A collaboration:
A workshop-exhibition to understand and plan maths communication and maths outreach activities in Africa, organized by the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences - Next Einstein Initiative (AIMS-NEI), IMAGINARY and the Mathematisches Forschungsinstitut Oberwolfach. The workshop and exhibition will be hosted at AIMS-South Africa, in Muizenberg, Cape town.More here
image courtesy of Imaginary
Background
Africa, like the rest of the world, faces major challenges in keeping students interested in Mathematics and Sciences. In Africa, this is exacerbated by a lack of correlation between the application of maths and sciences to daily life experiences, and the low quality of mathematics teaching. Parents also have a pivotal role to play in the manner in which their children eventually perceive and appreciate maths.
Various African organisations and governments are working in diverse ways to bridge the gap in the way maths is perceived and utilized. The African Institute for Mathematical Sciences – Next Einstein Initiative (AIMS-NEI), a pan-African network of Centres of Excellence across Africa, with operating centres in Cameroon, Ghana, Senegal, Tanzania and South Africa, teaches mathematical sciences in a broad manner to top postgraduate African students, empowering them with the skills to tackle Africa’s challenges. AIMS-NEI also has a strong outreach component which contributes to the positive perception of mathematics and its role in transforming the continent. For instance, the AIMS School Enrichment program at AIMS-South Africa provides teachers with interactive classroom tools to improve learning outcomes. From the University of Abidjan, Prof Josephine Guidy Wandjan, the first African woman in Mathematics, uses cartoons to attract youths to mathematics through her “Yao crack en maths” slogan. Recently, AIMS-Tanzania, in collaboration with IMAGINARY/MFO, organized a special interactive math event at the Pi Day celebration organized by the Mathematical Association of Tanzania. This event was attended by over two thousand students and teachers from 3 universities, 33 Secondary Schools, 14 Primary Schools and one Teacher Resource Centre.
