Math Olympiad has students fired up
If you took a poll of Belizeans you’d probably find that of all the subjects they studied in school math is the one they’d most like to forget. And that’s a shame, because aside from its practical applications in the world of business, a knowledge of mathematics sharpens the mind and possesses a powerful beauty at least the equal of well written literature. Today in Belmopan, the nations top math students had a chance to exercise their skills at an annual event known as the Math Olympiad. News Five’s Marion Ali was there.
Marion Ali, Reporting
There was a sense of seriousness on the faces of the students as they took their positions in the U.B Gymnasium and prepared for the second Annual Math Olympiad, sponsored by the Belize Social Security Board.
There were bursts of deafening cheers and drumming as the seven participating schools were introduced. The teams hailed from Belmopan Comprehensive College, Corozal Community College, Muffles College, Sacred Heart College, Ecumenical High, Saint Catherine Academy, and Saint John’s College.
As defending champions, the S.J.C. boys added their own twist to the entertainment side of things.
But when it came down to business, the U.B. Gymnasium was anything but noisy as the competitors got to work.
But while the event itself provides an avenue for good, clean fun, its purpose goes much further. Social Security Board’s General Manager in the Office of Strategic Management, Leticia Vega, says they were prompted to help enhance students’ performance in math.
Leticia Vega, Gen. Mgr., Office of Strategic Mgmt., Soc. Security Board
“One of the main reasons I’ll say is looking at the P.S.E. results and our CSEC results, mathematics was one of, I would say, the lowest scored in terms of the country. And it’s an area that we targeted where we want to help and one of the main things that we need to do is break that barrier in terms of students who are fearful of the subject and we want to make it fun. And making it fun we have the Belize Math Olympiad, a way of trying to change the students attitudes and then they will have that initiative on their own to study hard and to be highly motivated to do well.”
For this reason Minister of Education, Patrick Faber, says Government will do its part in giving the support to create that positive energy among teachers.
Patrick Faber, Minister of Education
“It is our direction in the Ministry of Education now to try to get our teachers to be more excited about the subjects that they teach; not only in Math but in all subject areas, to get them to be hyped up, to be wired, to be high if you will on the subjects that they teach so that energy can be transferred to our young people and they in turn can be excited and can be willing to learn. When it comes down to imparting that knowledge to students, to teaching it, it may not be that easy and we realise that and we are going to aim at qualifying our teachers of mathematics so they can better impart the knowledge to you.”
By the end of it all, Corozal Community College captured first place, while Muffles took second and last year’s defending champs, S.J.C. placed third. As part of their first prize, the C.C.C. team received gold medals, trophies, computers and cash prizes while their school received a projector and a cash prize. Second and third places were also awarded medals, plaques, and cash prizes. Social Security also gave each participating team member a laptop computer of his or her own.
Reporting for News Five, Marion Ali.
The Math Olympiad was held with the theme: Stimulating Enthusiasm and Critical Thinking through Mathematical Creativity.
