Ewing Middle School sixth-grade students have already worked 265,000 math problems this school year using an instructional technology product called First in Math. Ewing Middle has been ranked as high as 90th nationally in a math problem-solving competition organized by the company Hart Inc. A national ranking and solving 265,000 math problems were the last thing Ewing Middle School Principal Dr. Denise Wooten expected when she introduced a new math product in September.

A “First in Math” computer program has spawned a friendly competition and resulted in students spending more than 500 hours on computers, working math problems.

Ewing Middle has been ranked as high as 90th nationally in a math problem-solving competition using “First in Math.”

The instructional technology product has resulted in sixth grade students coming to school early on Wednesday mornings and working on math problems at home.

“Rankings change daily, based on the number of problems worked by students. Ewing falls in and out of the top 100 of the national ranking,” Wooten said. “What I like best about it is that our students are enjoying math and are able to progress at their own pace.”

Wooten learned about the math program when she struck up a conversation with Hart Inc. representative Paul Holdredge at an administrators leadership conference. The Asheville, N.C., company was interested in bringing its “First in Math” program into Upstate schools.

“I was interested in trying something new to help improve our students’ math skills,” Wooten said. “It is an online program that provides students with practice in the fundamentals of math, but it also has activities which promote higherorder thinking skills.”

A former math teacher, Wooten looks forward to seeing how the extra practice improves students’ math skills during the school year. She has already seen how “First in Math” has tapped into her students’ natural competitive streak and interest in learning.

“Similar to popular video games, students earn virtual award stickers toward their personal and team score,” Wooten said. “Players and teams are ranked by school, district, state, and nationally. Competition builds excitement, and the team dynamic is very powerful.”