2024 Newsletter-USABO 23 Awards & AMC 12 Awards!

<USA Biology Olympiad>

At our STEM & ROOT Academy, we are proud to announce that a total of 23 students have been recognized as awardees in the 2024 USABO. Among them are 7 USABO Semifinalists and 16 recipients of Honorable Mention/Certificate of Merit awards. Congratulations to all 23 students for their achievements!

We established this academy with the aim of providing in-depth education and mentoring to students who are passionate about studying mathematics and science. Our goal is to discover talented students and maximize their potential, nurturing them to become representatives of the United States. Since our inception, we have consistently produced USABO awardees every year, and we are delighted and grateful to see the rapid growth in the number of awardees year after year.

The United States of America Biology Olympiad (USABO) is the most prestigious biology competition for high school students in the United States. Each year, approximately 10% of participants are selected through the first-round open exam (50 minutes, multiple-choice) to qualify for the Semifinal, where they compete for the title of Semifinalist. Students in the top 20% receive an Honorable Mention, and those in the top 30% receive a Certificate of Merit. The second-round Semifinal (120 minutes, multiple-choice/short answer) selects the top 20 finalists. The Semifinal recognition will include Recognition of Academic Excellence (Top 50 scores), Honorable Mention (Next 75 scores), Certificate of Merit (Next 100 scores). Those who rank within the top 20 are invited to attend the USABO Summer Camp held annually in June, where they spend two weeks learning advanced biology theories and experimental methods. Through two rounds of examinations during this period, four students are selected as representatives for the International Biology Olympiad (IBO), held in various countries worldwide in July.

As the Biology Olympiad emphasizes testing of knowledge and understanding of biology rather than deduction and applied problems based on knowledge, innate talent is required to a considerable extent, which makes it less competitive than math contests that require more acquired knowledge. Therefore, the entry barrier is low, but the possibility of winning is high for those who broaden their understanding of biology and accumulate knowledge to prepare for the test. For students who dream of pursuing careers in STEM, biology, or medicine, preparing for the USABO will be a great help in building their knowledge. As competition for admission to top-tier universities, including the Ivy League, becomes more intense, winning at the national level will provide a competitive edge over other students. 

With a passion for biology, a steady study ethic, and a long-term commitment to learning, participating in the USABO can offer an excellent opportunity for students to distinguish themselves in their academic pursuits. We encourage these students to take part in the USABO, and at STEM & ROOT, we pledge steadfast support throughout their journey.

저희 STEM & ROOT Academy에서 올 2024년도 USABO에서 총 23명의 수상자를 배출하게 되었습니다. 7명의 USABO Semifinalists, 16명의 Honorable Mention /Certificate of Merit 수상자, 총 23명의 학생이 좋은 성과를 거두었습니다. 축하합니다!

수학과 과학을 깊이 재미있게 공부하고 싶어하는 학생들에게 심도있는 교육과 멘토링을 제공하고, 재능이 있는 학생을 발굴하여 그 잠재 능력을 최대한 끌어냄으로 미국 국가대표를 육성하고 싶어 학원을 개원하였는데 개원 이래 한 해도 빠짐 없이 5년 연속으로 USABO 수상자를 배출하게 되었고, 해를 거듭 할수록 수상자수가 급속도로 성장하고 있어 기쁘고 감사하게 생각합니다.

미국생물올림피아드(USABO) 는 미국 고등학생을 대상으로 하는 대회들 중 생명과학 관련 미국내 최고 권위의 경시대회입니다. 매년 1차 open exam (50분, 객관식)을 통해 약 10%을 선발하여 Semifinal 시험을 볼 자격을 주고 있고(Semifinalist), 상위 20% 학생들에게는 Honorable Mention을, 상위 30% 학생들에게는 Certificate of Merit 상을 수여하고 있습니다. 2차 Semifinal (120분, 객관식/단답형) 시험에서는 상위 20명의 finalists를 선발합니다. 이 밖에 상위 50명에게는 Recognition of Academic Excellence, 그 다음 상위 75명에게는 Honorable Mention, 그 다음 상위 100명에게는 Certificate of Merit상을 수여합니다. 상위 20위 안에 들게 되면 매년6월 열리는 USABO 여름 캠프에 참가할 수 있게 되며, 2주간 고급 생물학 전반에 대한 이론과 실험 방법 등에 대해서 배우게 됩니다. 이 기간 중 두 차례에 걸친 시험을 치러서, 미국생물올림피아드 대표 4명이 최종 선발되어, 매년 7월 세계 각국을 돌며 열리는 국제 생물올림피아드(IBO)에 출전할 수 있는 자격을 얻게 됩니다.

