The Carderock Math Contest will be held on Friday, May 1, 2026, from 7:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

The Carderock Math Contest (CMC) is a mathematics competition for middle school students (Grades 6-8) to test their math capabilities for speed, critical thinking and teamwork. Started in 2010, the CMC is an annual STEM event hosted by the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division (NSWCCD). This is a free, day-long event featuring a MATHCOUNTS®-style competition, interactive tours of the U.S. Navy’s premier laboratory for ships and submarines, and a presentation aimed at encouraging middle school competitors’ interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) activities. Each registered school is invited to bring one or two teams of four students each from the Maryland, Virginia and D.C. area.

Written Exams:

• Sprint Round: 30 problems, 40 minutes. (Individual, no calculators)
• Target Round: 8 problems, 20 minutes. (Individual, calculators allowed)
• Team Round: 10 problems, 20 minutes (Team of 4, calculators allowed)

Guest STEM Presenter:

• New guest presenters are brought in each year to engage students in a STEM-focused presentation

NSWCCD Facility Tours:

• Carderock employees lead students on tours of various facilities at NSWCCD, giving students a first-hand look at the real-life applications of a STEM education

Countdown Round:

• Bracket-style knock-out competition
• Individual oral exam
• Answer correctly before the other competitors in order to advance
• No calculators

• Highest-placing individuals and teams on the written exam: Trophies and Medals
• Countdown Round participants: Medals
• Countdown Round champion: Individual and Travelling Trophy

CMC volunteers also participate in other math and STEM-related programs:

• After-school math tutoring
• Science demonstrations
• Guest speaking at schools
• Math club mentoring
• Science Fair judging
• Other NSWCCD programs

Questions? You can reach us at CarderockMathContest@us.navy.mil