Image caption: Assistant Professor of Educational Studies Anjali Khirwadkar, stands with Harshil Swain, left, and Jiyul Kang, right, both National and Provincial-level winners at the 2026 Kangaroo Math Contest held at Brock University.
Young mathematicians put their problem-solving skills to the test at Brock University this March as the campus once again hosted the Canadian Math Kangaroo Contest (CMKC).
Designed to spark curiosity and showcase the creative side of mathematics, the contest invites students from Grades 1 through 12 to engage in challenging yet accessible problems. With more than six million participants across over 100 countries, the international Math Kangaroo initiative continues to grow, drawing over 9,000 students annually from across Canada.
Brock has proudly supported the contest for over a decade, welcoming students and families from across the region to campus. The initiative was first established through the leadership of Faculty of Education Professor Joyce Mgombelo and Mathematics and Statistics Professor Chantal Buteau. Since 2017, the event has been coordinated by Assistant Professor Anjali Khirwadkar of the Faculty of Education.
This year’s contest took place on Sunday, March 22, 2026, bringing together a vibrant community of learners, educators and families. Among those in attendance were faculty members Steven Khan, Director of Teacher Education, and Mariam Takkouch, both participating as parents alongside their children.
The success of the event reflects a strong spirit of collaboration at Brock, with faculty, staff, mathematics educators and student volunteers working together to create an engaging and welcoming experience for participants.
By hosting events like the Math Kangaroo Contest, Brock continues to foster a love of mathematics beyond the classroom, encouraging young learners to see the subject not only as a discipline but as a creative and enjoyable pursuit.
From the right: Faculty members: Dr. Steven Khan (Teacher Education, Program Director), Dr. Mariam Takkouch, Dr. Shannon Welbourn, Dr. Anjali Khirwadkar, and Catherine Susin, a Ph.D. student.
