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Joe Kohn of The Michigan Catholic
Published March 17, 2006

Detroit – When it comes to training the brain, St. Scholastica School in Detroit has a method unlike any other Catholic school in the state.

It's the school's participation in the Michigan League of Academic Games, a competition involving schools from throughout the state competing in a series of games involving math, English, social studies and logic.

Paul Davis, a seventh-grader at St. Scholastica School in Detroit,competes in a game of Equations in preparation for the Michigan League of Academic Games Super Tournament in Grand Rapids this week. St. Scholastica is the only Catholic school represented at the academic competition.

This week, five students from St. Scholastica's 24-member team are in Grand Rapids for a statewide tournament to compete in two math-themed games. St. Scholastica is the only Catholic school represented at the tournament

Hundreds of schools compete throughout the year and earn points at regional weekend tournaments. The year-end Super Tournament is the finale: a bracket-style elimination contest that will determine which school is tops in the state.

"Sometimes it's like, you just want to try something new and learn other things, and Academic Games teaches you how to do things that you don't know how to do," said Austin Dunn, one of the five seventh-graders who's been in the statewide tournament, which runs March 15-17.

The five students – Austin, Paul Davis, Darrien Worth, Amber Martin and Jasmine Denis – are competing in two math-themed games called Equations and On-set.

The timed games, meant to promote critical thinking and problem-solving strategies, require players to solve mathematical problems that change as the game goes on.

"Not only are they learning and pushing the limit on their math, but they're also learning how to think quickly," said Katherine Nelson, a long-time teacher and a graduate of St. Scholastica.

St. Scholastica has been involved in the games for the past eight years. Students spend two days a week after school training for tournaments throughout a portion of the academic year – a dedication similar to those required by school sports teams.

"This is a great way to get the kids involved in something that would encourage them to learn math for a different reason than just taking a test and passing it," Nelson said. "They can play the game, have fun with it and advance their skills."

St. Scholastica students attending the Super Tournament include (from left): Paul Davis, Darrien Worth, Austin Dunn, Jasmine Denis and Amber Martin. They've been training with teachers AlainaAleman (left) and Katherine Nelson.

The students certainly seem to have fun with it.

Their practice games are laced with both tension and smiles. They especially like to challenge Nelson.

"I almost beat her," said Paul, recalling the time he had Nelson on the ropes during a game of Equations, "but I did something wrong with my solution. I was just off by a little bit."

Jasmine said the game helps her have fun with numbers.

"It's just fun if you like math, because you put your math skills to a game," she said. "It's a challenge and it's good for your mind."

She added that it helps prepare students for the math they'll be learning in school in a few years.

It also has helped the students know more about themselves.

"I've learned that I am very competitive," said Amber. "And if I lose, I get a little upset – but I try my hardest."

Four of the five Super Tournament team members also play basketball at St. Scholastica. Darrien, one of the basketball players, said basketball and academic games compliment each other.

"With basketball, you get exercise physically," Darrien said. "But with academic games, you get to work with your mind, mentally. So you actually get advanced in both so when you get in another grade you can be ahead of everyone – so you can help them out and be a good student."

Teacher Alaina Aleman, who helps train the academic competitors, said the students have become well-rounded through their involvement in the games.

"They are remarkable students, remarkable athletes and pretty competitive," Aleman said.

One of 150 schools competing in Academic Games, St. Scholastica's students have yet to win big in the tournament – but they've never failed to enjoy themselves.

"They're great kids," Nelson said. "They work hard. They have a lot of fun. And I'm really proud of them because they do very well."