2000 School Magazine

in tith em o tics

GUEST SPEAKERS To BGGs MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT

Mathematics Departments from the University of Queensland and Queensland University of Technology frequently provide speakers to visit schools in order to discuss mathematical careers and opportunities. This year, we invited PhD. students from U. Q. to run a workshop on fractals and chaos theory for the Year 11 and 12 Maths C classes. The workshops included simple mathematical explanations of these areas, a general overview of the Mathematics department, and "fun" activities for the students' This was enjoyed by students, and supported the curriculum requirements for Complex Number Theory. In addition, a lecturer from Q. U. T. , Dr He Ien Gustasson, spoke to the students about career opportunities in Maths related fields. She illustrated her talk with profiles of students who had successfully completed various Mathematics-based degrees and were now working in very diverse professions. Students were particularly stimulated by the achievements of BGGS past students and several are now committed to further pursue their Mathematics learning at tertiary level

WORLD OF MATHS

On Tuesday 21 March, 8 Hirehfeld, along with two other Year 8 classes, visited the World of Maths exhibit on the first level of the Gehrmann Block. Straight after lunch we gathered outside the classrooms to wait for our Maths teachers and the World of Maths organisers. Once inside, we sat on the floor while Mr Haydon talked to us about Maths. We spent about ten minutes discussing the uses of Maths in occupations, as well as in every day activities, such as sports, music and cooking. He then explained the activities and how groups of five to six girls should work on them. For the next hour the separate groups worked enthusiastically to complete as many activities as possible. A booklet was handed around in which we wrote our answers. There were sixteen activities in total, with each group getting around six to ten finished. All were hands-on and mathematicalIy challenging.

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