AMESA - Mathematics Challenge
Details of the Challenge, including past papers, winners and organisation
are available on the web at: http://www.sun.ac.za/mathed/Challenge/
We provide below some more detail for those who are not familiar with the
Challenge.
Some History
The Challenge started in 1986, when it was called the MASA 2-5 Mathematics
Competition and have shown a steady increase in participation ever since.
ORGANISATION IN THE WESTERN CAPE PROVINCE, a master copy of the First Round
paper for each grade will automatically be distributed to all
governmental schools by the Teacher's Centres in their normal September
mailing. Schools make copies for their learners and teachers mark the
answers themselves from the memorandum we provide. Participation is free.
The Second Round is for learners who achieved 60% or more in the First
Round and is written at a central venue in different regions (a group of
schools in geographic proximity), organised by a Regional Organiser.
Regions in the "Western Cape" include Logan, George, Grassy
Park/Retreat,
Cape Town, Knysna, Langeberg, Mitchells Plain, Swartland/Moorreesburg,
Mosselbaai/Hartenbos, Oudtshoorn, Overberg, Parow/Elsiesrivier, Saldanha,
Stellenbosch, Strand, Vredendal, Paarl/Wellington, Worcester, Robertson.
NON-GOVERNMENTAL SCHOOLS IN THE WESTERN CAPE
not on the Teacher's Centres mailing lists, may contact the Chief- Organiser
Alwyn Olivier at: E-mail: aio@akad.sun.ac.za
Fax: 021 887 2616 Tel: 021 808 2299
IN OTHER PROVINCES, REGIONS may also
participate if they cover the direct costs involved. We basically need a
Regional Organiser who will take
responsibility to duplicate and distribute the First Round papers to
neighbouring schools and to organise the Final Round. There are existing
regions in Bloemfontein, Pretoria, Durban, Namakwaland, East London and
Pietersburg.
Teachers or projects who are interested/willing to act as Regional
Organiser or who want to form a new Region, should please contact the
Chief-Organiser.
The nature of the challenge
The Challenge is not an end in itself, but is intended as a vehicle to
enhance the quality of the teaching and learning of mathematics. More
specifically, the Challenge aims
- to generate an interest in mathematics (to popularise mathematics)
- to promote a broader perspective on the nature of mathematical activity,
including that mathematical activity is more than calculating and that the
calculator is a useful and necessary tool in mathematical activity (the
calculator cannot solve problems for pupils)
- to promote problem solving in mathematics education
- to emphasise the importance of reading in mathematical activity -to
provide a diagnostic tool to enable teachers to identify pupils'
misconceptions
- to develop and disseminate materials that may contribute to useful
mathematical activity in classrooms.
Given these objectives it should be clear that the Challenge is not at all
intended as yet another scholastic test. The Challenge questions are
aimed at conceptual knowledge, the application of knowledge in new
situations, problem solving, reasoning, communication and general
mathematical thinking. We want the Challenge to help South Africans to
become empowered independent and creative thinkers!
We believe mathematics is accessible to all, not just the select few. The
Challenge is actually not about competition or standards, but about
participation, and we want pupils to enjoy participating in the Challenge.
We therefore encourage schools to let ALL their learners participate, not
just the brightest! The brighter pupils may participate as individuals,
whilst others may prefer to work in pairs.
Teachers who want to participate in setting the question papers should
please contact the Chief-Organiser.
Past Papers
Some past questions and question papers are available on the web at:
http://www.sun.ac.za/mathed/Challenge/
The website also contains details of how to order hard copies of past
booklets containg all 8 papers and answers per year.
Sponsors
The Challenge is sponsored by NASOU who generously assists us with
printing, and CASIO who generously donates a calculator to each winner.
The Challenge is organised by RUMEUS (Research Unit for Mathematics
Education of the University of Stellenbosch) on behalf of AMESA.
Contact Details
In connection with the organisation of the Challenge, contact the Chief-
Organiser Alwyn Olivier at:
E-mail: aio@akad.sun.ac.za
Fax: 021 887 2616
Tel: 021 808 2299
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