SchoolNova Hosts Math Kangaroo Competition at Simons Center

Every year on the third Thursday of March, over six million students worldwide participate in Math Kangaroo, an international math competition open to all students aged 7 to 18.

On March 20, the Simons Center for Geometry and Physics welcomed more than 100 bright and motivated students as SchoolNova - the weekend enrichment program for kindergarten through 12th-grade students - hosted the competition at Stony Brook University for the 20th straight year.

The students were eager to challenge themselves and have fun solving math problems. Participants competed in six age categories, solving 24 or 30 multiple-choice problems in 90 minutes.

Math Kangaroo originated in Australia in the 1980s, and the United States joined the competition in 1998 with just one participating school in Chicago. Since then, participation has grown to over 52,000 students across the U.S. in 2025. As an official competition center since 2006, SchoolNova has enabled hundreds of local students to participate each year. Over 30 have been state winners, and over a dozen ranked among the top three nationally.

"The day SchoolNova hosts the Math Kangaroo is one of my favorites," said Marina Polonskaia, the director of SchoolNova. "It's exciting to see students of all ages arrive with their families, eager to tackle engaging math problems together. Their expressions shift from deep focus to joyful smiles as they work through challenges."

The competition aims to make math enjoyable and accessible to as many students as possible. Participants look forward to preparing for the event together, discussing problems and solutions, and celebrating their achievements afterward. Beyond the thrill of the challenge, they enjoy the festive atmosphere, the prizes and swag, and the chance to share their success with teachers and family.

"Math Kangaroo makes me stretch my brain and makes me think," said Sophie, a fifth-grade SchoolNova student. "While becoming smarter is a part of it, I do Kangaroo for the thrill and to make me happy with what score I get, good or bad. It pushes me to be better and work harder."

"The future belongs to the young, and it is important that they get motivated to learn the tools that will solve many of the challenges facing humans and the planet," said Luis Alvarez-Gaume, director of the Simons Center for Geometry and Physics. "Those tools involve science, and what SchoolNova is doing is precisely that: motivating, training and guiding our youth to excel in many STEM subjects that will help construct a less hostile future. It is an honor and a privilege for the Simons Center to host and to support SchoolNova activities. Like in relay races, we have to pass the baton to the next partners, and here those partners are our motivated youngsters."

"I truly enjoy the Math Kangaroo competition," added Alexander Abanov, professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at Stony Brook and a mathematics and physics teacher for SchoolNova. "It is unique in bringing together children of all ages, inspiring the belief that mathematics is beautiful for everyone."

Founded in 2004, SchoolNova at Stony Brook offers classes in mathematics, sciences, languages, and art. Led by a team of highly accomplished instructors, including Stony Brook University professors, scientists, and educators with advanced degrees, SchoolNova now serves over 450 students and provides in-person and online lessons.