Education Minister Darin King is encouraging students, parents and educators to celebrate the wonders of mathematics this week in recognition of Mathematical Sciences Awareness Week.
The special week is a project of the national mathematics research network, Mathematics of Information Technology and Complex Systems (MITACS).
“Mathematics plays a role in every aspect of our everyday lives and through our math strategy we have been working to help students build their math skills, better understand math concepts and encourage an appreciation and love for the subject,” King said.
As part of the provincial government’s $11.3 million Excellence in Mathematics strategy, a new math curriculum is being implemented across the K-12 system. The strategy also includes: new textbooks, sustained professional development for teachers, the addition of 25 numeracy support teachers to work directly with classroom teachers; and support for parents with the help they provide their children at home.
Individual schools and districts also hold special events to promote a love of math among students. Events such as regional math fairs use games, puzzles and other fun activities to encourage a positive attitude toward math and an understanding of how it is part of everyone’s day-to-day lives.