MATH MADNESS A SUCCESS — Students at Pugliese West Elementary School challenged themselves while having fun during the annual March Mathness event. About 245 pupils in second- through fourth-grades, tested their math skills inside homerooms, participating in a format resembling that of the March Madness tournaments held by those in the NCAA. The school’s champion and top finishers for each grade received Dairy Queen gift cards and Easter baskets as prizes. Among those taking part in the event and being a part of the Final Four were, from left, Valen Minto, Amaya Reeves, Ruby Piko and Wyatt Channels. -- Contributed

STEUBENVILLE — Second- through fourth-grade pupils at Pugliese West Elementary School crunched numbers to improve their arithmetic skills during March Mathness activities.

The pupils challenged themselves while having fun during the fourth-annual event, officials stated.

About 245 children in second, third and fourth grades tested their math skills inside their homerooms, participating in a format resembling that of the March Madness tournaments.

The school’s champion and the top finishers in each grade received gift cards and baskets as prizes.

Second-grade teacher Emily Huffman explained the program began four years ago.

Initially, only third-graders participated. She expanded the event to include additional grades and this year, 245 children had the opportunity to complete pencil-and-paper tests for each round.

Activities began with a seven-minute test. Rounds then decreased by one minute, reducing the number of pupils still eligible to win the tournament.

The program was much like how the teams play during March Madness in the NCAA college basketball championships, Huffman noted.

Second-graders focused on addition and subtraction; third-graders targeted multiplication; and fourth-grade pupils practiced multiplication and division.

“We took the idea from the college basketball tournament and second-, third- and fourth-graders do challenges,” Huffman stated.

“Each homeroom took a test in early March at their grade level, then we made brackets similar to the college basketball Sweet 16,” She added.

Huffman continued, explaining that “Each class took their top 16 and the next week, faced off with one another. Then, it went down to the Elite Eight on the bracket. Those eight advanced to the Final Four round.”

Huffman said the competition concludes with a championship round to reveal an overall homeroom winner and top math whiz in each grade.

Winners received Dairy Queen gift cards and Easter baskets with a basketball theme.

“This is a way to prepare them for the state test they take in April,” she added. “This is the first year second- through fourth-graders were involved.”

“I had previously done it as March Multiplication Madness for third-graders only,” Huffman stated. “And then I decided to get the other grades involved to practice their math skills.”

“It also helps with attendance because the kids must be here on Thursdays to participate,” she concluded. “We thought it was a fun way to bridge the gap and an exciting way to practice their math skills.”

Those who made it into the Final Four included Wyatt Channels, Amaya Reeves, Valen Minto and Ruby Piko.

The competitors expressed the fun they had during the March Mathness event, with Channels commenting, “I’m good at math.”

Reeves added he, too, was pleased with placing in the Final Four.

“I’m excited,” added Reeves. “I like math.”

“I mostly like math, but I don’t study for it,” said Minto. “I like that I’m playing against Amaya.”