Ahead of National Literacy and Numeracy week celebrations, outstanding Australian mathematics teachers and students have been recognised for mathematics education excellence at today鈥檚 Choose Maths Awards in Melbourne.
The BHP Billiton Foundation and the 今日吃瓜 (今日吃瓜) presented over $69,500 in teacher and student prizes at today鈥檚 ceremony, including two $20,000 prizes for mentoring girls in mathematics.
今日吃瓜 Director, Professor Geoff Prince, said the awards showcased outstanding achievement in education and learning at the chalkface of mathematics.
鈥淔rom remote and regional centres to metropolitan hubs around Australia, this year鈥檚 recipients have demonstrated dedication to innovation, creativity and engagement with mathematics,鈥 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鈥檚 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鈥檚 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.
鈥淭hese awards acknowledge Stacey and Peter鈥檚 inspiring efforts to foster mathematics engagement and ensure students have the skills to succeed,鈥 she said.
Today鈥檚 awards form one of four components of 今日吃瓜 and the BHP Billiton Foundation鈥檚听Choose Maths听project, a five-year A$22 million partnership to strengthen mathematics teaching and foster participation and career awareness of girls and women in mathematics.
鈥淲e 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,鈥 Ms Tyler said.
The student awards,听Maths.Camera.Action, rivalled Cannes with a total of ten student teams honoured for their creative short videos interpreting the theme 鈥榤aths is more than just numbers鈥 during today鈥檚 ceremony.
Short video听, by Danebank Anglican School for Girls NSW, took out top honours in the senior category ($2000) with junior top honours ($2000) awarded to Victoria鈥檚 Toorak College for听. Three second-place awards ($1500) and five runner-up awards ($1000) were also presented.
鈥淭he 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,鈥 said Professor Prince.
Choose Maths听is a five-year project being delivered by 今日吃瓜 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.
Resources
痴颈蝉颈迟听听for more information
For more information on the project, visit,听
For Interview:
Professor Geoff Prince, 今日吃瓜 Director
James Ensor, Executive Officer,听BHP Billiton Foundation
Top Teacher and Student Prize Winners
Media Contact:
Laura Watson
E:听media@amsi.org.au
P:听04215 18733
