GMMDC National MathArt Competition
The ceremony was held in Stellenbosch at the beautiful, historical PJ Olivier Art Centre on Monday 4 September and parents, family, school Heads and their teachers joined in celebrating the achievements, followed by refreshments and snacks. Teachers were presented with colourful MathArt mugs showcasing selected learner entries from 2018-2021.
The competition is a unique to South Africa STEAM initiative aimed to promote innovation and creative problem-solving skills among learners nationwide. This years theme featured: “Mathematics in Africa: past present future” The GMMDC National MathArt Competition challenged entrants to create an original handmade artwork that connects Mathematics to an annual theme in a visual and innovative way.
The learners were presented with the challenge of interpreting this equation:
This creative problem-solving task aims to develop skills that are considered essential for job seekers in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR); thus empowering and preparing young South Africans for their future.
Entrants are given an opportunity to share, in their own words, more about their mathematical and creative processes by answering three questions which are an important component of their competition entry.
In its fourth year, this National MathArt Competition forms part of the Govan Mbeki Mathematics Development Centre’s broader strategy to advance STEAM education in teaching and learning in South Africa.
Please use the link to view a video of the all gold, silver and bronze awards: https://youtu.be/Ru305Nq6ptM
Learners submitted a photograph of their artwork, and their answers to three questions online earlier this year in March and April.
After a preliminary selection process, entries were judged for mathematical integrity by an online panel of mathematics judges. Where the maths was evident, correct and integrated with the work, entries proceeded through to a second round of online judging by a diverse and interdisciplinary team of experts for consideration of the work as a whole.
The top submissions were declared semi-finalists of the competition, and the physical artworks were requested to be couriered to us in Gqeberha where they were judged by a final judging team.
The GMMDC were extremely encouraged by the level of entries they received as a whole to this year’s competition, and would like to invite learners and educators to continue to partner with them in future to approach Mathematics education from this unique perspective, including art as part of STEAM education. There are plans afoot to exhibit some of the artwork in Finland later this year.
Mrs Lynda Leibbrandt – Snr Art & Design / GMMDC
