The “New Kid” in School Finds Way to Fit in as a MATH SCHOLAR!

How does “the new kid” at an elementary school find a way to fit in and make new friends? For Basil Cosmopoulos, setting two world records in the MATH FACT SCHOLARS program made him one of the most recognized and respected kids at his new elementary school.

As a first grader, Basil set his ‘first’ world record in April of 2011, by completing the first four skill levels in the program in record time…105 timed tests covering single-digit and multi-digit addition, subtraction, multiplication and long division in just 27, 30-minute testing sessions.

Basil, or Baz, as he is known to all his friends, a 2nd grader at Mason Ridge Elementary School in Town & Country, amazed his school mates again by setting a new world record for being the youngest student to complete all 7 skill levels in the MATH FACT SCHOLARS program. On May 4, 2012, Basil completed the last of the 180 tests in the weekly math program that time tested his skills with basic addition, subtraction, multiplication and division, to adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing fractions and decimals, and working with percentages; calculating discounts, sales tax, gratuity, and much more.

To set this new world record, a desire and commitment to repeatedly practice newly acquired math skills was essential, but little hands had to write quickly too. For the last test in the 7th level of the program, the Olympian Series-Percent Level, Baz had 3 minutes to convert 50 fractions to their decimal and percentage equivalents. With just seconds remaining, he did it and was awarded the 13” Olympian Series – Percent Level trophy in a special ceremony in front of his peers and the parent volunteers that implement the weekly program at Mason Ridge.

Baz earned three medals, four trophies, and now has two MATH FACT SCHOLARS world record certificates hanging on the achievement bulletin board at Mason Ridge, confirming his successful completion of testing requirements for all seven levels in the program. When school starts up again in mid-August, Baz will become an official MATH FACT SCHOLARS Ambassador, where he will volunteer to help grade tests for the other 154 Mason Ridge students enrolled in the program so they can achieve their math achievement goals too!

Below are the excerpts of an interview with Basil and his parents, Michael and Deborah Cosmopoulos: 2nd grader, Basil Cosmopoulos, presented with his MATH FACT SCHOLARS World Record certificate for being the youngest student to complete all 7 levels in the math skills program.

Excerpts from interview with 2nd grader, Basil Cosmopoulos:

What did you like about MATH FACT SCHOLARS when you first started testing in the program in 1st grade?

“It had a lot of math! I liked challenging myself to get more tests done each week.”

At what point did you realize that you had a passion for excelling in mathematics?

“When I got the silver medal. The math came to me easily and I liked it.” (Basil completed the Silver Medal Level, covering multiplication and division facts, during his first few months as a 1st grader.)

At what point did you decide you wanted to set a new MATH FACT SCHOLARS World Record?

“After I earned the Bronze medal, I looked at the MATH FACT SCHOLARS achievement bulletin board and saw that some kids had world records, and I made it my goal to achieve that.”

How much time did you spend practicing in the MATH FACT SCHOLARS workbooks to reach your goals?

“I didn’t practice every day because some days I had lots of other homework, or other things I needed to do. But I think I spent about 1-3 hours a week practicing depending on how hard the next few tests were.”

How do you feel being involved in MATH FACT SCHOLARS has affected your life?

“I learned a lot of math! Also, I learned how to concentrate. I found that I could read, and focus on other things longer during the program.”

Prior to enrolling in the MATH FACT SCHOLARS program at Mason Ridge Elementary School, had you ever attended any other math tutoring courses?

“Not even one!”

How have your efforts and successes in MATH FACT SCHOLARS transferred to other areas in your life?

“Well, I am usually a quiet guy and I didn’t know a lot of other kids because I started at Mason Ridge in 1st grade. It felt good to be recognized, and meet other kids in the program.”

Do you have plans to break any other world records?

“Well, it was fun working towards this record, and I must have taken all the Guinness World Books out of the library because I find all of that interesting too. But I would have to find something that I could do. There are a lot of crazy records out there! I wouldn’t want to grow my nails or lift trucks or anything. But if it involves math, I’m in.”

What do you want to be when you grow up?

“A nuclear physicist. I like the technology part of it, making medical equipment, energy solutions, and all that. I have recently gotten interested in robotics too.”

Excerpts from interview with Basil’s parents – Michael Cosmopoulos and Deborah Ruscillo Cosmopoulos:

Why did you have Basil participate in the MATH FACT SCHOLARS before school math testing program when he first enrolled at Mason Ridge as a 1st grader?

“He always was good in math; even in preschool he was working out adding and subtracting problems in his head, and kept asking for more problems to solve.”

When did you notice Basil’s passion for taking the weekly math tests?

“Right away! He would come home and ask to do math while his brother and sister were playing with toys. Another sign, I think it was the third week of testing in Grade 1, Basil had tonsillitis and didn’t go to school, and we remember how much he lamented missing his weekly testing session of MATH FACT SCHOLARS.”

How did the MATH FACT SCHOLARS program benefit Basil?

“We did notice how his concentration improved in all his studies, especially reading. That may in part be because he is maturing (and because he has learned that he likes reading chapter books), but we don’t think that it is a coincidence that the discipline required to study math and learn the material in short increments of time extended to other areas of study as well. We also have noticed an increase in his self-confidence.”