ACADEMIC CHALLENGE CUP
Gifted Resource Council sponsors Academic Challenge Cup, a series of friendly academic competitions in math and creative problem solving for St. Louis area students.
The games all have one thing in common: they teach children how to think, not what to think.
ACC Requirements:
Students in grades 2nd – 8th
ACC Dates:
Monday, Feb. 23 – Friday, Feb. 27, 2026
Doors open at 9:00; competition begins at 9:30. We’re usually wrapped up by 12:30.
ACC Location:
University of Missouri – St. Louis (UMSL)
ACC Cost:
Early Bird pricing will be $90 team; $100 after that. Early Bird pricing ends Nov. 21.
More information is available at the GRC office
Call – 314.962.5920
Email – info@giftedresourcecouncil.org.

ACC 2026
EQUATIONS
Monday: Grades 6-8
Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday: Grades 3-5
A game of creative math that provides players with practice in arithmetic operations and assists in developing an understanding of number concepts, number systems, factors and primes, order of operations, and simple algebraic equations.
Equations players compete against people from other teams in several rounds. The five team members’ scores are calculated collectively to determine team winners.
Download a copy of the 2026 Equations Rules. (There is one clarification to the 2025 rules; otherwise, rules are the same.)
Official Equations Practice Player Scoresheet Sample
Official Equations Practice Table Scoresheet Sample
CREATIVE CONVENTION
Grades 2 – 4 – Creative Convention teams play on Friday of ACC week.
This competition requires less advanced preparation, but greatly benefit from creativity exercises, team building work and presentation practice.
Creative Convention teams of five work together to develop, design and construct a solution to a lifestyle problem; teams are scored on teamwork and creative problem-solving.
FREE WORKSHOPS
Students learn to compete with the help of teachers and parents who coach interested students by playing the game and providing strategic tips.
Free workshops are available for parents and teachers to learn the challenging games of Academic Challenge Cup. To take a workshop, please call the GRC Office at (314) 962-5920 to register.
Equations Coaches’ Training:
Thursday, Nov. 6, 4:30 p.m. – GRC Office (10425 Old Olive Street Rd., Lower Level 1, 63141)
Saturday, Nov. 8, 9:45 a.m. – Wydown Middle School (6500 Wydown Blvd., 63105)
Creative Convention Coaches’ Training:
Saturday, Nov. 8, 11:15 a.m. – Wydown Middle School (6500 Wydown Blvd., 63105)
Academic Challenge Cup 2026 Registration Open!
11/21/2025 – Last day for Earlybird pricing!! We currently have 29 teams for Tuesday; 19 for Wednesday; and 26 for Thursday if that aids your decision making process.



