Maths camp helps to inspire learning
In August, Charles Darwin University (CDU) coordinated a maths camp where 45 students and volunteer teachers came together to solve all things maths.
The camp, led by CDU Senior Lecturer in Education - Mathematics Dr Khalid Khan and retired academic Dr Ian Roberts, is designed to get students more involved in maths and increase teacher leadership and confidence with maths material.
The event was held from Friday (Aug 23rd) evening to Sunday (Aug 25th) morning at the Batchelor Outdoor Education Centre and saw attendees undertake organised activities and general chats about mathematics.
Such camps have been running in the NT (Top-end and The Centre) since 2009 and have had over 1000 students and 400 teachers/adults participate. The theme is always Fun, Thinking, and Friendship, and mathematical activities are organised into Maths Worlds, with participants ranging from Years 5 to 12 and over 30 schools.
Based on our model and support, and with international collaboration, similar Maths Camps now run in Germany, Japan and the USA. International online variations were also initiated during COVID-19 and are still offered.
Dr Khan said that such activities dispel the myth that mathematics is boring and are very beneficial for both students and teachers.
“The activities are led by a range of people, mainly mathematicians, but as the camp goes on, the teachers begin to take leadership and become more comfortable as they develop an understanding of the material,” Dr Khan said.
“The students rotate through the Maths Worlds and experience a high level of enrichment because these are developed and led by experts in mathematics who are highly experienced and know how to communicate the beauty of the subject with school students and teachers.”
“The camp also includes exposure to other related disciplines, teamwork, fun activities, and the creation of a highly conducive learning environment with positive social interactions,” he said.
“It is pleasing to see that some students have attended five camps and are now attending as volunteers. Besides the many NT-based teachers and friends, we have had many volunteer mathematical helpers from overseas and interstate,” Dr Khan said.
“The camps were conceived and designed for students, but the PD and learning community opportunities for teachers were quickly noted and have been equally valuable.”
Dr Khan said the camp is more than using maths to find answers.
“Mathematics is not just about processes involving numbers or equations or algorithms; it is about understanding,” Dr Khan said, quoting the Field Medallist Mathematician William Thruston.
“The maths camp and enrichment initiatives allow students and teachers to see the true essence of mathematics. Such activities also foster a cross-generational and cross-cultural network and community that loves problem-solving.”
“CDU is very proud to co-lead this maths camp, and we hope it inspires the next generation of students and teachers to get involved in maths,” he said.
The Australian Computer Society (ACS) has partially sponsored the camp and its activities since 2023, with the camp aligning with one of ACS’s key aims, which is to grow the nation’s digital skills capabilities and industry capacity as well as inspire the next generation of technology professionals (in the NT).