2003 School Magazine

FACULTIES M AT H E M ATI C S BUILDING BRIDGES

MATHEMATICAL MINDS During the year, a large number of students from Brisbane Girls Grammar School have participated in a number of state and national Mathematics competitions. Besides the Westpac Australian Mathematics Competition, a number of students also entered more challenging events such as the Maths Challenge and Enrichment for Young Australians. These students, from Years 8 to 10, acquitted themselves admirably. in June, approximately forty Girls Grammar students in Years 8 to 11 entered the Queensland Association of Mathematics Teachers Competition. Their results were most encouraging, with several girls achieving a "Highly Coinmended" Certificate. The highlight of the mathematics calendar, however, is the Australian Mathematics Olympiad. This is the country's most prestigious competition, and also the most demanding, comprising a four hour examination. Annie Tong, Cheryl Au. Shona Wills, Crystal PODn and Arooke Kahawita entered the Olympiad, and are anxiously awaiting their results at the time of printing. All the girls who have entered these competitions deserve hearty congratulations. Whether or not they received outstanding accolades the honour of participating is a great one' Many of the students have commented on how personally rewarding their experiences have been, and are excellent role models for the younger girls'

Five hundred wooden stirrers, 2 tubes of glue, a sound sense of perspective, much creativity and precision building skills all contributed to the building of ninety bridges during Terms 111 and IV. Year 8 students participated in a collaborative activity with Brisbane BOYS Grammar during which groups of five or six students constructed bridges to a strict bridge building code. The test of success for each bridge was measured by the strength to weight ratio of the bridge During the preparation stage at the end of Term 11, students completed a number of activities designed to challenge them to think about the concepts necessary to build a successful bridge in their Mathematics classes they discussed different types of bridges and design features of stable bridges. The students experienced the "feel" of stable shapes and investigated the forces involved in different types of bridges using an interactive web site. They also completed a number of activities designed to develop their understanding of perspective which enabled them to draw their bridge plans effective Iy. To build a "great" bridge in such a short period of time You need teamwork and a well-structured plan of action. On the afternoon of the day prior to bridge building, students familiarised themselves with the Bridge Building Code, competed in competitions using their skills in perspective and drew plans for their bridge A day was then spent bridge building followed by testing a week later. Bridges were weighed and loads were added. Unfortunately all the bridges had not been tested at the time of printing but there were several that had a structural efficiency of over 60 - a wonderful achievement for our "expert" bridge builders who utilised their new skills so effective Iy

Mr G Bromiley Head of Faculty

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Yr 10 Australian Mathematics Olympiad Squad