St. Mary Math Expo Strengthens Bond Between Schools and Communities

For the organisers of the St. Mary Maths Expo, the event was designed not only to sharpen children’s understanding and appreciation of mathematics, but also to strengthen the bond between schools and their surrounding communities.

The expo, held on March 27 at Galina Primary and Infant School, formed part of Maths Month activities observed throughout March.

Staged under the theme ‘Mathematics For All: Building Communities, Confidence, and Creativity’ by the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, the expo brought together students, parents, and educators for a day of interactive learning, problem-solving, and creative exploration of mathematical concepts.

Participants engaged in a wide range of activities, including hands-on demonstrations, problem-solving competitions, and collaborative exercises designed to showcase the practical applications of mathematics in everyday life.

Students were further drawn into the experience through games and creative presentations that made the subject more relatable and enjoyable.

Highlights included Maths Jingles, Maths Poetry, Maths Cheerleading, Maths Mascot, Maths Races, along with Daddy-and-Me and Mommy-and-Me Math Challenges – all designed to encourage family participation.

Primary Mathematics Coach, Cyreta Henry, explained that the initiative was aimed at “promoting maths in a fun and engaging way” while also seeking to “bring the school and the community together”.

“We want the whole family to be engaged with math. We don’t want math to be contained within the… school or within the confinement of the classroom. We want to bring math out into the community. The idea is to go into different communities, different QECs (Quality Education Circles) every year.” she said

This year’s staging marked the second parish-wide Maths Expo in St. Mary, following last year’s inaugural event at Port Maria Primary.

Secondary Mathematics Coach, Tyrone Brown, explained that the activity forms part of the Ministry’s broader efforts to transform the culture surrounding mathematics across the island.

“It’s predominantly just changing the culture, changing the attitude towards maths, because what the research shows predominantly [is that] the attitude towards maths has a strong correlation between itself and [the] performance of students in [the subject]. So those who tend to like it… tend to persevere [through challenges]. So it’s about building resilience by giving them that passion and that drive and that internal motivation,” he said.

Mr. Brown told JIS News that there has already been a noticeable shift in how students engage with mathematics-related activities.

“To be honest, it’s been surprising for me as well, because it’s the first time I’ve actually seen students hide from other classes just to participate in maths activities. We had a ‘Hat and Tie Day’ recently. Most of the pharmacies and business places said they were sold out of materials, because everybody was coming to buy materials,” he shared.

The initiative also aligns with the Ministry of Education’s broader push to strengthen science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education.

Primary Mathematics Coach, Latoya Duncan, emphasised that the expo provides a platform for students to “creatively express themselves”, while also helping to ease anxiety around the subject.

“The fear of mathematics that once [existed, is no longer as prevalent]. It’s somewhat minimised now, and this allows them to showcase their talents creatively,” she said.

“I really must commend the Ministry of Education and the Region Two Maths Team because… mathematics is growing [in Region Two]. Our students are thriving… they are flourishing and they see that mathematics is fun. So when they go back to the classrooms… they are going to apply it,” she added.

Ms. Duncan further said, “We are actually building communities of mathematicians here in Region Two, and we know that when they go home, they are going to talk about this experience – even as adults.”

Secondary schools represented at the expo included Annotto Bay High, Tacky High, Wycliffe Martin High, Marymount High, and Iona High.

They were joined by several primary institutions across the parish, such as Galina Primary and Infant, Annotto Bay Primary, Jackson Primary and Infant, Newstead Primary, Free Hill Primary and Infant, Marlborough Primary, Water Valley Primary, Belfield Primary, Lewisburgh Primary and Infant, Camberwell Primary, Albion Mountain Primary, Richmond Primary and Infant, Long Road Primary, and Zion Hill Primary.