Mathletics at Visions of Science Network for Learning (VoSNL)
On Saturday May 9, 2009, the Visions of Science Network for Learning (VoSNL) hosted the 18th Annual Visions of Science Symposium. The free family event which informed several hundred attendees of all ages, ethnicities, and academic backgrounds took place at the University of Toronto’s Medical Science Building from 11 to 5pm. Each year, Visions seeks out and establishes partnerships with other science based organizations to present the best of science programming. This was beautifully achieved through the combination of interactive booths and guest speaker sessions.
Professional Engineers of Ontario ~ Scarborough Chapter, united with the National Society of Black Engineers ~ Toronto Alumni Extension, to host an entertaining and interactive jeopardy style science booth; namely, Mathletics!!!
Mathletics, a competition designed to create passion in the application of mathematics in solving day-to-day scientific and engineering problems, was executed with over ten sessions held throughout the day. Participating students ranging from grade six to eleven were challenged to be active and creative in the use of mathematics as volunteers coached and encouraged them on and as their parents watched them in action. The competition which utilized projectors, remote responders, calculators, theory material, and test questions, was fast paced and the youth were rewarded with chocolates and yo-yos that glow. Most of all though, the students were inspired and motivated to inquire about the limitless value of science, technology, engineering, the mathematic fields, and their roles in society; a pleasure for everyone involved.
The competition proved to be one of the more popular presentations of the day capturing the attention of those students passing by and of other presenters on the floor. For some students, one session was not enough so they returned at subsequent rounds. A presenter at a nearby booth got involved and raised the stakes, offering additional rewards for students who answered the questions without the use of calculators. Another attendant expressed his gratitude, saying that the event was important in the community, that engineering and sciences is a career path of excellence, and that this initiative was a step in directing at-risk youth in the right direction.
Francis Jeffers, Executive Director of Visions of Science said that they “believe that it's important for all youth to have an opportunity to explore their greatest potential and it's our responsibility as their role models to ensure they see the endless possibilities that are in their world”. PEO and NSBE executives/members emulated this conviction of role models as they attentively presented information about both organizations and initiatives. Parents and students were engaged and expressed their enthusiasm about the realized NSBE mission to increase the number of Black engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally, and positively impact the community. A special thank you to all executives, members, and volunteers that facilitated the success of the event.
For details on Visions of Science Network for Learning (VoSNL) see
http://www.vosnl.org/index.html
For more information about Mathletics conducted by PEO Scarborough Chapter, please visit
http://www.scarborough.peo.on.ca/events/20070421-mathletics/
