Study buddies have been an excellent and traditional way to prepare for an exam and preparing for an AP exam is no different.

In order to practice for the AP calculus exam in May, Niles High School students and Holland Christian students took part in a collaborative exercise Wednesday at Niles High called the Calculus Bowl.

Students formed into groups to solved problems, while gaining experience prior to the AP assessment in May.

Prizes were awarded to the top group and a pizza party was provided afterwards to congratulate students.

Niles High School calculus teacher Tim Knoester said they would hold the Calculus Bowl again next year at Holland Christian where his father, John, is a calculus teacher.

Tim had this to say about the experience:

“As a graduate of Holland Christian I have great respect for that school, its teachers, and students. Holland Christian has been recognized as being in the top 50 Christian schools in the United States and I admire the work that my dad has done with his calculus classes. We often plan and share ideas with each other over the phone or when I visit him in Holland. I also am extremely proud of what we have down at Niles High School with our accelerated math classes. These students work extremely hard and one of the primary reasons they are successful is because of their supportive parents. I am extremely privileged to be a part of their education. Today provided a fun opportunity for Niles High School and Holland Christian students to collaborate and create contacts with their future classmates at UM/Michigan State/Notre Dame/or even Calvin College. It also helped calm Niles High School students’ nerves because our students recognized that they are just as skilled as Holland Christian students. In the accelerated math classes at Niles High School we use a variety of approaches to address different learning styles, these include labs, experiments, flipped classroom, projects and so on. However, we do spend a lot of time with lectures and note taking since we know that that is what they will face at the University of Michigan or other top four-year college and we want them fully prepared for a great college. So, a fun competition where students can see their strengths is a nice change of pace. It also is exciting times in the district with the passage of the school bond and the great leadership Niles Supt. Dan Applegate provides.”

Applegate praised the students and teachers.

“I just want to say how lucky we are to have dedicated teachers in Niles like Mr. Knoester to make these opportunities possible for our students,” he said. “It is exciting to see our students excel in academic competitions and our push is to offer more opportunities to demonstrate their skills and recognize the hard work of our teachers.”