is for second-year physics students.
The awards change from year-to-year, but there are awards given each year to the top 2 students in each region/division and also to each of the top 2 schools in each region/division.
https://www.aapt.org/programs/physicsbowl/
Can-Star Academy Training courses:
Duration: 30 sessions (60 hours) per contest
Placement assessment will be held at the first session. Instructor will discuss the most suitable division according to the result of the assessment.
PhysicsBowl Division 1 | September to March60 hours5 full mock tests | $3000Mock Exams outside of 60 hours and not charged extra |
PhysicsBowl Division 2 | September to March60 hours5 full mock tests | $3000Mock Exams outside of 60 hours and not charged extra |