Media release
Holiday challenge for bright young mathematicians
Wednesday, 18 July 2007
It may be the school holidays for some, but 20 of the Territory’s more outstanding Year 11 maths students have been working on a set of challenging problems at a mathematics enrichment seminar in Darwin this week.
Organised by the Mathematics Teachers’ Association of the NT, the seminar has been designed to stimulate their interest in a subject that has always been important but which is becoming increasingly significant in today’s high-tech competitive environment.
Maths Teachers’ Association executive member Vic Czernezkyj says the Territory has some very bright young mathematicians who demonstrate some outstanding thinking and problem-solving skills.
"Each participant has been identified and nominated by their school maths teacher; we have 8 from Alice Springs, 1 from Nhulunbuy and the remainder from Darwin and surrounds."
Former University of Sydney Pro-Vice Chancellor Professor John Mack is the principal speaker at the seminar, which is being held at the NT Open Education Centre in Darwin.
"Professor Mack has been guiding and prompting the students to tackle a set of problems that provide a greater challenge to those that are offered in the syllabus," Mr Czernezkyj said.
Further sessions are being given by Dr Uwe Leck from the University of Wisconsin.
Later this week the focus of the seminar will switch from students to maths teachers.
"It is equally important to support teachers who are required to cater for extremely talented maths students so we have included a professional development dimension for them in this seminar."