THE 2023 YOUNG MATHEMATICAL STORY AUTHORS (YMSA)
COMPETITION
THE STUART J. MURPHY AWARD
(THE 8-11 YEARS OLD CATEGORY)
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With 455 entries from 53 schools and homeschooling sites across 12 countries to judge, the Stuart J. Murphy Award (the 8-11 years old category) is very competitive this year.
The competition is also very inclusive with 251 female students and 203 male students (as well as one undisclosed-gender student) participated.
Many congratulations to the authors of the winning, shortlisted and longlisted entries! The winner receives £100 and their school another £100. The Award is generously funded by HarperCollins.
You can read these talented authors' mathematical stories, their inspiration for the stories, and the judges' comments below.
Feel free to share their works on social media using the #YMSAMaths hashtag.
We would like to thank all the authors for taking part in this year's YMSA competition and to their schools (and parents) for encouraging them to participate in the competition. Below is the list of this year's participating schools (and homeschooling sites) for this age category.
Athelstan Primary School (UK)
Bawtry Mayflower Primary School (UK)
Bournebrook Church of England Primary School (UK)
Brooklands Farm Primary School (UK)
Bucklands Beach Intermediate (New Zealand)
Charters School (UK)
Chigwell School (UK)
Cokethorpe Prep (UK)
Downsway Primary School (UK)
Dringhouses Primary School (UK)
Dulwich College Beijing (China)
Fulton Science Academy (Georgia, USA)
Glenarden Woods Elementary (Maryland, USA)
Great Bookham School (UK)
Harrow International School Bangkok (Thailand)
International School Nanshan Shenzhen (China)
Irlam Primary School (UK)
Krishna Avanti (UK)
Laxton Junior School (UK)
Lordswood School (UK)
Needwood Primary School (UK)
Newcastle High School for Girls (UK)
Northside Primary School (UK)
North West London Jewish Day School (UK)
Oberoi International School JVLR (India)
Parkgate House School (UK)
Penwortham Primary (UK)
PEP School V2 (India)
Pinewood School (UK)
Plasnewydd Primary School (UK)
Radyr Primary School (UK)
RGS Prep School (UK)
Ryvers School Langley (UK)
Sacred Heart School (Malta)
Selside School (UK)
Sharafuddin School (Maldives)
Silver Oaks International School (India)
South Green Juniors (UK)
St Andrew’s Primary School (UK)
St Benedict’s Catholic Primary School (UK)
St Bernadette’s Catholic Primary School (UK)
St Christopher’s School (UK)
St Gabriel’s Primary School (UK)
St George’s British International School, Rome (Italy)
St Ives Public School (Australia)
St James Preparatory School (UK)
Taipei European School (Taiwan)
The British School of Milan (Italy)
The Hall School (UK)
Trinity Primary School (UK)
Homeschooling (Canada)
Homeschooling (India)
Homeschooling (UK)
If you want to learn more about the winning, shortlisted and longlisted entries of our 2023 Cindy Neuschwander Award (the 12-15 years old category), click here.
If you want to learn more about our upcoming 2024 competition, click here.
If you want to learn more about our 2022 competition, click here.
If you want to learn more about our 2021 competition, click here.
If you want to learn more about our 2020 competition, click here.
If you want to learn more about our 2019 competition, click here.
