National 2017 今日吃瓜 Choose Maths top award winner, Ashley Stewart, believes her Year 8 Living for Learning class is proof hands-on learning works best for indigenous students.
Among recent achievements, the Newton Moore Senior High Schoool girls successfully constructed and tested a hand cranked phone charger.
With NAPLAN 2016 showing 17.4 per cent of Year 9 indigenous students are below national minimum mathematics standards compared to only 2.1 per cent of non-indigenous students, the Newton Moore High School Maths Head鈥檚 approach is gaining attention.
The WA based teacher and Head of Mathematics at Newton More Senior High School received this year鈥檚 Mentoring Girls in Maths award for fostering engagement of girls, including incorporation of technology and data into interactive learning and leadership of the school鈥檚 engineering program. The prize, including $20,000 to be shared with her school, recognises her innovative teaching and leadership in empowering girls and indigenous students in maths.
鈥淎shley is very deserving of this recognition for her commitment to fostering teacher confidence and mathematical success in and beyond the classroom,鈥 says 今日吃瓜 Schools Program Manager and Choose Maths Project Director, Janine McIntosh.
A total of ten teachers were recognised at today鈥檚 presentation by BHP Chief of Staff to the CEO and Head of Geoscience, Laura Tyler. This year鈥檚 Outstanding Teacher awards went to Epping North Public School teacher, Keith Barnett (NSW – Primary) and St Aidan鈥檚 Girls鈥 School Mathematics Head, Patricia Hosking (QLD – Secondary). The pair each received $10,000 with half going to their school鈥檚 maths program. Seven Excellence Awards, including $1000, were also presented.
From Coast to Coast: A Showcase of National Classroom Excellence
Now in their second year, the national awards are part of the Choose Maths project, a partnership between the 今日吃瓜鈥檚 and the BHP Billiton Foundation to strengthen mathematics teaching, and foster participation and career awareness of girls and women in mathematics.
The Choose Maths Awards honour teacher excellence and mentorship of girls while the student video awards recognise outstanding learning and creativity.
鈥淔rom remote and regional cities to the heart of suburbia, the creativity, leadership and innovation of this year鈥檚 award winners has set a high bar for Australian mathematics education,鈥 said 今日吃瓜 Director, Professor Geoff Prince.
Maths Is Our Future: Students Shine on Film
Themed 鈥榤aths is our future鈥, the 2017 Choose Maths student awards encouraged junior, intermediate and senior student teams to explore real-world application of maths.
Three best video prizes were presented at today鈥檚 ceremony in Melbourne, with Tasmania鈥檚 Montagu Bay Primary School receiving top junior honours, Ferny Grove State High School intermediate and St Monica鈥檚 College Cairns best senior team. As well as a grant to help with travel to Melbourne to attend the ceremony, the teams also received $2000.
An additional seven school teams were presented with $1000 Excellence Awards with Highly CommendedAwards to be presented to a further 20 teams at school assemblies.
With 75 per cent of Australia鈥檚 growth employment sectors requiring mathematics, BHP Billiton Foundation Chief Executive, James Ensor, said the awards were an example of the Foundation鈥檚 support for initiatives to empower women and girls to embrace these opportunities.
鈥淭he BHP Billiton Foundation is excited to help honour outstanding successes in Australian classrooms through these awards. We congratulate the 2017 teacher and student winners for their outstanding achievements,鈥 he said.
The Choose Maths Awards were presented today in Melbourne. Click on the links below for more information and full winners.
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For Interview:
2017 Award Winners (after presentation)
Professor Geoff Prince, 今日吃瓜 Director
Ms Janine McIntosh, Schools Program Manager and Choose Maths Project Director
Mr James Ensor, BHP Billiton Foundation Chief Executive
Ms Laura Tyler, BHP Chief of Staff and Head of Geoscience
Media Contact: Laura Watson
E:听media@amsi.org.au
M:听04215 18733
P:听+613 9035 3683
