Launched today, the annual Choose Maths Awards will honour outstanding teachers of mathematics and students across Australia.
A total of $69,500 will be awarded nationally to teachers, students and schools in celebration of achievement, creativity and excellence in mathematical learning and education. The Awards form one of four components of the Australian Mathematical Sciences Institute (AMSI) and the BHP Billiton Foundation’s Choose Maths program, a five-year $22 million partnership to strengthen mathematics teaching and foster participation and career awareness of girls and women in mathematics.
“Young women and girls have not traditionally been encouraged to explore their maths potential or consider it as a career pathway. We are rewriting this narrative in Australian classrooms through Choose Maths. An important recognition of excellence, these awards are also a call to action through their demonstration of what mathematics education should and can be in Australia,” says AMSI Director, Professor Geoff Prince.
A passionate teacher can make a lifetime of difference in and beyond the classroom.
Two top prizes of $10,000 and eight prizes of $1,000 will be awarded to teachers across Australia for demonstrated excellence in mathematics teaching and the fostering participation of girls in the discipline. Each winning teacher’s school will also receive a grant equal to their prize to further initiatives within their mathematics programs.
Celebrating the power of education, Choose Maths Director, Ms Janine McIntosh says the awards “recognise learning at its best and the capacity of skilled educators to foster talent and potential and shape lives far beyond their classroom.”
Welcoming the chance to challenge traditional gender narratives and acknowledge education at its best, BHP Billiton Chief of Staff, Laura Tyler said the awards were an opportunity to foster the skills needed to secure Australia’s future.
“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,” she said.
Maths is more than numbers – it is the key to innovation and a world of possibilities
The awards will also recognise students through the Maths. Camera. Action program. The program will take maths out of the classroom with students encouraged to use their maths talent to create short films. Ten awards in total are on offer, five junior (Years 5-8) and senior (Years 9-11) with best junior and senior video receiving $2,000 with second place receiving $1,500 and third $1,000.
Janine McIntosh said the program gave students a different experience of maths and its many possibilities.
“These awards encourage students to apply their maths knowledge challenging them to innovate and explore classroom learning in the context of the real world.”
Now open nationally, applications for the teacher awards close 11 July and student awards 20 July. The awards will be presented at a ceremony in Melbourne on 26 August 2016.
Visit choosemathsawards.org.au for more information and submission guidelines.
For Interview:
Professor Geoff Prince, AMSI Director
Ms Janine McIntosh, Choose Maths Director
Media Contact:
Laura Watson
E: media@amsi.org.au
P: 04215 18733
