News 2022

Irish Maths Talent Celebrated at Mathematical Trust Awards

30 May 2022
Dr Anca Mustata with winner of the Award for Irish Teachers of Mathematics Ivan Cliffe (UCC graduate), maths teacher, Ardscoil na Mara, Tramore, Co. Waterford.

Staff from the School of Mathematical Sciences played host to one hundred maths scholars and educators from all over Ireland at the Irish Mathematical Trust (IMT) Awards, in the Aula Maxima on 29 May. 

The IMT Awards is an annual celebration of Irish maths talent, honouring students and teachers from all around the country. It is the culmination of a multitude of volunteer hours and out-of-school work by all involved.

Students' experience of learning mathematics can be shaped by their school experience and the influence of their teachers. Even within the mathematics community, the maths taught at school and the approach taken in university can be poles apart. Efforts to bridge the gap between the two curricula are underway, with the Irish Mathematical Trust at the forefront of this endeavour.

The IMT has been running national competitions like the Irish Mathematical Olympiad for the past 35 years and has helped train the team representing Ireland at the International Mathematical (IMO), and its sister competition, the European Girls Mathematical Olympiad (EGMO). More recently, they have initiated a special Award for Irish Teachers of Mathematics.

The team behind the Awards includes Dr Anca Mustata and colleagues from the School of Mathematical Sciences. The ceremony was opened by Professor Sarah Culloty, Head of the College of Science, Engineering and Food Science.

The Irish Mathematical Trust

The Irish Mathematical Trust is an organisation of mathematicians dedicated to inspiring and training Ireland’s next generation of creative thinkers. It builds on a tradition of 30 years of engagement with school students through free classes run by volunteer staff in five major university centres.

The Irish Mathematical Trust supports an integrative approach to Mathematical Education, bringing together different stakeholders (teachers, parents, students and lecturers) in a collaborative effort to spread best practices and innovative teaching methods. The IMT range of projects include hundreds of hours of problem-solving sessions, engaging tens of thousands of students in mathematical activities through online support for teachers and volunteer work, conversing with the general public, and training university students to teach younger generations.

IMT offers school students a global perspective by organizing the participation of Irish teams in prestigious international competitions – Mathematical Olympiads - with three silver and seven bronze medals earned by Irish students in the last five years. All IMT work has been provided at no cost to the students or schools, thereby allowing young people of all backgrounds an equal opportunity to improve their mathematical skills.

Photos: Brian Lougheed

College of Science, Engineering and Food Science

Coláiste na hEolaíochta, na hInnealtóireachta agus na hEolaíochta Bia

Block E, Level 3, Food Science Building, UCC, Cork, T12 YN60.

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