생물 올림피아드는 현재 지식을 기반한 추론과 응용문제 보다는 생물학에 대한 이해와 지식을 테스트하는 문제들이 상대적으로 많이 출제 되고 있기 때문에, 학문의 특성상 선천적 재능이 상당 부분 요구되는 수학 경시대회보다는 후천적 노력으로 생물학적 이해를 넓히고, 지식을 쌓음으로써 시험에 대비가 가능하고, 경쟁이 상대적으로 덜 치열하기 때문에, 진입 장벽은 낮은데 비해 입상 가능성은 높습니다. 또 이공계, 생물학과, 의약학 관련 진로를 꿈꾸는 학생들에게는 USABO를 준비하는 것 자체만으로도 관련 지식을 탄탄히 하는 데에 큰 도움이 될 것입니다. 아이비리그를 비롯한 상위권 대학의 입시 경쟁이 더욱더 치열해 지는 만큼, 내셔널급 대회 입상 경력은 다른 학생과 차별화된 경쟁력을 갖추는데 많은 도움이 될 것입니다. 생물학에 대한 관심과 흥미, 그리고 장기적으로 꾸준히 공부하고자 하는 마음이 있는 학생이라면 도전해 보길 권합니다. 저희 STEM & ROOT 가 힘써 돕겠습니다.

<American Math Competitions>

We have produced a total of 12 awardees, including 7 AIME (American Invitational Mathematics Examination) qualifiers from the 2023 AMC10/12, and 5 recipients of the Honor Roll/Achievement Roll from the 2024 AMC8! Congratulations!

The Mathematical Association of America (MAA) holds the AMC every year to improve the math abilities of elementary, middle, and high school students in the United States. The AMC, which attracts more than 300,000 students worldwide, is divided into three levels according to the age and grade level of the test taker: AMC 8 (8th grade and below), AMC 10 (10th grade and below), and AMC 12 (12th grade and below).

The AMC 8 is an objective test that requires students to solve 25 multiple-choice questions in 40 minutes, covering a wide range of mathematical topics, such as algebra, number theory, integers, series, geometry, probability, counting, reasoning, and logic. The test demands various abilities, including problem-solving skills, computational skills, comprehension, interpretation, and the ability to convert word problems expressed in sentences into mathematical expressions. Thus, it provides an excellent opportunity to improve overall math skills.

AMC 10/12 is the first contest that selects the US team for the Mathematical Olympiad (USAMO) and is held annually in November. The scope of the AMC 10 is approximately Algebra II, while the scope of the AMC 12 is up to Pre-calculus. The top approximately 7,000 students are invited to take the AIME exam. The top 230 students with the highest combined scores of AMC 10 and AIME are invited to the United States of America Junior Mathematical Olympiad (USAJMO), and the top 270 students with the highest combined scores of AMC 12 and AIME are invited to the United States of America Mathematical Olympiad (USAMO). Through this test, top-performing students from USAJMO and USAMO are selected, and they receive advanced math education and mentoring in the three-week Mathematical Olympiad Program (MOP). Finally, the top six students are selected as representatives of the United States to participate in the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) held annually in various countries.

AMC is not only the most prestigious competition in the United States but also recognized internationally. Universities such as MIT, Caltech, Carnegie Mellon, Yale, and Brown require AMC 10/12 and AIME scores to be included in their applications. Many aspiring students in STEM fields who aim for prestigious universities are aware that high scores on SAT and AP math exams are not enough to differentiate them in the college admissions process. Therefore, AMC and AIME, which evaluate students' math skills comprehensively and their ability to understand mathematical principles and apply them, are considered a critical yardstick in evaluating excellent students' math skills for college admissions. Therefore, the importance of math-related skills and knowledge for taking the AMC cannot be emphasized enough.

At STEM & ROOT Academy, we are dedicated to empowering students who are passionate about mathematics and science to unlock their full potential and attain exceptional results. We enthusiastically welcome students who aspire to challenge themselves in national-level mathematics and science competitions.

2023 AMC에서 7명의 AIME(American Invitational Mathematics Examination) Qualifiers와 2024 AMC8에서 5명의 Honor Roll / Achievement Roll 수상자, 총 12명의 수상자를 배출하게 되었습니다! 축하합니다!

