Mathematics is in the spotlight at the Department for Education Numeracy Summit at the Adelaide Convention Centre on Tuesday 5 March.

Opened by the Minister for Education, Training and Skills, Blair Boyer, along with the department’s Chief Executive Professor Martin Westwell, the one-day event focusses on the importance of mathematics, with about 1,500 school leaders and mathematics coordinators attending.

The Summit is an important part of the State Government’s overall commitment to boosting student numeracy in South Australian schools through its statewide Maths strategy.

Main components of the strategy include participation in the four-year international PRIMO Maths research project, the expanded trial of the Mathematics Assessment Interview, a focus on financial literacy, and guidance and resources for schools in the effective and innovative teaching of Mathematics. Mathematics is also a priority in the new South Australian Curriculum that public schools will be engaging with this year.

Department Chief Executive Professor Martin Westwell said when our children and young people are able to think mathematically, it’s good for them and it’s good for South Australia.

“Many of the state’s in-demand jobs require a background in mathematics, particularly those in science, technology and engineering. Students with knowledge, skills and a positive approach to mathematics often do well in their training and higher education”.

“Through mathematics, students learn how to approach complex problems and be comfortable thinking about quantities and the relationships between them. These skills are valued in the workforce and in life when budgeting, making purchasing choices and other everyday tasks”.

“In a world where data and statistics are used and misused to influence people’s decisions, being able to think mathematically can help people to make choices that are better for them”.

This year, the Summit’s theme is ‘Empowering learners to shape their world through numeracy’ and will feature speakers Professor Doug Clements and Professor Julie Sarama of the University of Denver who will deliver the opening keynote: ‘What is the “science of math”?’, and Professor Francis Su of Harvey Mudd College who will deliver the closing plenary: ‘Mathematics for human flourishing’.

The Summit follows on from the Department for Education’s Leaders’ Day, an annual event which brings together the department’s school, preschool and corporate leaders. Held at the Adelaide Convention Centre on Monday 4 March, this year’s program addressed the topic: ‘Our Strategy – Better Together’ and included local, national and international speakers in presentations and workshops.

You can now listen to Professor Doug Clements and Professor Julie Sarama or Professor Francis Su on the department’s Teach podcast.