Founded by Dr. George Lencher, the Math Olympiad for Elementary and Middle Schools (MOEMS) went public in the year 1979.  Since then, the competition has grown to include participation from 49 of the 50 United States as well as 30 other countries.  The contests are meant to provide students with extra incentive to expand and intensify their study of math.  More specifically, the goals of MOEMS are:

1. To stimulate enthusiasm and a love for Mathematics
2. To introduce important Mathematical concepts
3. To teach major strategies for problem solving
4. To develop Mathematical flexibility in solving problems
5. To strengthen Mathematical intuition
6. To foster Mathematical creativity and ingenuity
7. To provide for the satisfaction, joy, and thrill of meeting challenges

MOEMS consists of 5 Rounds, one per month starting in November and continuing through March. Each round is made up of five nonroutine problems that require careful mathematical thinking to test the contestants skills.  Students are scored individually after the completion of all 5 rounds for a total of 25 possible points for the year.  The team score is the sum of the top ten individual scores for that team, compiled at the end of the 5 Rounds.

There are awards for teams as well as for individuals. Individual Awards include an Olympiad patch for the top 50% of participants, a silver or gold pin for the top 10% and a bronze medallion for any student who receives a perfect score of 25 points.  Team Awards include a certificate for teams scoring scoring in the top 20% and a plaque for teams scoring in the top 10%.

For more information please visit MOEMS Official Website.