미국수학협회 (The Mathematical Association of America)는 미국 초,중,고교생의 수학능력을 높이기 위해 매년 수학 경시대회 (American Mathematics Competitions; AMC)를 개최하고 있습니다. 전세계적으로 30만명 이상의 학생들이 참가하는 AMC는 수험생의 나이와 학년에 따라 AMC 8 (8학년 이하), AMC 10 (10학년 이하), AMC 12 (12학년 이하) 로 나누어 집니다.

AMC 8은 매년 1월에 치러지며, 40분 동안 25개의 문제를 풀어 내야 하는 객관식 시험입니다. 출제 범위는 대수(Algebra, Number theory, Integers, Series), 기하 (Plane & Spatial Geometry), 확률 및 통계( Counting, probability) , 추론 및 논리 (Reasoning & Logic) 등 수학의 전반을 총망라하며, 문제 해결능력, 계산능력, 이해력, 해석 능력은 물론 word problems과 같이 글로 표현되어 있는 문장을 수학적 수식으로 만들어 내야하는 다양한 능력을 요구하게 되기 때문에, 수학 전반의 실력을 다질 수 있는 좋은 기회를 제공합니다.

AMC 10/12는 본격적으로 미국 수학 올림피아드 (USAMO) 대표팀을 선발하는 첫 번째 대회이며 매년 11월에 열립니다. 출제 범위는 AMC10의 경우 대략 Algebra II, AMC 12의 경우 Pre-calculus 까지이며, AMC 10/12 상위 약 7000명의 학생들을 초대하여 AIME 시험을 치를 수 있는 자격을 부여합니다. AMC10과 AIME 합산 점수 상위 230명은 USAJMO (United States of America Junior Mathematical Olympiad)에, AMC 12와 AIME 합산 점수 상위 270명은 USAMO (United States of America Mathematical Olympiad)에 초대되어 시험을 치르게 됩니다. 이 시험을 통해USAJMO 와 USAMO 의 상위권 학생들을 선발, 3주간의 MOP (Mathematical Olympiad Program)에서 고급 수학을 교육하고 멘토링을 제공한 후, 최종적으로 상위 6명을 선발하여, 매년 각국에서 열리는 국제 수학 올림피아드 (IMO)에 미국 국가대표로 참가할 수 있는 자격을 부여하게 됩니다.

MIT, Caltech, Carnegie Mellon, Yale, Brown 대학의 경우, AMC 10/12와 AIME 점수를 필수로 원서에 기입하도록 되어 있을 정도로, AMC는 미국에서 가장 공신력이 있는 경시 대회일 뿐만 아니라 국제적으로도 그 권위를 인정받고 있습니다. 명문대를 목표로 하는 이공계 지망 학생들의 상당수가, SAT와 AP 수학에서 고득점을 받고 있어, 대학 입학 사정 과정에서 변별력이 떨어지는 상황임을 모두 알고 계실 것입니다. 수학 원리를 이해하고, 여러 수학 원리를 종합적으로 적용할 수 있는 깊은 사고력을 가진 학생들이 좋은 성적을 받을 수 있는 AMC와 AIME가 대학입학시 우수한 학생들의 수학 실력을 평가하는데 있어서 아주 중요한 잣대로 사용되고 있는 것은 너무도 당연합니다. 따라서 수학 분야와 관련한 가장 권위있는 활동 중 하나인 AMC 10/12와 AIME 을 준비하는 것은, 그 우수성을 인정받을 수 있기 때문에, 더 이상 옵션이 아닌 필수가 되어가고 있는 실정입니다. 뿐만 아니라 많은 AMC 문제들이 한가지 이상의 다양한 풀이 방법으로 접근 할 수 있기 때문에, AMC를 배우고 준비하는 과정 자체만으로도 종합적이고, 논리적 사고력을 훈련받을 수 있는 귀중한 경험이 될 것입니다. 저희 STEM & ROOT Academy는 수학과 과학에 흥미와 관심을 가진 학생들이 본인의 잠재 능력을 최대한 끌어 올려 좋은 성과를 거둘 수 있도록 힘써 돕고 있습니다. 내셔널급 수학 과학 경시대회에 도전을 원하는 학생들의 많은 관심을 부탁드립니다.

Founder & Executive Lecturer

John Kim