Exponentia Prime hosted its third annual Regional Math Competition at the Indiana State Museum on Feb. 28, 2026. More than 100 elementary students participated in the competition. This year, six students from three Indianapolis schools won the individual competition.
Student competitors in grades K-5 from urban communities represented 18 schools across Indiana, Ohio and Missouri, according to a press release.
“Rigorous math teaches students how to think,” said Patrick Jones, founder of Exponentia Prime. “It requires strategy, patience, and creativity. When students experience that early, and with joy, they begin to understand that they can solve hard problems.”
Students competed in three rounds designed to test various math skills. The competition began with a 16-question individual round focused on mathematical reasoning. Students then moved into a six-question team round with more challenging problems. The final Build Round required teams to construct a race car using Brain Flakes, interlocking plastic discs used as a creative educational construction toy.
“This allows students, including urban students, to imagine themselves as mathematicians, engineers, entrepreneurs and thought leaders, too,” Jones said.
Exponentia Prime is an education organization focused on helping elementary students build strong foundations in mathematics through rigorous and engaging learning experiences. The organization uses competitions, enrichment programs and school partnerships to introduce students in grades K–5 to math that builds problem-solving, strategy, and confidence.
Winning competitors earned a Super Bowl-style Math Bowl championship ring and cash prizes ranging from $25 to $100. See below for a list of the winners.
Individual division: Grades K–2
1st place: James D. Reed, 1st Grade — Herron Prep Academy
2nd place: Damien Johnson, 2nd Grade — Anna Brochhausen School 88
3rd place: Derick Watson, 2nd Grade — Herron Prep Academy
Individual division: Grades 3–5
1st place: Daxton Powell, 5th Grade — Cold Spring School
2nd place: Drake Smiley, 5th Grade — Cold Spring School
3rd place: Aubree Pearson, 5th Grade — Cold Spring School
Schools also received recognition for the team component of the competition. In this category, judges combine the scores of all participating students from a school or team to calculate an average score. See below for a list of the top competitors for the team divisions.
Overall team division: Grades K–2
1st place: Anna Brochhausen School 88
2nd place: Herron Prep Academy
3rd place: Andrew J. Brown Academy
Overall team division: Grades 3–5
1st place: Cold Spring School
2nd place: Andrew J. Brown Academy
3rd place: Anna Brochhausen School 88
For more information visit https://exponentiaprime.com/ .
Malik Simon is a Staff Writer for the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper. Originally from Memphis, TN, he graduated from Mississippi Valley State University with a Bachelor of Arts in General Studies concentrating on journalism. Before joining the Recorder, he wrote for the Devil’s Gazette newspaper at MVSU and served as a freelance content and video editor. He seeks to use media to help communities flourish through literacy and factual reporting.
