Batchelor Mathematics Camp

In August, three Year 11 students from Stage 1 Centre for Excellence (C4E) Mathematical Methods attended the Batchelor Mathematics Camp. This camp provided an opportunity for the students to challenge themselves with various mathematical problem solving concepts designed by Mathematics Professors from the USA, Darwin and Katherine. 

Students were split into their age groups:  the Alphas, Betas, Gammas and Deltas. Darwin High students, Senuri Pinto, Cindy Um and Elizabeth Greenwood, were part of The Deltas, along with students from Palmerston Senior College, Essington Senior College and Good Shepherd Lutheran College. The camp was a chance for students to interact with like-minded peers from across the NT who have an interest in mathematics and working together to analyse and solve complex mathematical problems.

During the camp, students explored polynomials, factorials, sequences and series, trigonometry and integral, and differential calculus. The Year 11 students collaborated and shared their knowledge with Year 10 students, explaining new mathematical concepts.  One of the challenging problem solving concepts included finding the circumference of the earth without using contemporary trigonometry and algebra. No one knew how to solve it without formulas and trigonometry, except those who didn’t know trig - the year 5's! They ended up explaining the method to the rest of camp, reminding us all that sometimes knowing more blinds you from the simplest solution - Elizabeth Greenwood.

The camp was innovative and engaging, and expanded the participants' networks and knowledge of mathematics.