Mathematical minds from Mid-Western Regional schools are being invited to test their skills in a region-wide championship in October.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The 2016 Mudgee Mathematical Minds Challenge will be hosted by St Matthew’s School on Tuesday, October 18.
The challenge has been organised by teachers, businesses and other community members concerned over the falling level of numeracy skills among young people.
In the last 20 years, the interest in mathematics across Australia has declined, reaching a low 6 per cent on average nationwide.
Local businesses Yancoal and Kepco are supporting the Mudgee Mathematical Minds Challenge in an effort to reverse this trend.
Thanks to sponsorship from Yancoal, Kepco and the Rotary Cub of Mudgee and St Matthew’s Catholic School, the winning team will receive $1000 to purchase equipment for a Mathematics Enrichment Program or resources for their school.
The second prize winners will receive $500 and third prize is $250.
Organisers hope that one team of four students from each of the district’s primary school and two teams of four from each of high school will take part in the challenge.
The championship will be divided into two groups: One for Stage 3 students (year 5 and 6) and one for stage 5 students (Year 9 and 10).
The event will include both individual and team challenges designed to test the students’ mathematical knowledge through written exercises and other activities.
The competition will take place over three or four hours, including a lunch break.
Parents and other staff will be welcome to come and support their teams.
Championship co-ordinator Kristine Blake of St Matthew’s Catholic School said as well as encouraging interest in mathematics, the challenge would recognise the talents of students who excel in this field.
Ms Blake said while we acknowledge our athletes and performers, and there are science challenges and spelling bees, there are few events which display show the achievements of mathematicians.
“This event will show that you can have fun with maths,” she said.
Schools interested in entering the Mudgee Mathematical Minds Challenge can contact the co-ordinators Neila Darrough or Kristine Blake at St Matthew’s or Sof Lee on 0431 942 367 for information. Entries close at the end of this school term.