Villarrobledo celebrates the semifinal of the thirty-sixth edition of the Mathematics Olympiad in its provincial phase at the library museum facilities.
The semifinal consists of two days, the first of which was held today, with students from 5th and 6th grade, and a second day tomorrow, with secondary school students divided into 1st and 2nd levels and 3rd and 4th levels.
The Mayor, Valentín Bueno, along with councilor Ana Hernán, visited the development of this Olympiad, now in its thirty-sixth edition, welcomed by its precursor and member of the Castilian-Manchego Association of Mathematics Teachers, Juan Emilio García, who emphasizes the objective of promoting and popularizing mathematics through problem-solving.
García recalls that the Olympiad originated in Villarrobledo at his initiative to promote problem-solving among teachers. It has since been consolidated over three decades, becoming a regional and national event.
The aim is to instill in students the idea that solving problems is valuable and that people who solve problems are to be appreciated, as mathematics becomes increasingly present in all aspects of life.
Juan Emilio García mentions that today, 5 boys and girls selected by their teachers from 5th and 6th grade in each primary school are participating in the Olympiad, simultaneously held in Almansa, Hellín, and Albacete. Eventually, 10 boys and girls from the province will advance to the final phase.
During the Olympiad, students solve 3 genuine math problems—numbers, logic, and geometry—using deductive processes, which García asserts is crucial. Solving problems, with its challenges, aids in personal development by fostering critical thinking, reasoning, communication, and patience, sometimes even sparking curiosity in students to pursue mathematics academically and professionally, as there is no unemployment in the field of mathematics.
Up to this point, students have been working since February on various problems in their respective schools, with the involvement of teachers, to whom Juan Emilio García expresses gratitude, as well as to the participating students and the City Council for providing facilities and a small meal for the participants.
Juan Emilio García emphasizes the importance of institutional support for the Mathematics Olympiad, from the City Council to the Albacete Provincial Council.
Mayor Valentín Bueno notes that year after year, the City Council offers support to this Mathematics Olympiad, a classic event in April in Villarrobledo and the entire province.
Bueno values the commitment, enthusiasm, and perseverance of Juan Emilio García in maintaining this event, now in its thirty-sixth edition, while also highlighting the role of teachers in teaching mathematics to motivate students to enjoy the discipline. He recognizes their involvement in the classroom with this Olympiad as a complement to the curriculum and in supporting and accompanying selected students during the tests.
For the Mayor, these activities, in addition to their academic value, provide an opportunity for students to socialize, step out of the classroom, and see how the school community is involved in the social life of the town.
The Mayor also points out that mathematics, like language, is a tool that serves us in our daily lives to solve problems that arise in society.
FUENTE