Learners turn maths into art
17 September 2020
The Western Cape produced nine winners in a national competition that challenges learners to combine artistic creativity with mathematical problem solving in a new and innovative way.
Learners in Grades 7 to 12 could enter the Nelson Mandela University’s MathArt competition. The competition is a project of the Govan Mbeki Mathematics Development Centre and a partner of the Western Cape Education Department.
The theme for this year’s competition was ‘My Universe’.
Ongoing research has shown the positive influence of the Arts on the performance of learners and the development of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects. The STEAM (STEM and Arts) approach to education assumes that Art is an integrative and transformative element in teaching and learning.
Stellenberg High School had the most learners in the final round. The school also produced the first and second prize winners, Amè Lambrecht (Perspective) and Nicola Nothnagel (Unlimited) in the Grade 11 and 12 category. Nadia Heunis of Protea Heights Academy (Calculated Randomness) was third.
Stellenberg also had two winners in the Grade 10 category: Simon Botha (My universe is an illusion) in second place and Jemma Fourie (Proportionally EQUAL) in third place.
"What my universe adds up to..." by Frederick Turner of Augsburg Landbou Gimnasium won second prize in the Grade 9 category, with "Maths = The Poetry of Logical Ideas" by Hano Nieuwoudt of Paarl Gymnasium in third place.
The combined second prize winners in the Grade 7 and 8 category were "Daydreams" by Sian Bosch of Durbanville Primary and "From Power to Sweetness to Sight" by Faye Breytenbach of Greenfields Primary.
Congratulations to all the finalists!
