"Be the Stars" at the Florida APH Abacus Math Bee
September 15, 2023
A regional event of “The Abacus Bee” a national program of American Printing House
School Board of Brevard County
Educational Services Facility
2700 Judge Fran Jamieson Way
Viera, FL 32940
Accommodations
A room block is reserved at Hampton Inn Melbourne-Viera for September 14, 2023 through September 15, 2023. Booking your room is simple, just select "Book a Room" to receive your group's preferred rate at Abacus Bee (hilton.com). Note, if you are eligible for the AAA or government rate, you may receive a better discount.
What is an Abacus Bee?
- A math competition using an abacus, mental math, finger math, or counting cubes/manipulatives to compute multiple problems in a designated timeframe
- An abacus is not required to participate
- 4-6 testing rounds of competition will take place depending on skill level
- Some rounds will require students to read math problems in print/braille and solve on the abacus or using mental math
- The dictation round will consist of problems being read aloud while students compute on the abacus or mental math and then record the final answer
- Hands-on exploration and activities related to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) concepts for students and their family members
- T-shirt and goody bag for participating students
- Lunch for everyone registered
- Workshop for parents and family members to help better prepare students for STEM instruction and learning
- Awards Ceremony with certificates and token for all student competitors and prizes for top three scorers at each level
- High expectations for our students!
What skills do students need?
- Read math problems in large print or braille (type of problem depends on student level). Record their answers in print or braille.
- Write or braille their first/last name, category name and round at the top of each page (if they can only spell their name, that’s fine, we can work with them).
- Write or braille an itemized list (problem letters a, b, c, d, etc.) and answer next to the problem letter.
- For the dictation round, listen to a string of numbers and operations and have to mentally calculate the answer or solve on the abacus and record their answers in the same manner as above.
- Mental math can be used. An abacus is not required.
Student Registration
Due: August 25, 2023
- Administer the placement test to determine your student's level
- Placement Test Directions for teacher
Placement Test Answers for teacher - Placement Test: Print | Nemeth | UEB to print or emboss for students
- Placement Test Directions for teacher
- Download the registration form and APH Photo Release to register a student for the Abacus Bee.
- Sign in ink and return to Sue Glaser via scan/email by August 25, 2023
Who is invited?
- K-12 students with visual impairments who use an abacus, mental math, finger math, counting cubes/manipulatives
- Parents and family members
- Children not competing can participate in workshop and fun activities with family
- Teachers of the visually impaired, paraprofessionals, administrators, district staff, vendors, volunteers, etc. who are available to assist
Adult Registration
Due: September 1, 2023
- Register here if you are a teacher, parent, guardian, family member, administrator, paraprofessional, vendor, volunteer, etc. who plans to attend the event. Everyone must be registered in order to attend.
See “Student Registration” to register your student for the competition.
How can students be prepared?
- Provide the official Practice Exams
- From APH, Watch ExCEL Summer Camp Webinars on “Abaci and Oreos” from 2022.
- Teachers, parents, students can register for APH’s summer webinar on how to use the new Practice2Master abacus app. Practice2Master Abacus is available for free through the App Store or Google Play store.
- Practice calculating math problems using an abacus on their own, with a family member, or with a TVI.
- Keep their mental math skills sharp with real life practice every day.