Maths Wins Big as BHP Billiton Foundation and AMSI Announce Awards
Ahead of National Literacy and Numeracy week celebrations, outstanding Australian mathematics teachers and students have been recognised for mathematics education excellence at today’s Choose Maths Awards in Melbourne.
The BHP Billiton Foundation and the Australian Mathematical Sciences Institute (AMSI) presented over $69,500 in teacher and student prizes at today’s ceremony, including two $20,000 prizes for mentoring girls in mathematics.
AMSI Director, Professor Geoff Prince, said the awards showcased outstanding achievement in education and learning at the chalkface of mathematics.
“From remote and regional centres to metropolitan hubs around Australia, this year’s recipients have demonstrated dedication to innovation, creativity and engagement with mathematics,” he said.
QLD and WA took out the top teacher prizes for Mentoring Girls in Mathematics with Stacey King from Mabel Park High School and Penrhos College’s Peter Chandler each receiving $10,000 for personal development and matching $10,000 grants for their schools. An additional eight $1000 General Excellence Awards were also presented to teachers and schools across the country.
BHP Billiton’s Chief of Staff and Head of Geoscience, Laura Tyler, said both teachers were worthy winners for their commitment to maths education in and beyond the classroom and willingness to go that extra mile for their students.
“These awards acknowledge Stacey and Peter’s inspiring efforts to foster mathematics engagement and ensure students have the skills to succeed,” she said.
Today’s awards form one of four components of AMSI and the BHP Billiton Foundation’s Choose Maths project, a five-year A$22 million partnership to strengthen mathematics teaching and foster participation and career awareness of girls and women in mathematics.
“We need young people who are innovative, resilient, problem solvers and critical thinkers.
Investment in mathematics education is critical to provide students, particularly girls, with the foundational skills and confidence to drive industry and innovation into the future. Skilled educators make this possible by creating engaging learning environments,” Ms Tyler said.
The student awards, Maths.Camera.Action, rivalled Cannes with a total of ten student teams honoured for their creative short videos interpreting the theme ‘maths is more than just numbers’ during today’s ceremony.
Short video Live Free, π Hard, by Danebank Anglican School for Girls NSW, took out top honours in the senior category ($2000) with junior top honours ($2000) awarded to Victoria’s Toorak College for Geometry Around the World. Three second-place awards ($1500) and five runner-up awards ($1000) were also presented.
“The calibre of the entries received indicates we have a substantial repository of raw mathematical talent in our schools, in particular amongst girls. Our job now is to equip these students with the confidence and skills to fulfil their potential,” said Professor Prince.
Choose Maths is a five-year project being delivered by AMSI made possible through support from The BHP Billiton Foundation. The initiative will also deliver on-the-ground teacher training nationally and lead careers awareness and participation of women and girls in maths campaigns.
For Interview:
Professor Geoff Prince, AMSI Director
James Ensor, Executive Officer, BHP Billiton Foundation
Top Teacher and Student Prize Winners
Media Contact:
Laura Watson
E: media@amsi.org.au
P: 04215 18733
