Fermi Math League Program Information
Winter 2009-10
The Famous Fermi Trojan Chicken:
Fill with eggs, please... chicken, duck ,ostrich, T.Rex....
Winter 2010 Start Here
The Fermi Off-the-Wall Math League is an internet-based math
competition appropriate for enrichment, small group work and
individuals wanting creative, technology- rich experiences. In its 11th year, the Fermi Math League is open to school districts and
individual students world-wide. Last session had over 150 kids and teams playing around with math, art and technology. This winter's theme: The Vancouver Olympics!
Registration forms for the Winter Session are still available Upon registration, user names and passwords are issued via email confirmations. Schools wishing to use Fermi materials may pay a flat fee for the academic year. Group rates are available for math classes and whole districts.
Archive-only use of Fermi Math is available to schools and districts who wish to run their own competitions.
So what is Fermi Math all about? What makes it Fermi?
A Fermi question is posed with limited information given.
How many water balloons would it take fill grandma's bathtub?
How many cockroaches will fill the trunk of a VW Beetle?
How much fabric would it take to make a camo-suit for Moby Dick?How many eggs would fit in the Trojan Horse's body?A Fermi question requires that students ask many more questions.What kind of eggs? Dinosaur eggs?...and the list goes on.
What are the approximate dimensions of the bathtub?
What kind of roaches? Gigantic tropical ones, or common German roaches?
Do you want that camo-suit with or without a hood?
A Fermi question emphasizes process rather than "the" answer.
A Fermi question demands communication and writing.
A Fermi question utilizes estimation, rounding numbers and guesses.
Does this sound like fun? Do you like to measure, estimate, and play around with technology? Love Powerpoint? Got a digital camera or a great camera on your phone? Fermites (Fermi students) access one Off-the-Wall
problem per week online, work at the solution over the space of a week
and a weekend. A model is constructed and added to the email entry as
an attachment. Creativity and wild topics make
Fermi an ideal solution for home enrichment, small groups at school,
independent study or neighborhood fun. Any interested student may
register and participate. No carpools or schedues to meet. Fermi is international!
Schools are especially interested in constructed response activities to help students gain experience and practice with this math area before winter and spring standardized testing. Fermi Math emphasizes writing about your math...ideal for the integration of subjects. Check out Fermi samples, rules, scoring rubrics, checklists, models and more.
Join us for the six-week Winter Session! No car pools... all internet/email based. (Where else can you take a six-week class for $45? And wear your bathrobe and slippers while doing so from your home?
FAQ (frequently asked questions) page answers many questions.
≈ Students may work solo, or in teams up to four.
≈ No boundaries! Any student may register and compete.
≈ Divisions for grades 1-2, 3-4, 5-6 plus 7-9 regular and 7-9 "web designer" division
≈ All work done on internet via email--no geographic restrictions, no carpools.
≈ Work with friends, classmates and neighbors.
≈ Passwords and usernames will be issued after registration is received.
≈ Model archive is available online to registered students and schools
≈ Rules and tips are available to all online
≈ Grade 1/2 problems are "family math" oriented--parents and kids as partners
(Students register and pay fee; parents do not pay fee as partner)
≈ Several suburban districts have paid fees already; check with your G/T coordinator!
≈ All teams must complete a registraton form, even if districts pay your fees.
≈ Perfect as enrichment model or for independent study; great small group activity.
≈ Great math fun for neighborhood kids and clubs
≈ Prizes--medals, ribbons, certificates, fame, possible Nobel prizes...
≈ Winter '10 registration materials are now available. Download above.
Registration: Checks payable to Intermediate District 287.
Mail to: Fermi Math Attn: Karen Newell
Intermediate District 287 GiftedServices
1820 Xenium Lane North
Plymouth, MN 5544
Questions? Please contact Karen Newell, 287 Academic Services; kmnewell@district287.org
