Students from fifty schools from across Jamaica will participate in the annual UWI sponsored 'Mathematics Problem Solving Competition' organised by the Department of Educational Studies, UWI, Mona on Thursday, April 15, 2010 at the Undercroft, UWI, Mona. The competition is geared towards grade nine students and teachers. It seeks to develop an appreciation of Mathematics as a problem-solving tool and to note the relevance of Mathematics to real world situations.  Mathematics underpins science and technology and many other areas of study. In addition, it provides the springboard for the development of problem-solving skills which are necessary in this globalised and competitive world.

The competition involves four problems that each school team consisting of four members is required to solve.  The problems will include a performance task that involves real-world application that is vital to keeping students enthusiastic about Mathematics.

The students will also attend demonstrations at the departments of Physics and Chemistry while at UWI, Mona.  The teachers are invited to participate in a presentation on a study on Jamaican Education Reform in Mathematics and Sciences and a workshop on using concrete materials in teaching Mathematics. These sessions will be conducted by Dr. Yee Han Joong, Senior lecturer in the Department of Educational Studies, UWI, Mona.