Maths Explorer Years 3 & 4

About The Program

Using a problem solving approach is of particular value to students of all ages. The Maths Explorer program allows students in Years 3 and 4 to collaborate with their peers and work together to make decisions about the way they explore a problem, regardless of their abilities.

Whether your students are mainstream or high-achieving, Maths Explorer will develop their skills and knowledge in the field of maths problem solving and prepare them for the challenges of either the Maths Games and/or the Maths Olympiad in later years.

Unlike the Maths Olympiads, students participating in the Maths Explorer do not compete against students from other schools. The primary focus of this program is to build students’ confidence and allow them to develop their skills in a non-competitive environment. It uses fun and relatable themes to showcase how problem solving strategies can be applied to a variety of problems and encourages students to work together to expand their knowledge and understanding.

The main aims of the program are to:

Help younger students make sense of mathematical ideas rather than simply learning abstract concepts.
Introduce effective problem solving strategies from an early age and develop flexibility for problem solving.
Stimulate students’ enthusiasm and enjoyment of mathematics.
Build students’ confidence in their own ability.
Demystify the problem solving approach and prevent the onset of ‘maths anxiety.
Provide an opportunity to experience both challenges and success on the same problem.

2022 Competition Dates

Applications for date changes can be made in the Members’ area

Who Can Enter?

The Maths Explorer program is suitable for all students in Years 3 and 4.
Registration is only open to schools in Australia and New Zealand, as well as Australian International Schools.
Individual registration is not possible.
Schools can enter an unlimited number of teams with up to 30 students per team.

Program Format

The Maths Explorer program differs from the Maths Olympiad and Maths Games because students work in pairs, or small groups of three, to find solutions to problems.
The program consists of five separate papers containing two questions each, which are held roughly six weeks apart, on the same dates as the Maths Olympiads (starting in late March).
Each paper focuses on a particular theme that is both fun and relatable, enhancing students’ enjoyment of the program and allowing them to see the application of problem solving strategies.
Resource Kits are provided to teachers that focus on the individual problem solving strategies included in the program.
Students should complete all five papers, however the first Maths Explorer paper is considered a “preparation” paper to help teachers and students gauge the level of difficulty and the results of Paper 1 are not included in a student’s overall score.
Students complete the papers in a classroom setting with a 30 minute time limit.
APSMO recommends that the solutions be reviewed as a group to enhance learning.
Students’ overall results are not compared to students in teams from other schools.