Minister Norma Foley Visits TU Dublin for National Maths Event
Hundreds of young people across the island of Ireland used their Maths Eyes to see the maths in the world surrounding them during the 11th annual Have You Got Maths Eyes competition organised by Maths Week Ireland in partnership with TU Dublin and South East Technological University (SETU).
Judges selected a final cohort of 30 shortlisted individuals and teams for their mathematical awareness and integration of maths concepts into everyday life. The competition culminated at a prize-giving ceremony at TU Dublin's Grangegorman Campus, where Minister for Education, Norma Foley TD, presented awards.
Minister Foley congratulated all those awarded prizes for their commitment to developing their own maths eyes and paid tribute to the teachers, parents and guardians who supported them. She remarked on the importance of opening our mathematical eyes to the world and appreciating its beauty and usefulness.
While welcoming the minister, co-founder of Maths Eyes and TU Dublin mathematics Lecturer Ciaran O'Sullivan explained the impact over 11 years of this project in helping thousands to have a more comfortable relationship with maths. He remarked that he was delighted to be working with the NCCA to develop resources for the new maths curriculum to include a focus on using maths eyes. In addition, the many resources and images that have accumulated over the 11 years of Maths Eyes competitions are being compiled into an easily searchable format to help people develop their Maths Eyes in a more complete way.
The 'Maths Eyes' initiative was first developed by Dr Terry Maguire in 2003 to support and foster positive conversations around maths, linking education and community. In life, people often regard the mathematics they use every day as common sense and the tasks they cannot do as mathematics. The Have You Got Maths Eyes competition challenges this misconception and has been associated with Maths Week Ireland since 2013. It is a partnership between Maths Week Ireland, TU Dublin and Dublin West Education Centre, Dr Terry Maguire and Ciaran O Sullivan, TU Dublin.
The competition takes place in October each year during Maths Week. The festival, founded in 2006 by Calmast, the South East Technological University's STEM Engagement Centre, promotes a 'Maths for All' ethos and encourages a positive attitude towards maths for all ages and abilities. In addition, it helps to foster a society that values the understanding, power and beauty of maths and its impact on our world.
Winning Maths Eyes posters will be exhibited nationwide in libraries, community centres and educational institutions throughout 2023.
The organisers would like to thank the following for their contribution to making the Maths Week Maths Eyes competition so successful - Colm O'Callaghan, Dr John Keogh, Dr Paul Robinson, Lauren Matthews, Dr Aisling McGlinchey, Dr Chris Hills, Nollaig Healy, Ryan McGivney, Kayleigh Foran, Dr Sheila Donegan, Dr Eoin Gill, Dr Terry Maguire and Ciaran O'Sullivan.
Winners
Under 7 Winners
Ruairi Lynch, St. Mura's National School, Donegal
Tom Lynch, Parteen National School, Clare
Jack Reilly, St. Kilian's Junior National School, Dublin
Zoe Townsend, Kilternan Church of Ireland National School, Dublin
Under 7 Overall Winner
Gina Farnan, St. Mura's National School, Donegal
Under 11 Winners
Aidan McNulty, Scoil Mhuire B&C, Donegal
George Greenwood, St. Cremin's National School, Westmeath
Conor Donohoe, The Downs National School, Westmeath
Ollie and Evie Mc Connellogue, St. Brigid's National School, Donegal
Under 11 Overall Winner
Sorcha Coen, Scoil Mhuire B&C, Donegal
Under 14 Winners
Joe Sheahan, Killaloe Boys National School, Clare
James Kehoe, Alex Rudkovskij and Shane Rock, Father Cullen Memorial National School, Carlow
Katie Kelly, Tarmon National School, Roscommon
Cian Clarke, Sancta Maria College, Mayo
Ailidh Swann, Scoil Mhuire B&C, Donegal
Under 14 Overall Winner
Tríona Nic Roibeóird, Maedhbh NicCórthaigh, Lara Ní Ruairc, Gaelcholáiste an Phiarsaigh, Dublin
Under 19 Winners
Tom Murphy, Borris Vocational School, Carlow
Brannan Jio, The King's Hospital School, Dublin
Leah O'Flaherty, St Patrick's College, Cork
Eleonora Jannelli, St Patrick's College, Cork
Under 19 Overall Winner
Debbie Odebunmi, Cnoc Mhuire Secondary School, Longford
Family and Community Winners
1st Year Maths Class, Patrician Presentation Secondary School, Tipperary
Family and Community Overall Winner
Year 3 UC, St. Colmcille's Primary School, Derry
Project Winner
Corpus Christi Primary School, Moyross, Co. Limerick
The winner of the Fergal O'Sullivan Best Visual Impact Award was Tom Murphy, Borris Vocational School, Carlow