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Year 8 maths students share their enthusiasm at UNE

May 23, 2006

Math06.thumb.JPGYear 8 students from 27 schools throughout northern NSW had a chance to share their enthusiasm for mathematics during a day of competitive teamwork at The University of New England last Friday.

More than 160 students from schools as far afield as Narrabri, Lightning Ridge, Grafton and Port Macquarie took part in the 12th annual Year 8 Mathematics Day at UNE. A team from Lightning Ridge Central School (which was competing for the second successive year) won the “central schools” division, while a team from Armidale High School won the “general” division.

The New England Mathematical Association, UNE’s School of Education, and the National Centre of Science, ICT and Mathematics Education for Rural and Regional Australia (based at UNE) jointly sponsor the annual event. It aims to broaden students’ perspective of mathematics (for example, its application in real-life problems) at a time in their education when they are about to embark on more advanced mathematical studies.

Mathematics teacher Terry Creagh, who travelled to UNE from South Grafton High School, said his students had had “a great time”. “They didn’t think it would be this good,” he said. “But now they say it’s the best day’s excursion they’ve been on.”

“It’s made them realise that maths can be fun,” Mr Creagh continued, “and they’ll pass this message on to their classmates. They’ve also enjoyed meeting the students from other schools.”

Each of the four members of the two winning teams received a certificate and a medallion, and the two teams took the Mathematics Day’s perpetual trophies back to their schools. A team from Narrabri High School won the maths trivia competition, and McCarthy Catholic College in Tamworth and Manilla Central School won lucky door prizes – class sets of graphics calculators worth $7,000 a set – donated by Texas Instruments.

THE PHOTOGRAPH displayed here shows the Convener of this year's Maths Day, Robyn Hadfield (right) and the Honorary Secretary of NEMA, Anne Parnell (left), with PLC Armidale student Georgie Anderson in UNE's Lazenby Hall.

Posted by Jim Scanlan at May 23, 2006 02:12 PM