Figuring that maths is fun!
Enterprising youngsters from schools across the North-east will be figuring out this week that maths is fun!
Pupils from around 20 secondary schools in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire will be taking part in the regional heats of the 2004 Enterprising Mathematics in Scotland competition.
The event, which is being sponsored by the University of Aberdeen and supported by Aberdeen City Council, will be held at the Summerhill Centre on Friday (June 11).
The popular annual contest aims to raise the profile of maths and encourage youngsters to enjoy the subject.
The day will get underway with a poster competition, which will be judged by Dr Stuart Dagger, formerly of the University of Aberdeen's Department of Mathematical Sciences, and Allan Duncan, Senior Lecturer in Mathematics Education from the School of Education, along with Aberdeen City Council's Bill Burnett, who is the Principal Officer for Education Staff Support.
Next the young people will take part in a problem-solving team competition, followed by a speed competition.
In the afternoon, there will be a "Swiss" competition then competitors will face each other head-to-head in a round-robin board game contest.
The final battle is the relay competition. Team members will run to a supervisor for questions, which they will then answer or pass on, building up points as they go.
A trophy will be awarded to the overall winners in both Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire at the end of the competition.
The winning teams will then go forward to the national final.
John Stodter, Aberdeen City Council's Corporate Director of Learning and Leisure, said: "I think the annual Enterprising Maths competition is a great way of engaging students, promoting the subject and raising achievement.
"I am always greatly encouraged by the imagination and energy of our teachers in running events like this. I hope it is a major success."
Hamish Vernal, Aberdeenshire's Director of Education and Recreation, said: "Maths education has come a long way since the bad old days of dreary blackboards and dusty books of logarithms. This competition will prove that it can be fast, furious and fun to do."
Allan Duncan said: "I am delighted to have been asked once again to judge at this week's Enterprising Mathematics in Scotland competition and am very pleased that the University of Aberdeen is sponsoring this event.
"I am looking forward to seeing the quality of the posters which are produced on the day and to witnessing the excitement and enthusiasm which this event regularly creates amongst the competitors - and their teachers!"
The fun-packed day has been organised by Angela Collie from Dyce Academy, Dinah Borghesi from Harlaw Academy, Fiona MacKay of Banchory Academy, and Sylvia Munro from St Machar Academy.
Members of the media are invited to attend the competition at any time during the day.
The best times for photos are between 2.15pm and 3pm, when the relay competition is being held. The prizes will be presented at about 3pm.
For further information, please contact Sylvia Munro in the Maths Department at St Machar Academy, on (01224) 492855.