2007 Newsletter No. 2

Welcome to Term 2... already! Hope the holidays went just as you wanted and you can’t wait to get into action!

Census form

Your chance to win $50 voucher to spend on MAWA books and merchandise if we receive the completed form by Friday 27 April. More importantly your chance to help us to meet your professional needs.

AGM

Everyone loves AGMs! In the past MAWA’s have been held in August at the State Conference in Bunbury.

This year it’s being held at the MAWA offi ce, 12 Cobbler Place, Mirrabooka on Monday 30 April beginning 7 pm (agenda, nomination forms and revised constitution already posted to you). Please come and support your Association.

Did you know?

Friday 18 May 2007 is the fi rst NATIONAL MATHEMATICS DAY (instead of national mathematics month, August). Why not consider organising mathematical challenges/activities for staff and students at your school? eg

• Invite families and friends to a 'Mathematical Activities Night' at your school.
• Have a poster/slogan competition.
• Hold a problem-solving challenge.
• Organise a mathematical trail/scavenger hunt around the school.
• Have a mathematical morning tea.
• Hold a mathematics quiz.
• Set up a maths activity morning for students.

FOR YOUR DIARY

TERM 3
Fri 17- Sun 19 Aug
MAWA State Conference
Bunbury

3-7 Sept 2007
National Literacy and Numeracy Week

26 Sept 2007
Science for School Students Science Fair
Hosted by Mount Lawley SHS

TERM 4
Sun 25 to Tue 27 Nov
Secondary Convention
Esplanade Hotel Fremantle

• Invite a guest speaker to address students, parents or both.
• Ask families and community members to consider and share the importance of maths in their lives ('What do I do at home/at work/at school that relies on mathematics?')
• Arrange assemblies or foyer displays to have a mathematical focus.
• Get together with other local schools for a Games Day.
• Use e-mail or the Internet to share your activities with a school in another town or another state.
• Share photos and stories of your celebrations with AAMT office@aamt.edu.au

Visit AAMT’s website for more information and help.
(Have you thought about MAWA stickers as prizes?)

National Mathematics Summer School

Do you have a gifted Year 11 student(s)? Why not encourage them to apply for the National Mathematics Summer School. For more information, see flier included with this mailout.

Geometry for pleasure?

Do you have an interest in synthetic Euclidean geometry ie modern, or college, geometry? This material is elementary, though not necessarily easy, rigorous, challenging and can be extremely fascinating. Peter Scales, a retired Civil Engineer, is considering offering an adult education course, 'Geometry for Pleasure', through UWA Extension or similar as an intellectual adventure. Content would concentrate on geometry of the triangle and quadrilateral, aimed at teachers, enthusiasts and advanced students. With an eye on history, a fascinating trail of discovery extends from the 19th Century to the present day. The past 15 years has seen a surge in interest due largely to the development of sophisticated Computer Algebra Systems. Course format could be either a series of 4 or 5 2-hour sessions, or a 1-day or 2-day workshop. More advanced sessions, possibly using a computer lab, could follow. Howard Eves, the eminent historian of geometry and mathematics, says that a course in this material is very desirable for every propective teacher of high school geometry. If you would be interested in such a course please email Peter at geometriqua01@yahoo.com.au

Schools Statistics Poster Competition

Schools Statistics Poster Competition is now national and designed to help teachers apply the syllabus. Note that the Poster competition is not creating more work for the teacher; it helps the teacher implement the syllabus. Entry is free. Prizes will be awarded in WA. For more information contact Ross Taplin R.Taplin@murdoch.edu.au www.maths.murdoch.edu.au/statscomp/

Census At School

CensusAtSchool data is available throughout 2007. You can access lots of real, raw data about Australian students! Over 112,000 students are in the database. Students in Years 5-12 have been engaged by using the data. What a great way to compare communities of students! The website contains curriculum related student activities. Any questions phone 1800 623 723 or email censusatschool@abs.gov.au www.abs.gov.au/websitedbs/cashome.nsf/home/home

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2007 Newsletter No. 2 (332kb)