Tuesday, 27 October 2015

Western Australia’s brightest young maths brains will battle it out this Saturday 31 October at the Western Australian Junior Mathematics Olympiad hosted by The University of Western Australia.

This year’s event will also include satellite competitions in Bunbury and Karratha for the first time.

The Olympiad attracts the state’s most gifted mathematicians in Years Seven, Eight and Nine and gives them the opportunity to work in teams to tackle interesting and challenging mathematical issues.

It is designed to test intellectual ability with students exploring mathematics and statistics beyond the school curriculum. Up to 400 students from 35 schools have competed every year since 1998. Competitors who achieve the best results will be invited to join the UWA Academy for Young Mathematicians.

Professor Andrew Bassom, from UWA’s Faculty of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics and chairperson of the Olympiad organising committee, said it was important for young people to develop their mathematical, analytical and problem-solving skills.

Outgoing chairperson Professor Cheryl Praeger, who is in the top one per cent of highly cited mathematicians in the world and recently inducted into the WA Science Hall of Fame, said such skills were increasingly valued by employers in today’s job market.

“Mathematics is humanity’s most powerful tool for comprehending the universe and is essential for many fields of modern endeavour such as science, technology, engineering and finance so it is vital to find ways to engage with the younger generations and foster their enthusiasm for this essential discipline,” Professor Praeger said. “It is especially pleasing that the competition has grown to include regional centres in Bunbury and Karratha this year.”

Prizes have been donated by this year’s sponsors including UWA, Curtin University, Murdoch University, Edith Cowan University, Data Analysis Australia, the Mathematical Association of WA, the Department of Education (Gifted & Talented) and the New Edition Bookshop.

The Phill Schultz prize will be offered in honour of the Adjunct Associate Professor from UWA’s School of Mathematics and Statistics. This prize will be awarded to the student who, in the opinion of the WA Mathematical Olympiads Committee, has demonstrated the most outstanding performance in the Mathematics Challenge activities during the year.

The Olympiad will be held at UWA’s Alexander Lecture Theatre from 9.45am on Saturday, 31 October 2015. The Vice Chancellor’s Fellow, Hon Dr Elizabeth Constable, will be a special guest at the prize ceremony.

Media references

Mary Schultz (Faculty of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics)    (+61 8) 6488 5079

Professor Andrew Bassom (+61 8) 6488 3387

(Faculty of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics)

David Stacey (UWA Media Manager)    (+61 8) 6488 3229       0432 637 716

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