WINNER
'When in Doubt, Divide It Out' by Samara Dhankar (9 years old)
at Oberoi International School JVLR (India)
'When in Doubt, Divide It Out' by Samara Dhankar (9 years old)
at Oberoi International School JVLR (India)
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What the judges say: "Congratulations, Samara, on being chosen the winner of the 2023 Stuart J. Murphy Award. Your story, 'When in Doubt, Shout It Out', is an ambitious and remarkable achievement. It is ambitious in that it carefully presents a variety of division problem-solving situations, including division with remainders, all supported by excellent visual models. Through these representations and the descriptive storyline, the reader is given the opportunity to better understand how division works. It is remarkable because all this happens within the context of a complex story that deals with many social issues, including equality regardless of gender, race, religion, or ethnic background, the sharing of resources, and happiness. Miriam, the protagonist of the story, has a Greek mother and Lebanese father, and the other families that live and work together in a town called Dividior include people from Africa, Lebanon, Japan, and England, among others. The situations are creatively and comfortably intertwined so the division problems seem natural, whether the characters are dividing up food, seats on a bus, or even weapons. We enjoyed reading your story, Samara, and are very pleased that you are this year’s winner." |
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What the author says: "‘When in Doubt, Divide It Out’ is a story of Power of Division as I wanted to show how this essential concept can help the world become a peaceful place if we equally and fairly share our resources. I was delighted to be given an opportunity to create a story that teaches about fairness and unity through a mathematical concept. The story is inspired by the plight of refugees who have to flee their adored homeland due to conflict and war. The character “Mariam”, a girl who left her town due to Dragons’ attack, is the voice of several refugee children pining for their home. I would like to encourage every student to participate in the Young Mathematical Story Authors competition. This is because when you are creating a mathematical story picture book, not only do you learn more about Mathematics yourself by having to think of how to explain mathematical concepts to your readers and how to visualise mathematical concepts for them through page illustrations, but you also get the chance to create a phenomenal story with important key messages." |
SHORTLISTED
'Venn Diagram School' by Anzu Chaichanavong (8 years old)
at Harrow International School Bangkok (Thailand)
'Venn Diagram School' by Anzu Chaichanavong (8 years old)
at Harrow International School Bangkok (Thailand)
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What the judges say: "This is a very innovative approach to showing how Venn Diagrams work, Anzu. The fact that the Venn Diagram School is designed to work like a Venn Diagram is very clever, with students being sorted by circles, stripes or both. This carefully constructed story helps readers understand the important mathematical skills of sorting and classification by specific attributes. It was nice to see that a second example was provided, this one with the students being sorted by blue, tall, or both. The storyline reads well and feels both authentic and age appropriate. In your biography, it says that you want to be an author, Anzu. We think you are well on your way!" |
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What the author says: "The inspiration for my mathematical story was my own time at school, and I really like sorting things so that made me think of a Venn Diagram! I really enjoyed creating my story and that the characters were helping each other. It made me think about how we sort things in Maths and how to use Venn Diagrams properly. My favourite subject is English, and this made me really excited because when I am older, I want to become an author. I think other children should take part in the Young Mathematical Story Authors competition and create mathematical story picture books because it allows you to develop your Maths and English/literacy skills at the same time." |
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What the judges say: "The context you have created for demonstrating a variety of angles is both creative and unique, Emily. The protagonist of the story, a girl named Rosie, has a series of misadventures that leave her stranded on an island and in need of help. The Angle Tribe, creatures that include a right angel, an acute angle, and an obtuse angle, come to rescue Rosie by building a wheelchair for her so she can return home. The construction process takes the reader through angles of various degrees, all carefully labeled in the useful diagrams. The final angel goes up to 360 degrees to make a full circle. Nice job, Emily!" |
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What the author says: "I am so excited and proud that my mathematical story was shortlisted this year. I really wanted to create a story that encouraged people to read and also to learn about maths. The reason I chose to write about angles is because I found them quite hard at first but I kept persevering until I could do it and making a story about it might help someone else who is finding it tricky. I love drawing, story writing and I am working hard to be better at maths, so this was a really good opportunity for me. I think many more students should take part in the Young Mathematical Story Authors competition because it is a really creative and fun way to think about maths. It helps other people which is something we all need to do." |
SHORTLISTED
'Our Pizza Day!' by Vihaan Jain (10 years old)
at Oberoi International School JVLR (India)
'Our Pizza Day!' by Vihaan Jain (10 years old)
at Oberoi International School JVLR (India)
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What the judges say: "You took on quite a task, Vihaan. Explaining mathematical concepts that include lowest common denominator, prime and composite numbers, and prime factorization, all within a story about finding a common day for a group of friends to meet for pizza was a big challenge. Using the main character’s expertise in these topics to carefully explain each step to his friends works well as a device for assisting readers to better understand these concepts. The visual displays include voice balloons, tables, and a color-coded diagram help to get each point across. The ending is very satisfying when the friends learn that they will all be getting together for pizza every 72 days. Nicely accomplished, Vihaan!" |
