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SKET Seeks Part-Time Graders
We are now accepting applications for the position of grader for the 2019-2020 season. 

The trust is seeking part-time graders in India for a year-round non-profit mathematical Olympiad correspondence program for elementary and middle school children. Graders will be paid a suitable honorarium. Deep interest in mathematics, the pedagogy of teaching problem solving, and relevant experience, a must. Please use the email link above to respond.

Job Description: The Background

For over a hundred years, an exceptional program in Hungary has developed innumerable mathematicians, engineers, and scientists. A program inspired by this, in the U.S., has been of great benefit to the trustees, who wish to sponsor its introduction in India. Our goal is very simple - to inculcate a love of mathematical thinking in children. The program is non-profit.

The core of the program is that students are encouraged to solve monthly mathematical problems that require ingenuity and thinking rather than rote technique. They submit solutions that are graded, and receive recognition at the end of the year for their efforts. While the problems are posed monthly, the solutions may be turned in at any time during the program. Initially all this happened by postal mail, but e-mail has now proved to be especially well suited for this.

An unusual aspect of the program is that solutions are not distributed automatically. Rather, when a student makes a serious attempt at a solution, the grader provides sufficient feedback for the student to try again and take the solution forward. This can happen several times until the student reaches the final solution. This approach is especially effective in inculcating research skills early. Further, many problems lend themselves to multiple solutions, and the student is given extra credit for finding these. The role of the grader is therefore very critical to the success of the students and the program.

Perhaps unique is the target age of the students. The program accepts students from the third through the eight grades, ages eight through fourteen. In fact, in our experience, the dramatic effects of the program are especially striking in the younger students. Again, it should be obvious that the quality of the grading is extremely important, particularly for younger children.

Some Sample Problems

  • A1. Out of the numbers {1, 2, 3, …, 100} pick out as many as possible so that if you have picked two particular numbers, you have not picked their sum. For instance, if you pick 4 and 6, you cannot pick 10.
  • A2. Axa, Bora, and Cody are aliens from a planet where some always say the truth and others always lie. The earthling asked Axa "Are you a truthful guy?". But nobody understood his answer. So he asked Cody, "What did Axa say?". Cody said that Axa said 'No'. But Bora piped up and said, "Do not believe Cody, he is a liar". Who are the truthful aliens?
  • B1. Write different positive whole numbers on the stones of the pyramid to the right so that each number is the sum of the two numbers directly beneath it, and the number on top is the smallest possible. 
  • B2. How many days are there in a year where the number of the day is divisible by the number of the month?
  • C1. The sum of the squares of the digits of a positive whole number is 50, and the digits all increase left to right. Find all such numbers.
  • C2. Find the smallest possible even number that can be written as the sum of two prime numbers in five different ways.



The Role

We are seeking graders in India to grade submissions from students. Each month, the graders will first solve the problems themselves, check their solutions against the official ones, and understand the scoring criteria. It is important that the graders respond promptly to submissions from students, and provide helpful feedback as necessary. Since there are no deadlines for submission, often, the volume of submissions tends to increase towards the end, especially in April. All this will happen via e-mail.

We do expect to provide a nominal and fair compensation for your work. This is however a non-profit program, and we therefore expect this to be especially attractive for those to whom ideals are very important, and whose ideals coincide with our goals. 

The Ideal Candidate

We envisage two sets of individuals who might enjoy this role. First, a current M.S./Ph.D. candidate in mathematics or related fields in an Indian university, who intends to enter teaching as a career, and is passionate about spreading a love of mathematics among young children, would find this a great opportunity to gain relevant experience and contribute back to the subject. Exceptionally talented undergraduates may also find this rewarding.

Second, retired faculty in these areas looking to engage with young students and pass along their wisdom would find this fulfilling.

How to Apply

  • Please send us a brief summary of your pertinent qualifications and experience, and nature of interest in the position. The sample problems should help you decide the match with your interests.
  • Please confirm that you meet some essential requirements:
    • You have regular access to email.
    • Your availability from September  through May .
    • Approximate number of hours every week that you will be available (at least four).
  • Please indicate your desired compensation per hour.
  • Please suggest what you would consider exemplary solutions to the sample problems.
  • Include any thoughts on where you think students might stumble on these, and how you could help.
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