Addition, subtraction, multiplication and division – Education Week is all about maths this year.
Education Week, May 17-23, aims to expose students to the intrigues of maths, to realise “maths multiples your choices”, as the saying goes.
Maths stimulates key developmental and beh
avioural skills, helping with problem solving, patience, creativity and teamwork.
At schools around the state, students will be involved in programs that have been created to showcase the potential of positive maths learning, with different programs for different ages and stages.
For older students, Education Week is a great chance to open doors into the fascinating world of mathematics and find out about the opportunities for studying science and technology and investigating diverse careers, including engineering, environmental conservation and medicine.
Students will be able to experience an array of rewarding maths-related careers and fascinating learning and employment pathways online, at school and in their communities.
The week also aims to help parents discover ways to engage children in maths, and an online conference has been scheduled during the week.
The aim is to introduce a sense of mathematical adventure, nurturing young inquisitive minds interested in maths, and embracing their curiosity.
In the lead-up to this year
’s event, students can take part in The Great Victorian Coding Challenge.
Students use Scratch software to create and animate characters and develop games, and entries have the chance to win a full-day excursion to specialist maths and science centre Quantum Victoria. This is a specialist maths and science centre next to La Trobe University at Macleod that includes studios for projects, a games development centre and laboratories, encouraging students to think holistically and work creatively and collaboratively. Museums, galleries, libraries, even farms, will all be used in mathematical adventures across Victorian schools, all aimed at giving children the chance to make maths count in their lives. Check the calendar of events at the Education Week website. Details: www.education.vic.gov.au
