February 8 and 11, 2023 saw The UWI Mona Campus buzzing with approximately 2400 primary/preparatory and secondary students supported by educators and parents/guardians who participated in the first round of the 2023 staging of the UWI Math Olymiad. The Olympiad is coordinated by the Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Science and Technology and sponsored by New Fortress Energy.  The overwhelming interest is encouraging given a worrying trend of declining interest in STEM by GenZ and the ‘knowledge-loss’ brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. The first round of the Junior Math Olympiad (grades 4-6) on February 8 had approximately 1900 students from 128 preparatory and primary schools across Jamaica. The Senior Math Olympiad (grades 7-11) on February 11 had close to 400 students being engaged from 30 secondary schools. There will be two additional rounds before selecting grade level champions. The initial stagings were well received and the participants and organizers looks forward to the ensuing rounds.

The FST commends all students, educators and parents/guardians who have participated in the Math Olympiad and wishes them immense success.

The FST remains committed to supporting Jamaica’s mathematics landscape thorough teaching and research.

Photo caption: Participants at UWI Math Olympiad 2023. 

Follow the Faculty of Science and Technology on Instagram @uwimona_fst and on Facebook at @ The Faculty of Science and Technology, The UWI Mona. For enquiries, WhatsApp us at 1-876 552-4691, call us at 1-876-977-1785 or email us at fst@uwimona.edu.jm.