FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
February 10, 2010
CONTACT:
Lisa McVey, Communications & Community Relations Liaison, 610-869-2441, ext. 1019
AGIS FIFTH-GRADE KNOWLEDGE MASTER OPEN TEAM FINISHES 1st in STATE AND 10th NATIONWIDE IN JANUARY 20 ACADEMIC COMPETITION
WEST GROVE, Pa. — The Avon Grove Intermediate School fifth-grade Knowledge Master Open (KMO) team placed first in the state out of 14 teams and 10 th out of 223 teams nationwide in the computer-based academic competition held Jan. 20 for fifth- and sixth-graders.
Fifteen fifth-graders in the Academically Talented (AT) program at Avon Grove Intermediate School (AGIS) participated in the competition in which teams earn points by answering multiple-choice questions quickly and accurately. They are Patrick Ahern, Zach DeStefano, Jack Fiala, Caroline Gerwig, Kieran Hannon, William Kephart, Imani Klein, Owen Lucas, Evan Miller, Kai Myran, Isabella Pfaff, Jake Reynolds, Michael Rhodes, Sadie Slavin, and Kyle Stover. Teacher Joan Fenza is the KMO coach.
Students were tested on their knowledge of 15 subject areas: American history, world history, government, recent events, economics & law, geography, literature, English, mathematics, physical science, biology, earth science, health & psychology, fine arts, and trivia.
All teams receive 100 curriculum-based contest questions and compete using a computer at their own schools. A special password starts the contest, which must be completed in one session requiring 1 to 1 1/2 hours for fifth- and sixth-grade teams.
Team size is unlimited. A team may take up to three, five-minute time-outs during the competition. Separate results are prepared for each contest grade level – fifth, sixth, middle school, junior high, and high school.
Communication among team members is encouraged during the competition, but coaches — or audience members if there are any — may give no assistance of any kind. Students may use only pencils and paper during the competition. Other resources such as calculators and books are not permitted.
Avon Grove School District fifth-graders have competed in the Knowledge Master Open each year since 1992. Students have historically scored in the top half nationally.
The event is held twice each year for both secondary and fifth- and sixth-grade teams. AGIS participates in the January competition only. The school does not sponsor a sixth-grade team since one goal of the AT program is to provide a diverse range of enrichment and educational opportunities to inspire, engage and challenge students.
For more information on the Knowledge Master Open see www.greatauk.com
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Last Updated:
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
