Quito Leads in Kangaroo Mathematics Competition, Loja Secures 16 Medals

Ecuadorian students have demonstrated strong mathematical prowess in the 2026 Kangaroo Mathematics competition, with Quito emerging as the leading city. Students from the capital secured 33 medals, followed closely by Loja with 16 and Guayaquil with 15. Together, these three cities accounted for 71% of the 90 medals awarded across the nation.

The competition, which is held in over 110 countries, was organized in Ecuador by the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics (FCNM) of Espol. This year saw 2,568 students participate, a 30% increase from the previous year. The majority of participants, 92.41%, came from private educational institutions, while fiscal and fiscomisional schools represented 7.43%.

Janet Valdivieso, the coordinator of the Kangaroo Mathematics competition in Ecuador, highlighted the benefits of early engagement in mathematical challenges. Starting competitions from third grade, around age seven, helps build a positive relationship with the subject, develops mental flexibility, and encourages children to view errors as part of the learning process. The competition also aids in identifying potential scientific reasoning aptitudes.

Ezequiel López, an eight-year-old from Cuenca, was among the gold medalists in the Initial category. He particularly enjoyed a question that involved finding the correct reflection of a t-shirt image. The competition is designed to be accessible, with categories adapted to the cognitive development of each age group, starting from the Initial category for third and fourth graders, focusing on intuitive number sense and perception.

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Mi objetivo es ser jugador de béisbol profesional en Japón. Jugar en China, creo que es un desafío importante para lograr ese sueño.