The MTC Game Show is a Math competition which tests the mastery of the Multiplication Tables. By gauging the speed and accuracy in the recollection and application of multiplication using mental math, the MTC Game Show offers thrilling exhibitions of wits, and dazzling displays of aptitude in mental calculation that is worthy of the bright lights and spectacle of a game show.
The MTC Game Show has a global vision of inspiring young minds to take on the task of mastering the multiplication tables. The Mission of the MTC Game Show is to employ the use of competition in drawing attention to the need for mastery of the multiplication tables, a vital tool, in the study of Mathematics. In order to get all and sundry on board, the idea of staging the competition as a game show holds an appeal and allure that can attract all students, and get them excited about mastering the tables. In time, we believe that the MTC would be a place where students look forward to exhibiting their knowledge of the tables after their work, in obscurity, of mastering the tables is done.
Beginning in the summer of 2016, the competition, which targeted students in the Elementary and Middle schools in the Prince George’s county area in Maryland, took off with its first edition, at the Largo branch of the Prince George’s County Memorial Library System. After two grueling rounds in a fiercely contested affair, witnessed by the family and friends of the contestants, the 14 contestants were down to two students tied for first place. Elizabeth Olojo, then only a 3rd grade student, and Nneka Opara, a sixth grade student faced off for the top spot. In the end, Nneka edged out her younger rival narrowly. The medal podium had in 3rd place, Maameya Ofori-Darkwa, 2nd place, Elizabeth Olojo, and Champion, Nneka Opara.
In the summer of 2017, a much stiffer competition dubbed “I’m up for it!” highlighting the students’ readiness to take on the challenge of the game show was held in Prince George’s County Memorial Library System, PGCMLS Largo branch, where it was held the previous year. With more Categories of testing the mastery of the tables added, more rounds of competition spanning two consecutive Saturdays, and the introduction of prize monies, the 2017 edition produced a tougher contest among the over twenty contestants from the 3rd through 8th grades. The final round which featured 12 of the best from the previous weekend’s contest showcased top-class performances involving the display of wits and initiatives as each student tried to earn their place at the top spot. In the end, the three medalists and prize money winners were Elizabeth Olojo in third place, her elder sister, Esther Olojo, in second place, and the Champion, Grace Onwukwe.
After a hiatus in 2018, the competition returned in 2019 with heightened standards and increased stakes. The prize pool for 2019 surpassed that of previous editions, with the introduction of new categories including the 'Joker'. The event also saw a substantial increase in participation, with approximately fifty students from the Largo area of Prince George’s County, Maryland, competing at the Largo campus of Prince George’s Community College. The competition showcased intense contests throughout two rounds, highlighting the brilliance of the 'Challengers'. Following rigorous competition, ten finalists emerged to deliver a masterful performance in the final round. The top three winners were Grace Onwukwe, securing third place as the defending champion, Zinachidi Achikwe in second place, and the event's Champion, Hope Tiwang.
Mastery in most skills is measured in the accuracy and the speed of executing tasks requiring such skills.
The task of testing the mastery of the multiplication tables is quite a tricky one, especially when carried out in the mode of a competition requiring mental math. The challenge is all the greater when you realize that among a large number of students the degree of mastery of the tables might vary only slightly, and that the differences in the mastery of the tables might go undetectable when measured through means of standardized testing.
The task is therefore to create a game show that is a testing ground both to measure an individual’s mastery level, and detect differences in the mastery levels among contestants.
To achieve this, the MTC is a testing and placement system. A system designed to test the mastery of the tables, and provide a placement scheme for levels of mastery based on MTC performance metrics.
The MTC Game Show is conducted through rounds of competition and in each round, contestants are tested through various categories. Each category is designed to test aspects of the knowledge and application of the tables. Through a predetermined duration of time (hitherto about 40 seconds, now defaulted to 60 seconds), a student is expected to give the correct responses to as many questions as he/she can. This drives the need for speed and accuracy at the competition.
Furthermore, given the varying degree of difficulty among the categories, the scores for correct responses are awarded differently from one category to another. The students are also given the choices of what categories they would be tested, in order to allow them play to their strengths. This tests students’ confidence levels, self assessments, and decision making at the competition.
The MTC also includes live performance indicators for real time assessment of performances.
After each performance, a performance summary is displayed. This summary includes such mastery indices as percent accuracy and questions per second speed.
Other methods of testing the mastery of the tables are being considered to better evaluate competitors at the MTC, and correctly measure varying levels of mastery however minuscule the difference by which these levels may vary. Other forms of the competition including competing as teams are also being explored.
