--- title: Celebrate Back to School with These 3 ST Math Contests description: Welcome to the 2021-2022 school year! We put together a list of fun activities to engage your students and build JiJi culture at school. image: https://2024.mindresearch.org/hubfs/ecb2f-pass-out-gif.gif --- [![](https://2024.mindresearch.org/hs-fs/hubfs/MIND-logo-2018.jpg?width=1701&height=623&name=MIND-logo-2018.jpg)](http://www.mindresearch.org/) [![mind logo](https://2024.mindresearch.org/hubfs/graphics/logos/MIND-logos-color2.svg)](https://www.mindeducation.org/) [![mind white logo](https://2024.mindresearch.org/hubfs/graphics/logos/MIND-logos-white2.svg)](https://www.mindeducation.org/) - [Our Approach](https://2024.mindresearch.org/our-approach) - [Why MIND?](https://2024.mindresearch.org/why-math-education) - [Our Research](https://2024.mindresearch.org/our-research) - [Our Patents](https://2024.mindresearch.org/patents) - [Our Impact](https://2024.mindresearch.org/impact) - [Our Partners](https://2024.mindresearch.org/partners) - [Partner Stories](https://2024.mindresearch.org/partner-stories) - Our Programs - [ST Math](http://www.stmath.com/) - [InsightMath](http://www.insightmath.com/) - [MathMINDs](https://www.mindresearch.org/mathminds) - [Life at MIND](https://2024.mindresearch.org/careers) - Resources - [Blog](https://2024.mindresearch.org/blog) - [Math Discourse](https://2024.mindresearch.org/puzzletalks) - [Podcast](https://2024.mindresearch.org/edtech-podcast) - [News](https://2024.mindresearch.org/news) - [Activities](https://2024.mindresearch.org/stem-resources) - [Donate](https://store.mindresearch.org/pages/donate) **Student privacy****:** learn more about our commitment to keeping students safe [Read More](https://www.mindresearch.org/privacy-policy) ![MIND-on-Math_Blog-Header-5](https://2024.mindresearch.org/hs-fs/hubfs/graphics/headers/_blog-headers/MIND-on-Math_Blog-Header-5.png?width=2000&height=667&name=MIND-on-Math_Blog-Header-5.png "MIND-on-Math_Blog-Header-5") Category Community Teaching & Learning Technology & Games Research & Outcomes Neuroscience Celebrations & Successes [![Subscribe](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/237516/a35fb57d-2960-4554-a0f3-e7bb5946fc70.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/237516/a35fb57d-2960-4554-a0f3-e7bb5946fc70) [Community](https://2024.mindresearch.org/blog/topic/community) # Celebrate Back to School with These 3 ST Math Contests By [Parker Erickson](https://2024.mindresearch.org/blog/author/parker-erickson) - - - - - [mailto:?subject=Celebrate%20Back%20to%20School%20with%20These%203%20ST%20Math%20Contests&body=Celebrate%20Back%20to%20School%20with%20These%203%20ST%20Math%20Contests%20https://2024.mindresearch.org/blog/back-to-school-contests-and-activities](mailto:?subject=Celebrate%20Back%20to%20School%20with%20These%203%20ST%20Math%20Contests&body=Celebrate%20Back%20to%20School%20with%20These%203%20ST%20Math%20Contests%20https://2024.mindresearch.org/blog/back-to-school-contests-and-activities) - Can't contain your excitement for the new school year? ![](https://2024.mindresearch.org/hs-fs/hubfs/ecb2f-pass-out-gif.gif?width=717&name=ecb2f-pass-out-gif.gif) Neither can we! We always view back to school season as a fresh start—and an ideal time to get students excited about all of the math learning they're about to do! If you need some fun activities to get your students and you in a mathematical state of mind, read on. ## Bulletin Board Social Media Contest  So many of our ST Math educators share how they create JiJi culture in their classrooms on social media—and we love it! For this back to school season, we want to up the ante. If you've created a space in your classroom for a little ST Math and/or JiJi inspiration, we want to see it! You might even win a prize. Here's how it works! The contest begins August 24 and we'll announce three winners on Friday, October 22. To enter: 1. Snap a photo of your math bulletin board. 2. Post to [Twitter](https://twitter.com/STMath) and/or [Instagram.](https://www.instagram.com/stmath/) 3. Tag @STMath and use the hashtag #STMathB2S.   > [          View this post on Instagram                      ](https://www.instagram.com/p/CQl4sTbrTXD/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading) > > [A post shared by Jill ❤️ Hello Fifth (@hello\_fifth)](https://www.instagram.com/p/CQl4sTbrTXD/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading) ## Take a Selfie with JiJi  Do you have a JiJi plushie, standee, or any other JiJi swag ? Take a selfie with your favorite JiJi item and tag us on [Twitter](https://twitter.com/STMath) and [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/stmath/)—be sure to include #STMathB2S. We'll feature submissions by retweeting or sharing on Instagram Stories each Friday until October 1.  > Wishing [@paisleylisa](https://twitter.com/paisleylisa?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) and our friends at [@SVUSDSchools](https://twitter.com/SVUSDSchools?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) a wonderful [#FirstDayofSchool2021](https://twitter.com/hashtag/FirstDayofSchool2021?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) on Monday! [pic.twitter.com/O6T1dwJMto](https://t.co/O6T1dwJMto) > > — Emily Young (@EmilyYoungEDU) [August 13, 2021](https://twitter.com/EmilyYoungEDU/status/1426309612374958083?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) ## Get Ready for the ST Math Fall Challenge An excellent way to help your students get excited about using ST Math in the new school year is to participate in the ST Math Fall Challenge. The fall challenge begins September 22 and runs through November 30.  Here's how to enter: 1. Sign in to your Administrator account. 