22nd August 2019
In a bid to open up student minds to the possibilities of Mathematics and Science, schools from around Bendigo and beyond are today taking part in a range of activities hosted by Girton Grammar School and delivered by the Melbourne University Faculty of Science, as part of the University of Melbourne 2019 Science Festival.
Headmaster at Girton Grammar School, Mr Matthew Maruff, said that any opportunity to immerse young people in experiences that allow them to understand concepts beyond numbers alone was hugely beneficial to their learning.
“The workshops and presentations that the University of Melbourne provide to school students are interactive and fun.
“The question of how mathematicians think and solve problems will be explored in the hope of discovering what makes mathematicians love mathematics.
“Students sometimes make assumptions about their mathematical ability without realising that with practice, hard work and belief in themselves, they can master numbers.
“We are particularly excited that Professor Arun Ram, lecturer in School of Mathematics and Statistics at the University of Melbourne, will visit the school.
“Professor Ram is an internationally recognised mathematician and an inspirational teacher. He will talk about the interface between mathematics and music, which will be immensely interesting to many of our students,” Mr Maruff said.
The Melbourne University Faculty of Science is partnering with National Science Week and the ARC Centre of Excellence for Mathematical and Statistical Frontiers (ACEMS) to deliver a special free interactive learning experience on mathematics. Girton Grammar School will host an all-day event, featuring a MathsCraft workshop, a presentation by Professor Ram titled, “Maybe I Could Be a Mathematician”, and an interactive Q and A with a panel of MathsCraft mathematicians. Around 90 Girton students undertaking Extension Mathematics classes will attend, and students from schools in Bendigo and Castlemaine have been invited to participate.
“The theme for the day is Global Problems – Science Solutions, so the students are looking forward to coming away from the day with some elegant solutions to real-world problems,” Mr Maruff said.
Pictured: Professor Arun Ram and MathsCraft facilitators expanding students mathematical minds, along with Girton Head of Mathematics, Mr Ross Slater.
