“Where do we use Mathematics?” or “What is the practical implementation of Mathematics?” At least once, all of us might have raised this question. Where has your curiosity drove you? For us, mathematics is everywhere: the twisting coffee steam, the stretching of shadows, and the rhythm of rain tapping Morse code on our roofs.

Have you ever thought traffic jams could use some chaos theory? Have you wondered why your playlist feels right or how fireflies throw a quiet coordinated dance? At JMOC, we promote these wonderful thoughts. It isn’t about dusty textbooks but your backstage pass to life’s hidden logic. We’ll show you how to read the universe’s language, the ones scribbled in geometry on spiderwebs, calculus in roller coaster drops, and probability in your dog’s nap time gymnastics.

Following is a report of the Junior Mathematics Olympiad Camp 2024-25.

JMOC 2024-25

The Junior Mathematics Olympiad Camp (JMOC) 2024-25 commenced on 17 November 2024 with an Orientation session. This year, we received 34 registrations from grades 8-10. Upholding our commitment to making learning accessible, we exempted the registration fee for 3 of the applicants who demonstrated financial need during registration. Over the course of three months, 13 students who showed continued interest in learning graduated JMOC 2024-25 on 1 February 2025 with an Award Distribution Ceremony.

What is JMOC?

Junior Mathematics Olympiad Camp (JMOC) is an annual, two-month-long, virtual camp organized by the Mathematics Initiative in Nepal (MIN) for Grades 6 to 10 students. At JMOC, we offer the foundational education and guidance to the students to prepare them for international olympiads and competitions in Mathematics. In the process, our outstanding participants explore the endless possibilities of Mathematics with the accomplished mentors (including participants and awardees at the International Mathematical Olympiad), increasing their interest in Mathematics.

Why JMOC?

JMOC is not just a 2-3 month program focusing only on theoretical knowledge. At JMOC our tutors emphasize on building critical thinking ability of aspirants by helping them via different methods. In JOMC we focus mainly on making the aspirants understand different and difficult topics of mathematics in an easy and simple way. Our tutors have been and will always be there to reach out for the student in need of help. Rather than a teacher student relation our tutors believe in being friends with the aspirants and helping them from a level they are comfortable with.

At JMOC we also emphasize on the mental health of aspirants and to maintain balance between studies and mental wellbeing we organize ‘Game Night’ where our mentors and aspirants enjoy their time at weekend from a game of mathematics to the game for fun. 

At JMOC you will be also tested each week with some questions which will help you to determine the pace of your studies and according to that our mentors will be always open to help you in any problems.

JMOC is a niche initiative that helps young minds unlock their full potential in the understanding of mathematics and implement it onto the sheets of Olympiads. The question might arise to you about Olympiads like “What is an Olympiad”

Camp Structure

Our online camp followed a structured routine. Participants accessed lectures and assignments every Sunday and Wednesday and attended discussion sessions every Tuesday and Friday. Lectures were pre-recorded by our extremely talented group of mentors. Assignments were designed to apply the concepts learned via the lectures. Discussion sessions offered a space to the participants to clear their doubts. Additionally, we hosted multiple game nights on Saturdays to enhance networking and collaboration among the participants.

Mentors

Following are the eight mentors who helped the participants learn exciting mathematical concepts:

What is an Olympiad?

The general definition goes like this “A kind of competitive exam, held across schools, to tap exceptional students with the best of potential, talent, aptitude, and IQ.”

But let’s get simple, Olympiads are like the ‘Olympics’ but instead of players of sport, the aspirants having sharp skills in a certain field of educational topic from all around the globe participate. For example, “Mathematics Olympiad is an Olympiad where the young aspirants below 20 years old from all around the globe come together compete in a competition to solve a difficult math problem while representing their nation”.

For the past 8 years Nepal has also been participating in the International Mathematical Olympiad. Although Nepal participated in IMO (International Mathematical Olympiad)  for the first time in 2017, It has managed to gain a couple of honorable mentions in recent years. A recent example of it would be, 

“Ms. Swikriti Acharya receiving honorable mention at IMO 2023”

(Fun fact: Ms. Swikriti Acharya was one of the mentors in JMOC 2024 who taught the young minds about algebra)

To represent Nepal in the International Stage, aspirants must go through selection exams like DMO (District Level

Mathematics Olympiad), PMO (Province Level Mathematics Olympiad) and NMO (National Level Mathematics Olympiad) also there are sub-selection exams too following the main exams. So in order to teach Aspirants on how to crack the Olympiads and also to teach them about mathematics in fun, We are here with our JMOC.

Testimony

Mr. Chhabi Dhungana (General Secretary, Mathematical Association of Nepal)

“Mathematics Initiatives in Nepal is doing a great work by providing directions to the current aspirants who will play the role of future candidates for representing Nepal.”

Rojan Dangol (Mentor, JMOC 2024-25)

“Since I handle some combinatorics, and give extra lectures in number theory, it went fine for me. I got the opportunity to teach what I have been wanting to teach in number theory. ”

-Rojan Dangol (Mentor)

“The experience was very nice. I was fortunate to meet a lot of talented students.”

-Sakul Khatri (Mentor)

Eroj Nepal (Gold Honour, JMOC 2024-25)

“My JMOC journey was like a kick start for my future Olympiads. JMOC is a once in a lifetime type of experience because of so many things I learned here during the 82 days.”

Ira K.C. (Gold Honour, JMOC 2024-25)

“My experience was honestly amazing. Got to learn a lot of new things and met a bunch of like-minded people. The mentors were also very cooperative and patient, loved every minute of it!”

Looking Ahead

If this sparked the flame of learning math and representing the country at the biggest stage of mathematics competitive exam, then feel free to join us to make the flame brighter.

Look out for our next JMOC date and mark your calendar as the new journey of fun begins with the flame of mathematics and we are here to support you.

(For further inquiry or information you can contact us from the information provided below.)

Authors: Himangsu Adhikari, Sushant Pandey
Edited by: Atith Adhikari