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The University of Western Australia, along with the Western Australia Mathematical Olympiad Committee will host the 2019 WA Junior Mathematics Olympiad (WAJO). The event brings together more than 350 students from years seven, eight and nine from over 25 Western Australian schools with the aim of identifying the most gifted mathematics students. A satellite event will be held at ECU (South West Campus) for students from the South-West.

Students compete individually and in teams to tackle mathematical problems they would not normally encounter in the regular school curriculum and without the use of calculators.

Professor Michael Giudici, Chair of WAJO, spoke about the importance of the event in promoting an interest in mathematics from a young age.

“Strong mathematical skills are crucial in today’s modern world and open up a vast array of rewarding careers,  so it is important for these students to develop both an interest and skills in mathematics from a young age.”

Following on from the event a prize ceremony will be held, where the best performing students are awarded prizes and given the opportunity to join the UWA Academy for Young Mathematicians.

A range of prizes will be awarded after the competition, donated by The University of Western Australia Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Curtin University Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Mathematical Association of Western Australia, Edith Cowan University School of Science, Murdoch University, The Gifted and Talented Unit of the Department of Education, New Edition Bookshop and Data Analysis Australia.

Other sponsors include the University of Western Australia’s Faculty of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences and the Vice Chancellor of the University of Western Australia.

Other prizes will also be awarded on the day, including the Phill Schultz Prize, awarded to a high school student that the WA Mathematical Olympiads Committee believes has demonstrated the most outstanding performance in Mathematics Challenge activities throughout the year.

The Olympiad will be held on the UWA campus at the Alexander Lecture Theatre from 8.00am - 1.00pm and the prize ceremony from 1.00pm in the Social Sciences Lecture Theatre on Saturday 26 October.

More information can be found here.

Media references

Ben Robson (UWA Faculty of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences) (+61 8) 6488 7501