Exploring Math Together: The Kangaroo Math Competition 2026

by Esther Wittstock

The "Känguru-Wettbewerb der Mathematik" is one of the largest mathematics competitions worldwide. Each year, several million students from more than 80 countries take part. Its aim is to foster enjoyment in problem-solving, logical thinking, and tackling puzzles—without pressure, but with plenty of enthusiasm for mathematics.

On Thursday, March 19, the competition also took place at our school—in a very special format this year. For the first time, the event was held centrally in the auditorium. This new setup created a unique atmosphere, allowing all participants to experience the excitement of the competition together.

Around 100 mathematically enthusiastic students had registered in advance. To ensure a smooth process, they were divided into two groups: first, the primary school students took on the challenging problems, followed by the secondary school students. The group was diverse—ranging from younger to older students, from experienced problem-solvers to curious newcomers.

For the younger students in particular, the competition was a real challenge: 75 minutes of focused work on tricky problems requires stamina, concentration, and perseverance. With short “brain breaks” in between—such as jumping jacks or small movement exercises—they successfully stayed focused and worked through the tasks with great commitment.

One student described her experience as follows:

“I look forward to the Kangaroo Competition every year. I’m actually not that good at math, but I really enjoy the problems because they are more about logical thinking than calculation.”

Now everyone is eagerly awaiting the results from Germany. Perhaps someone from our school will be among the top performers! However, for us, the results are not the only thing that matters. What truly counts is the willingness to take on a challenge, the motivation to go the extra mile, and, above all, the joy of engaging with mathematics.

The ability to concentrate for an extended period is especially valuable for younger students and serves as excellent preparation for the academic demands of secondary school.

To further recognize the students’ efforts, internal school prizes will be awarded this year to the top participants in each grade level. The award ceremony will take place after the Easter holidays.

We are proud of all participants and are already looking forward to next year’s competition! 🦘