This year’s Mathematical Sciences Month celebration ended on a high note highlighting the transformative power of mathematical sciences among students, educators, and math enthusiasts nationwide. Spearheaded by the UPLB Mathematical Sciences Society, the event with the theme “LIVE NOW: Unboxing Mathematical Sciences in the Digital Age” began as a week-long celebration but has now expanded into a month-long activity.
This year’s theme, “LIVE NOW: Unboxing Mathematical Sciences in the Digital Age” highlights the growing influence of mathematical sciences, particularly in big data and complex algorithms that drive social media and the digital world. From algorithms that personalize the posts seen on social media to the data-processing techniques that drive these platforms, the organization emphasizes the immediate relevance of mathematical sciences in a world increasingly shaped by social media. Indeed, being “LIVE NOW” reflects on how many social media interactions unfold in real-time, with mathematics playing a crucial role in the dynamic evolution of these interactions. Living in the digital age means navigating a world where technology and data shape daily lives.
48th Annual Search for the UPLB Math Wizard
After its huge return at last year’s celebration, the 48th Annual Search for the UPLB Math Wizard came back even stronger with 143 participating students from various UPLB degree programs. The new mechanics of the UPLB Math Wizard made the competition even more fierce—participants showcased their proficiency in mathematical reasoning in Apprentice’s Aptitude, the event’s preliminary round. In the final round, the UPLB Mathematical Sciences Society has revamped its competition format, replacing the previous three rounds of varying difficulty with a simpler two-round structure. The Top 15 students were chosen to compete in the first part of the final round, the Evoker’s Exhibition Round. The Top 6 of the Evoker’s Exhibition Round advanced to the next round—Archmage’s Ascension Round.
The Top 3 are then chosen to be the UPLB Math Wizard and the first and second runner-ups, respectively. The second runner-up is Kobe Bryant E. Mercado from BS Applied Mathematics, while the first runner-up is Lance Chrysler V. e Jesus from BS Computer Science. This year’s UPLB 48th Math Wizard is Charles Dwight M. Pelaez from BS Mathematics, who also holds the title of last year’s 47th UPLB Math Wizard, achieving the feat of being a back-to-back UPLB Math Wizard.
STAT the Fact 2024
STAT the FACT: an Infographic Making Contest is an online competition held during Mathematical Sciences Month 2024. Open to all junior and senior high school students nationwide, the competition’s theme is “Advancing Data and Statistics Through Digital Transformation: A Road to an Empowered Nation” of this year’s National Statistics Month by the Philippine Statistics Authority. This artistic and informative extension of “LIVE NOW: Unboxing Mathematical Sciences in the Digital Age” aims to harness the power of data and statistics in empowering the Philippines with the dynamic digital age and how we can use digital transformation to promote this vision in developing the Philippines.
Lance Derald P. Auingan of Lyceum of Aparri was awarded the People’s Choice Award, catching the attention of the masses. Josh Angelo B. Labayog of Saint Ferdinand College took third place, Alvea L. Salave of Alangilan Senior High School was second place, and Maria Iorizel O. Tengco of South Hill School, Inc. took first place in this year’s STAT the Fact.
Link to Winner’s Entry: https://bit.ly/STATtheFact2024WinnerEntry
CyberSine 2024
CyberSine: a Short Video-Making Competition is a nationwide online competition of the Mathematical Sciences Month 2024, open for all junior and senior high school students. In line with this year’s Mathematical Sciences Month’s theme, “LIVE NOW: Unboxing Mathematical Sciences in the Digital Age”, CyberSine aims to celebrate the significance of computer science in developing advancements in mathematical sciences and contributions in solving real-world problems through the creative and innovative approaches to making short videos.
From this year’s entries for CyberSine, the entry from Kapitolyo High School’s Otezza Shantal L. Reyes and Juan Paolo De Leon was awarded the People’s Choice Award. Through the judging panel, the third place was awarded to Deka Desheya M. Bartolata and Rhaine G. Panganiban of Our Lady of Caysaysay Academy, the second place to Sofiya Anika L. Cueno and Denzel Dwayne Carreon of Philippine Science High School – Central Luzon Campus, and the first place to Mary Kate Ysabel S. Oida and Ryan Paul O. Compuesto of Jose Panganiban National High School.
Link to Winner’s Entry: https://bit.ly/CyberSine2024WinnerEntry
Teachers’ Seminar
A teachers’ seminar for the student participants’ coaches was held simultaneously with the preliminary round of this year’s National Mathematical Challenge. The teacher’s seminar aims to serve as a platform for educators to have relevant discussions of key concepts from this year’s Mathematical Sciences Month’s theme “LIVE NOW: Unboxing Mathematical Sciences in the Digital Age”. The speakers and the teachers had discussions on the integration of social media in learning management and the ethical use of social media.
National Mathematical Challenge (MATHEMATCH) 2024
After being rescheduled due to the onslaught of Severe Tropical Storm Kristine, the National Mathematical Challenge (MATHEMATCH) 2024 commenced as the centerpiece of this year’s Mathematical Sciences Month as the national mathematics quiz competition open for all junior and senior high school students, in line with the Society’s goal of promoting deeper appreciation and wider application of mathematical sciences. The event was kickstarted with 38 schools and 62 teams from all over the country participating in the preliminary round to test their skills and mathematical prowess. The top 20 teams who garnered the highest scores from the preliminary round advanced to the final round, where participants were orally quizzed with a series of mathematical questions of varying difficulty, each with a set time limit, to determine this year’s MATHEMATCH champions.
The second runner-up for this year’s National Mathematical Challenge is awarded to the Philippine Science High School – Main Campus (Team 2) with Zion Skye Earl Carmelo C. Uy, Michael Gerard R. Tongson, and Kyush Cian G. Cabilino, and the first runner-up to the Philippine Science High School – CALABARZON Region Campus (Team 1) with Don Emmanuel D. De La Peña, Reuben Joseph R. Felix, and Norton Q. Fumera II. Last but not least, emerging as the National Mathematical Challenge 2024 champions are Mateo Inigo S. Espocia, Hans Gabriel R. De Vera, and Ieuan David R. Vinluan of the Philippine Science High School – Main Campus (Team 1).
Evolving from a week-long to a month-long celebration, the UPLB Mathematical Sciences Society has remained steadfast in its mission to champion the significance of mathematics within the Filipino community, fostering a deeper appreciation for its transformative impact. While social media took the spotlight for this year’s celebration, mathematics extends far beyond digital platforms. True to its aspirations, the UPLB Mathematical Sciences Society remains dedicated to showcasing the diverse applications of the mathematical sciences and advancing mathematical literacy across the Filipino nation. The Society envisions a future where mathematics is appreciated as a tool for solving problems and celebrated as a foundation of critical thinking and national development.
Written by: Takayuki Dionisio & Ashley Lawas
This event was made possible by UPLB Mathematical Science Society.