Ardenne High School wins 5th Annual UTech, Jamaica Mathematics Quiz Competition
Professor Kamilah Hylton (3rd left), Dean, Faculty of Science and Sport, University of Technology, Jamaica presents team members from Ardenne High School with the winner’s trophy following the school’s win of the University of Technology, Jamaica’s 5th annual Mathematics Quiz Competition held at the institution’s Papine campus on Thursday, December 7, 2023. Ardenne High emerged winners after defeating Wolmer’s Boy’s School in the final round of the Mathematics Quiz Competition. Team members are (l-r) Gilly Zhang, Anwesha Pattanaik, Aayush Jain, team captain, Armani Dyer and Malaika Francis. Standing in the back row is team coach, Mr. Maurice Sampson.
Ardenne High emerged victorious over Wolmer’s Boys’ School with a 20 to 17 win following the fiercely contested final round of the 5th Annual UTech Jamaica Mathematics Quiz Competition on Thursday, December 7, 2023 at the Shared Facilities Building, UTech, Jamaica’s Papine Campus. The annual Mathematics Quiz Competition was held under the theme: “Building Resilience with Mathematics in challenging times” and is in keeping with the University’s thrust to generate a cultural change and increase in knowledge, skills and attitudes in Mathematics needed among students at the secondary level and the wider society.
The 2023 staging of the Mathematics Quiz Competition commenced with the opening ceremony and preliminary round with the first paper-based playoff match on November 30, 2023. A total of fourteen (14) high schools from across the island participated in the first round. The fourteen competing schools were Ardenne High, Bishop Gibson High, Cornwall College, Hampton High, Herbert Morrison Technical, Holy Childhood High, Jamaica College, Manchester High, Merl Grove High, Munro College, St. Georges College, St. Jago High, Tarrant High and Wolmer’s Boys’.
Ardenne High and Wolmer’s Boys’ emerged finalists following the semi-final matches which consisted of a preliminary paper-based quiz focused on CSEC and CAPE Level 1 Mathematics, followed by a face-off match. Ardenne High School won the first semi-finals match against 2022 Champions, Herbert Morrison Technical High School, with an overall score of 78 to 55, including the quiz scores. Similarly, Wolmer's Boys’ secured a win over Cornwall College with a close score of 35 to 33 including the quiz scores.
The final match lasted for 40 minutes and consisted of three exciting rounds where each team showed their high aptitude in Mathematics, answering questions from the CSEC and CAPE Level 1 and 2 Mathematics curricula, which were presented by Ms Judith DeLisser, Quiz Master, and Lecturer, School of Mathematics and Statistics (SOMAS) in the Faculty of Science and Sport, UTech, Jamaica. Both teams impressed with their demonstration of proficiency in the questions posed dealing with topics including trigonometry, complex numbers, functions, probability, polynomials, logic, and differential equations.
The two top schools received trophies, plaques, cash prizes and gifts, provided through the support of sponsors Bryan Studios Ltd., H & L Ultimate Touch Promotions Ltd and National Baking Company. All participating students received a Certificate of Participation.
Runners-Up: Team members from Wolmer’s Boys’ School and their coach, Mrs. Loris Anderson (3rd left) receive the second-place plaque from Dr. Tricia Morris (4th left), Lecturer, School of Mathematics and Statistics following the final match against Ardenne High on December 7, 2023. Team members are (l-r front row) Nathan Scott, Jovani Spence, Da Jonti Roberts, (l-r back row) Ajani Crossman, Nicholas Reece and Antonio Rolong.
Professor Kamilah Hylton, Dean, Faculty of Science and Sport, expressed her enthusiasm for the final round of the competition during her welcome address. She commended the members of the faculty for their efforts in organizing the event and acknowledged the coaches from the high schools for their dedication in nurturing the students love for mathematics, “we really appreciate your efforts,” she stated.
The Dean encouraged the students to make the University of Technology, Jamaica their choice for pursuing higher education in Mathematics. She emphasized, “you’re really being positioned to have an impact in any space because math is utilized in every single field.”
Mrs. Ave Maria McIntosh, Head, School of Mathematics and Statistics in giving a background to the Mathematics Quiz Competition, indicated that it was conceptualized from an idea proposed by former President, Professor Stephen Vasciannie. She noted the competition was designed to, “increase critical thinking in mathematics and promote the importance and development of the subject as a tool for problem solving across discipline” and, to build relationships between students and teachers from different schools and provide the opportunity for networking.
Mrs. McIntosh also highlighted the competition's goal of transforming the culture surrounding mathematics “from fear to love” and empowering individuals to tackle real-world problems.
Mrs. Camae Johnson-Burrell, Regional Mathematics Coordinator, conveyed the Ministry of Education and Youth's continued support for the UTech, Jamaica Mathematics Competition, emphasizing, “this initiative aligns seamlessly with our shared vision.” She commended UTech, Ja. for organizing the Mathematics Quiz Competition, recognizing its ability to intellectually challenge students and develop important qualities for navigating the complexities of the modern world.
She encouraged students' participation in the competition, noting that it not only elevates their mathematical abilities but also develops skills that go beyond the classroom, and will be valuable in overcoming life's obstacles.
Consulting Actuary, Ms. Catherine Lyn in her remarks at the finals, emphasized the importance of Actuarial Science and noted the role of mathematics as a valuable tool in society. She highlighted the need to change the perception of the field, as there is a limited number of Actuaries in Jamaica.
Emphasizing the potential impact that aspiring actuaries could have on the nation's productivity, she encouraged students to consider this profession as a means of making a difference.
In moving the vote of thanks, Mr. Dennis Xavier, Head of the Division of Pure and Applied Mathematics, FOSS, expressed his gratitude and extended congratulations to the participating schools for their exceptional performance in the competition. He recognized the efforts of all individuals who worked behind the scenes to ensure the success of the 5th annual Competition; the academic and administrative staff of the School of Mathematics and Statistics who served as quiz masters, timekeepers, scorekeepers, and question writers, the Marketing Unit, the Learning Technologies Support Unit (LTSU), and the event sponsors.
Mr. Kevin Williams, Lecturer, SOMAS chaired the event while Mr. Merrick Mullings, Head, Division of Statistics and Research Methodologies delivered the closing remarks.
The inaugural UTech, Jamaica Mathematics Quiz Competition was won by Glenmuir High School in 2017 while Knox College earned the win in both 2018 and 2019 and after a two-year hiatus because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2022 winner was Hebert Morrison Technical High School.
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Contact:
Michelle Beckford
Corporate Communications Manager
University of Technology, Jamaica
Telephone: (876) 818-5893
Email: mbeckford@utech.edu.jm