Extracurricular Maths as a tool to motivate students interest in Mathematics education

Abstract

Mathematics Education has often been considered as one of the toughest and less exciting subjects to not only students but also the facilitators (teachers). Various pedagogies have been put in place but the question we need to ask is, are they sustainable, exciting or relevant to students? We believe that exposing students to the outside classroom practical, hands on learning and application of Mathematics in exciting ways to positively change the student attitude could potentially be what has been missing out in our curriculum. In this context 1m referring to the outside classroom activities that are aimed at making the teaching and learning of mathematics to be fun and enjoyable. Many a times students have struggled with mathematics to an extent that some are left to believe it’s a monster to them. During our annual blended Kenya Maths camp, besides other themes, we introduce the students and teachers to some of these mathematical problem-solving sessions, games and ideas that focus on deepening their understanding of mathematics. The feedback from teachers is that some are emulating some of these ideas in their classroom session. The students also share these puzzles and the maths games during their maths clubs in their respective schools.