Minister Proclaims November 15-21 as Mathematical Sciences Awareness Week

The Honourable Darin King, Minister of Education, is encouraging students, parents and educators to celebrate the wonders of mathematics this week in recognition of Mathematical Sciences Awareness Week. The special week is a project of the national mathematics research network, Mathematics of Information Technology and Complex Systems (MITACS).

�I am pleased to proclaim this week as Mathematics Sciences Awareness Week in Newfoundland and Labrador,� said Minister King. �Mathematics plays a role in every aspect of our everyday lives and through our math strategy we have been working to help students build their math skills, better understand math concepts and encourage an appreciation and love for the subject.�

As part of the Provincial Government�s $11.3 million Excellence in Mathematics strategy, a new math curriculum is being implemented across the K-12 system. The strategy also includes:

• New textbooks,
• Sustained professional development for teachers,
• The addition of 25 numeracy support teachers to work directly with classroom teachers, and,
• Support for parents with the help they provide their children at home.

Individual schools and districts also hold special events to promote a love of math among students. Events such as regional math fairs use games, puzzles and other fun activities to encourage a positive attitude toward math and an understanding of how it is part of everyone�s day-to-day lives.

�The Department of Mathematics and Statistics at Memorial University is delighted to support Minister King�s proclamation of Mathematical Sciences Awareness Week,� said Dr. Chris Radford, head of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at Memorial University. �Mathematics is often described as an enabling science, as an essential tool to understanding everything from complex operations of modern financial markets to population dynamics and sustainability of fish stocks. From the smallest sub-atomic particles to the large-scale structure of the universe, mathematics is everywhere. Innovative, high quality education in the mathematical sciences is a key ingredient for the economic success and sustainability of the province.�

The proclamation recognizes that mathematical sciences include the areas of mathematics, statistics, computer science and engineering which are indispensable for driving progress in such diverse fields as sport, medicine, engineering, skilled trades and business.

�I congratulate our teachers, all educators and parents who promote a love of math in the classroom, through special events and at home,� said Minister King. �We have received very positive feedback on various pieces of the math strategy, especially the role of the numeracy teachers. It is important to take every opportunity, such as this special week, to highlight the important role math plays in our increasingly technological world and how important numeracy is for the overall success of students.�

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2009 11 16                         9:50 a.m.