More than 100 girls participated in the first Catalan Women's Mathematical Olympiad, OMCaF, a day to promote awareness and visibility of girls' interest in mathematics. The event, organized by the SCM and the universities UPC, UAB, and UB, took place on Saturday, January 20, at the Faculty of Mathematics and Statistics (FME) of the UPC, lasting all day with a series of recreational and academic activities.
At the start of the day, the girls spent three hours solving math problems that require thinking and explaining and justifying arguments, as highlighted by one of the girls interviewed by TV3.
Once finished, the presentation of the day was held in the auditorium. The dean of the FME, Jordi Guàrdia, thanked the reception of this first Olympiad: «It is very difficult to fill this room, and when it happens, there are usually not many women. Today it is a pride and a satisfaction to see all of you here«.
Next, it was the turn of the president of the Catalan Society of Mathematics, Montserrat Alsina, who encouraged the young women to keep moving forward: «Hopefully the
Women's Mathematical Olympiad will not last many years. Because what we women want is not to need special activities because we are already everywhere«.
Afterwards, the other members of the organizing committee briefly presented a dozen young Catalan mathematicians as role models for the new generations, with whom the students were then able to share lunch, resolving doubts and questions about their academic or professional lives.
In the afternoon, it was time for the more recreational part of the day. First, a paper folding workshop led by’Eulàlia Tramuns, where the students were able to create their own «Mathematical Women's Flexagon». Then, a hot chocolate break to gain strength to overcome the «Impossible Challenge», a game based on lateral and mathematical thinking, which highlighted teamwork and communication.
Finally, the closing ceremony took place with the awarding of diplomas to all participants and medals to the winners.
The three gold medals went to:
1st Ekaterina Leksina (2nd year of high school)
2nd Maria Bugrim (2nd year of high school)
3rd Eulàlia Gaya Bretones (1st year of high school)
The three silver medals went to:
1st Dina Markhovskaya (1st year of high school)
2nd Vera Morancho Bargas (4th year of ESO)
3rd Maria Borrell Ferrero (1st year of high school)
The three bronze medals went to:
1st Regina Jiménez Borrell (1st year of high school)
2nd Alba Jarrett Rodellar (1st year of high school)
3rd Candela Osberger Serrano (2nd year of high school)
There were also 5 special mentions for:
Nerea Garcia Navarro (2nd year of ESO)
Sara Guitart Alabart (2nd year of high school)
Judith Bonillo Laso (2nd year of ESO)
Abril Junyent Elorza (2nd year of high school)
Aileen Sangalli (2nd year of high school)
In the reading of the jury's minutes, Mr. Josep Grané noted that the winner, Ekaterina Leksina, had obtained the highest score, with the correct resolution of all problems.
Watch the winner's medal ceremony!
Why the Catalan Women's Mathematical Olympiad?
Currently, the number of girls in the field of mathematics has decreased considerably, and actions are being promoted everywhere to motivate them, offer support, and preparation.
In this context, the SCM considers the promotion of female talent as an important strategic line, and we raised this at the meeting called at the beginning of the 2023-24 academic year with all entities related to mathematics in Catalonia, including university departments and faculties of mathematics and mathematics education, and associations of teachers or outreach.
The analysis of data, and other initiatives that have created a favorable environment for the development of female talent, showed that the participation of girls in general competitions could be increased to make their talent visible and grow the number of role models. In particular, the participation of girls in the Catalan Mathematical Olympiad is around 11%. It should be noted that since 2012, apart from the International Mathematical Olympiad IMO, there is the European Girls’ Mathematical Olympiad (EGMO).
Thus, the OMCaF is an initiative to encourage girls to explore the exciting world of mathematics in a different way, to participate in problem-solving tests like the mathematical olympiad, to meet real-life women mathematicians with various professional tasks, and also to share the experience with other girls like them with an interest in mathematics.
From direct contact with the girls, we can affirm that these objectives were met with great success!
