Bellefonte Area elementary students participate in 24 Challenge regional, state competitions

Bellefonte Elementary School fifth-grader Braedyn Kormanic represented his school district Wednesday as he faced off against students from across Pennsylvania in the 24 Challenge state competition.

Braedyn punched his ticket to states by becoming the fourth/fifth grade champion last month at the regional 24 Challenge competition at Lock Haven University-Clearfield campus.

The 24 Challenge is a tournament-style math competition in which students use addition, subtraction, multiplication and division to make the number 24 from the four numbers on each card. Through the year, teachers use the game in their classes to help students hone math skills, the competition website said.

District elementary math coach Stephanie Culley said each elementary school building in the district held school tournaments in March and April.

Winners advanced to the district’s tournament in April at Pleasant Gap Elementary School.

“This culminated in students participating in the regional challenge in Clearfield,” she said. “Students had fun competing and are already looking forward to next year’s competitions.”

To prepare for the contests, Culley said students spent lunch, recess, and before and after school time practicing

“Since this was the first time we participated, we didn’t start any real practices until late December,” she said.

But next school year, preparations will start at the beginning of the year, Culley added.

This story was originally published June 18, 2017 at 11:00 PM with the headline "Bellefonte Area elementary students participate in 24 Challenge regional, state competitions."