The entire Bowl consists of 10 questions with 5 minutes allotted for each question. The points for getting a correct answer are weighted; 10 points for the first minute, 8 points if answered in the 2nd minute, etc. After each minute a timer beeps, informing the students of the disappearing window for answering the question.
Although I love to show my support for my son, I hate the Math Bowl. The entire time I look on as his team huddles together, pencils scribbling, arguments erupting, time slipping by. It's hard for me to watch. The questions are quite tough for their grade, but are easy enough for me to figure out within a few moments of reading them on the projector screen. Knowing the answer, I have to sit still and quietly hold my breath while I observe them working it out.
Completely. Nerve. Wracking.
It's even worse when, on occasion, I realize that they have misunderstood the complicated directions and are working on the problem from the entirely wrong angle.
Alas...they came in fifth place...just above the middle of the pack, but not one of the top three teams going to the finals.
Watching your children compete is so much worse than competing yourself.