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What the author says: "I was inspired to write ‘Our Pizza Day’ for my love of pizza, maths and my friends. It was fun and engaging for me to write this story. In the process of creating this mathematical story picture book, I learnt newer concepts in maths as well as the different ways to find out the L.C.M of multiple numbers. The final structure of the story was formed after writing 3-4 rough drafts, so it also helped me with my language skills as well. I would like to encourage students from different countries to take part in the Young Mathematical Story Authors (YMSA) competition, as participating in the competition taught me things I would not have looked into before, for example, it helped me understand and apply mathematical concepts more clearly and more meaningfully. Give it a try, and I hope my story inspires you to participate in the next YMSA competition!" |
SHORTLISTED
'Are you equivalent, proper, improper or mixed?' by Olivia Joyce (9 years old)
at Laxton Junior School (UK)
'Are you equivalent, proper, improper or mixed?' by Olivia Joyce (9 years old)
at Laxton Junior School (UK)
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What the judges say: "What a clever setting for a story about fractions, Olivia. The students in a class at the International School of Fractions are getting ready to line up by height for their class photo. Their teacher, Miss One Whole, is the height of one whole unit. The students are all fractions, and those are indicated on their shirts. Problem-solving opportunities are on full display as the students attempt to simplify their fractions and determine their own heights in relation to their classmates. The buildup in complexity works smoothly, with the final problem requiring finding the common denominator of three fractions. The visual models are correctly labeled throughout and very well done. Excellent work, Olivia!" |
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What the author says: "When I first started thinking about my mathematical story idea, we were learning about equivalent fractions at school. I found the idea that fractions can be the same, but different, fascinating. My story is about one class of fractions who are trying to get into height order, and it proves more difficult than first anticipated! I would like to encourage other students to take part in the Young Mathematical Story Authors competition as I really enjoyed the process of writing this mathematical story and of creating page illustrations to explain mathematical concepts visually. Through this experience, I was able to use and develop my mathematical, language and creative skills together." |
SHORTLISTED
'Food Fraction' by Putri Azzahra (9 years old)
at the International School Nanshan Shenzhen (China)
'Food Fraction' by Putri Azzahra (9 years old)
at the International School Nanshan Shenzhen (China)
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What the judges say: "The setting of your story provides an excellent vehicle for explaining fractions, including both equivalent and proper fractions, as well as whole numbers, Putri. The labeled diagrams you have created are especially strong and useful in achieving your goal. It is also commendable that you have covered a great variety of division situations so your readers will experience many ways in which fractions work. The storyline, which centers on the desire of three children to help others, is charming as Lily teaches Jack and Adam about fractions and works with them to solve the problems they face in dividing pizza and bowls of noodles into equal parts. Well done, Putri!" |
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What the author says: "My story, ‘Food Fraction’, popped up in my mind because fractions are everywhere in our lives, especially when it comes to food. Food is important because everyone needs it, and my family loves it. Plus, it makes understanding fractions much easier! Creating a math picture storybook was like a fun game for me! I loved drawing and coloring the pictures. They helped make the fraction numbers come alive. The cool thing is, these pictures didn't just help me understand fractions better, they might help other kids too! I want to say to all students around the world: don't be shy, give creating a mathematical story picture book a try! Joining the Young Mathematical Story Authors competition next year would be an awesome adventure. Let's be risk-takers and take a chance!" |
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What the judges say: "Pie Chart Prep turns out to be a great place to learn about the relationship between fractions and percentages, Izzy. The premise of this story is that each student is a fraction of 360 degrees and each classroom is a full 360 degrees, or 100 % of a full circle. At the beginning of the story, all the classes are partially full. The students know their percentages but not their fractions of 360 degrees. It takes a lot of work to convert from percentages to fractions, simplify those fractions, and then determine the correct fraction of 360 degrees for each student. In the end, they all find their places in Pie Chart Prep. Great effort, Izzy!" |
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What the author says: "The inspiration for my mathematical story was something that I did every time we worked on converting fractions to percentages or vice versa at school. To motivate myself to work hard and quickly, I would imagine that there was a fraction or percentage that felt left out since all the other numbers had been converted, and when I was thinking of a storyline and topic I remembered this. Having taken part in the Young Mathematical Story Author (YMSA) competition definitely developed my understanding of this mathematical topic further, because I had to explain it clearly rather than just listening to someone explain it to me. This was also a very enjoyable process because everyone in my class was talking about their stories, writing them, and colouring (and chatting a little!). All students should definitely take part in the YMSA competition, as it is a very fun project for the whole class and it helps you learn mathematics better!" |
LONGLISTED ENTRIES
The judges would also like to offer congratulations to authors of the following entries which were longlisted for the 2023 Stuart J. Murphy Award!
The judges would also like to offer congratulations to authors of the following entries which were longlisted for the 2023 Stuart J. Murphy Award!
'Angle Adventure' by Liv Halamish (11 years old) at St Christopher’s School (UK)
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'Banana Tree Map' by Constantia Kristell (11 years old) at St Christopher’s School (UK)
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