Researchers have found that hard work and good study habits were the most important factors in improving your maths ability over time and hence – contrary to popular believe – there are no more excuses for simply dismissing your current level of maths competency. With this in mind the 5th annual North-West University (NWU) GeeXpo, hosted by its campus in Vanderbijlpark, is an ideal platform to see and experience, up-close and personal, how mathematics and information technology can open a world of professional opportunities.
On 14 October the Faculty of Economic Sciences and Information Technology on the campus will play host to learners from across central South Africa and showcase not only the multitude of career opportunities that are associated with mathematics and information science, but also champion these essential skill sets.
During GeeXpo, learners from as young as Grade 7 are invited to take part in several mathematics and information sciences related activities, such as a PAT (Practical Assessment Task) Competition, a Mathematics Olympiad, a Robotics Challenge, Stats Presentations and interactive presentations by the Serious Games Institute of South Africa (SGI-SA), Robotics and the Apps Factory.
According to JT Terblanche, a lecturer within the School of Information Technology and the coordinator of the event, the importance of mathematics and science cannot be stressed enough, since these subjects are compulsory if students wish to undertake further studies in a number of fields that are very important to the economy and the further development of the country. These sectors include engineering, natural sciences, information technology and medicine. “We believe that we are the preferred choice when it comes to business and information technology,” says JT and explains that apart from showcasing the different applications of mathematics and computer science within a university context, learners also stand the chance to win full study bursaries during the event.
PAT Competition
The annual PAT Competition runs parallel with the curriculum outcomes for Grade 10-12 learners in high school with IT as a subject at school. The aim of the competition is to encourage learners to enter their IT PAT projects and by doing so not only monitor the standard of their projects against those of their peers, but also entice talented learners to consider a career in information technology. Bursaries, cash prizes for schools, techno gadgets for teachers and many more spot prizes are up for grabs.
Mathematics Olympiad
The Mathematics Olympiad will see learners participate in five categories, namely: Grade 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12, and participants will be tested on an array of mathematical applications. Cool prizes are up for grabs for fast-thinking maths champions.
Other activities
During the course of the day the learners will also have the opportunity to meet experts within the field of mobile technologies, app and gaming developers as well as the dynamic team of the Serious Games Institute – South Africa (SGI-SA). The latter represents an innovative and world-class unit within the School of Information Technology and enjoys international acclaim for their work on projects such as Mandela27 in conjunction with the European Union.
This year will also see calculator workshops being offered to teachers and learners alike.
Register today!
Schools are invited to register as many learners for GeeXpo as they see fit. Please note that the PAT Competition is for learners who are in Grade 10-12, whilst the Mathematics Olympiad is open for any learner from Grade 8-12. For more information please send an email to geexpo@nwu.ac.za or contact Belinda Lombard on 016 910 3261. For more information visit the GeeXpo website: www.http://natural–sciences.nwu.ac.za/geexpo
