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More than 300 of the State's best young mathematicians from 25 schools will take part in the Western Australian Junior Mathematics Olympiad at The University of Western Australia later this month.

Aimed at students in Years Eight and Nine, the Olympiad offers bright students the opportunity to tackle interesting and stimulating mathematical issues beyond the school curriculum.

Winthrop Professor Cheryl Praeger, from UWA's Faculty of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics and chairperson of the Olympiad organising committee, said the event provided a great opportunity for students to stretch their mathematical, analytical and problem-solving skills.  Professor Praeger, who is in the top one per cent of highly cited mathematicians in the world, said such skills were highly valued by employers in today's job market.

"The event also highlights the importance and fun of studying mathematics.  Its influence on bright young minds is immeasurable.  The Olympiad aims to broaden and deepen students' mathematical knowledge, to involve them in problem solving and to extend the range of their mathematical skills," she said.

More than $3,000 in prizes will be donated by sponsors including:  UWA's School of Mathematics and Statistics; departments from Curtin University of Technology, Edith Cowan University and Murdoch University; Data Analysis Australia; the Mathematics Association of Western Australia; and the New Edition Bookshop.

Several new prizes will be introduced this year with the Minister for Education, Dr Elizabeth Constable presenting two awards of excellence for students in public schools.  Awards will also be given by the Parents and Friends Federation WA and the Association of Independent Schools.

The Olympiad will identify the most gifted students in Mathematics and those who achieve the best results will be invited to join the UWA Academy for Young Mathematicians.

The WAJO will be held in UWA's Weatherburn Lecture Theatre, on Saturday, October 30.

Media references

Kate Brandis (+61 8)  6488 3229
Winthrop Professor Cheryl Praeger (UWA Faculty of Engineering,  (+61 8)  6488 3344
Computing and Mathematics)
Janine MacDonald (UWA Public Affairs)  (+61 8)  6488 5563  /  (+61 4) 32 637 716