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A head start to the new academic year

Friday, 09 December 2016

While other learners will be taking a break from schoolwork 67 determined learners will be attending the annual Mathematical Camp. The camp is hosted by the South African Mathematics Foundation (SAMF) at the University of Stellenbosch from the 5th till the 9th of December 2016.

Talented learners who have been identified in the 2016 South African Mathematics Olympiad (SAMO) and other SAMF Olympiad programmes such as the Siyanqoba Regional Mathematics Olympiad Training Programme have been invited to the annual camp. The Siyanqoba programme, sponsored by the Department of Science and Technology, concentrates on developing problem solving skills, unlike in regular school curricula where the focus is more on solving routine-type questions. The emphasis is on the understanding of mathematical concepts rather than pure memorization of formulae. The aim of the training is to improve learners’ performance in the SAMO.

The mathematical camp is stimulating, challenging and enjoyable. It compromises of lectures, tests and other activities and is the first step in the selection of teams to represent South Africa at the 2017 International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) and Pan African Mathematics Olympiad (PAMO). The learners are divided into 3 groups: beginner, intermediate and advance. The main emphasis of the December camp will be on solving interesting and unusual mathematical problems.

Professor Johann Engelbrecht, Executive Director at the South African Mathematics Foundation (SAMF) encourages all the learners attending the camp to keep on working hard. “The year might be over, but I encourage learners to take advantage of this opportunity. The time used during the camp should be used effectively as it will give learners a head start to the New Year,” said Professor Engelbrecht.

Entries for the 2017 SAMO are open. The closing date for entries is the 3rd of February and the First Round will take place on the 15th of March 2017.For more information please call the SAMF office at 012 392 9372 or send an e-mail to info@samf.ac.za.

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Issued by the South African Mathematics Foundation

Zanele Ncongolo

Media and Communications Officer

SAMF

Tel: 012 392 9342

Email: media@samf.ac.za

Date: 07 December 2016

 

 

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