2. Navigate to the Usage tab. 3. If the weekly average is above 60 minutes, take a screenshot and tag @STMath on [Twitter](https://twitter.com/STMath) or [Instagram.](https://www.instagram.com/stmath/) If you're having trouble locating your school's usage data or need additional support, please email our [support team.](mailto:support@mindresearch.org) Check out our winners from last year! > JiJi and Liz are announcing the winners of the ST Math Fall Challenge! 🐧🎉 > Thank you to all 71 schools that participated! Look alive for some extra goodies made special by JiJi in the coming weeks. Keep up the great work! 💪 [https://t.co/01P5jtasFN](https://t.co/01P5jtasFN) [#STMathFallChallenge](https://twitter.com/hashtag/STMathFallChallenge?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [#Winners](https://twitter.com/hashtag/Winners?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [pic.twitter.com/t9l2LxUMh4](https://t.co/t9l2LxUMh4) > > — ST Math (@STMath) [November 6, 2020](https://twitter.com/STMath/status/1324837933308805122?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) ## Bonus: Order or Print the New Penguin Poster! One of the most common questions we get about JiJi is finally answered: What species of penguin is JiJi? We now know that JiJi is a one-of-a-kind math penguin, also known as *Jijis mathmaticus!* [![penguin_poster_11x17](https://2024.mindresearch.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog/Images/penguin_poster_11x17.png?width=600&name=penguin_poster_11x17.png)](https://2024.mindresearch.org/hubfs/Blog/PDFs/penguin_poster_11x17.pdf) This just-for-fun poster is available for you to [download and print](https://2024.mindresearch.org/hubfs/Blog/PDFs/penguin_poster_11x17.pdf) and we recommend printing on 11 x 17 inch paper, though it's also available for [8.5 x 11 inch](https://2024.mindresearch.org/hubfs/Blog/PDFs/penguin_poster_8.5x11.pdf) paper.  Don’t want to bother with printing it yourself? Order a printed copy on the [JiJi Store](https://store.mindresearch.org/collections/jiji-store/products/penguins-of-the-world-poster). We hope it's the *coolest* poster in your classroom or home! ## Share your Creativity with Us We love to see what you and your students are up to this year. Whatever creative idea comes to mind, make sure to let us know on: - Twitter [@STMath](https://twitter.com/STMath) - Instagram [@STMath](https://www.instagram.com/stmath/) - [Facebook Group ](https://www.facebook.com/groups/stmath) > Jiji is so excited to welcome our Cable Cubs back on campus! [@STMath](https://twitter.com/STMath?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [#STMath](https://twitter.com/hashtag/STMath?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [#STMathTX](https://twitter.com/hashtag/STMathTX?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [#JijiLoves4thGrade](https://twitter.com/hashtag/JijiLoves4thGrade?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [#CableReunited](https://twitter.com/hashtag/CableReunited?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [#ComeTogether](https://twitter.com/hashtag/ComeTogether?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [pic.twitter.com/XxjuluJAAs](https://t.co/XxjuluJAAs) > > — Whitney Lindsey (@MrsWLindsey) [August 19, 2021](https://twitter.com/MrsWLindsey/status/1428417945873616896?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) Looking for more back to school activity ideas? Check out the [printables on ST Math Help](https://help.stmath.com/hc/en-us/articles/360037895633-Special-Event-JiJi-Coloring-Sheets-Break-Challenges-and-Activities?__hstc=142723050.06beeb1ec7e4130e03300f2612a0c809.1627914737515.1629305237173.1629309954852.35&__hssc=142723050.3.1629309954852&__hsfp=2624781691) for more activities including coloring pages. ![Parker Erickson](https://2024.mindresearch.org/hubfs/1638836847907.jpeg) ### About the Author Parker Erickson was MIND’s Content and Community Specialist. As a digital storyteller, Parker is passionate about building strong communities through technology and social media. Off the clock, you can find him buried in the latest issue of The New Yorker or experiencing different cultures through food. [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/parker-erickson-81034b103/) ### Comment #### [MINDShare 2021: A Virtual Retreat with Tangible Connections](https://2024.mindresearch.org/blog/mindshare-2021-a-virtual-retreat-with-tangible-connections) [Lessons From a Teacher New to ST Math](https://2024.mindresearch.org/blog/lessons-from-a-teacher-new-to-st-math) ### Search Result By: ![feature image](https://2024.mindresearch.org/hubfs/Blog/Images/Inside-our-Minds-logo-teal-800x800.png) [Featured Podcast](https://2024.mindresearch.org/blog/topic/featured-podcast) ### [Rethinking Attendance in Edtech](https://2024.mindresearch.org/blog/rethinking-attendance-in-edtech) [Listen Now](https://2024.mindresearch.org/blog/rethinking-attendance-in-edtech) ##### LATEST PODCAST EPISODES ###### BY MIND RESEARCH INSTITUTE - [Rethinking Attendance in Edtech](https://2024.mindresearch.org/blog/rethinking-attendance-in-edtech) - [People, Process, and Penguins: Designing Math Experiences](https://2024.mindresearch.org/blog/people-process-penguins) - [Bridging STEM Gaps with STEMconnector CEO Jo Webber](https://2024.mindresearch.org/blog/bridging-stem-gaps-with-stemconnector-ceo-jo-webber) - [The EdTech Genome Project: Talking Implementation with Elizabeth Birie](https://2024.mindresearch.org/blog/edtech-genome-project) - [From Meeting the Moment to Foundational Change](https://2024.mindresearch.org/blog/from-meeting-the-moment-to-foundational-change) ##### [See all podcasts](https://www.mindresearch.org/edtech-podcast) ## Interested in Contributing? 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