MTQ Maths Investigations Using and Developing Mathematical Skills and Connections Across the Curriculum

MAT HS INVESTIGATIONS  The Maths Talent Quest (MTQ) is open to all primary and secondary students in Victoria and Tasmania.  The MTQ aims to promote interest in mathematics and foster positive attitudes amongst students, teachers and parents.  The focus is on the process of mathematical investigations.  The MTQ promotes the use and development of mathematical skills and connections across the curriculum.

 MTQ investigations cater for student diversity.  They not only provide gifted and talented students, but students with an interest in Mathematics, the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and learning as they explore and research a topic of their own choice.  They also allow students from diverse backgrounds, particularly those from different cultures and from rural centres, to show how mathematics relates to their lives.

The Australian Curriculum &AusVELS MTQ -Maths Investigations- using and developing mathematical skills and connections across the curriculum

 Aims for students to ‘recognise connections between the areas of mathematics and other disciplines and appreciate mathematics as an accessible and enjoyable discipline to study.’  Students need to recognise that mathematics is constantly used outside the mathematics classroom and that numerate people apply mathematical skills in a wide range of familiar and unfamiliar situations.  Using mathematical skills across the curriculum both enriches the study of other learning areas and contributes to the development of a broader and deeper understanding of numeracy  Mathematics is organised around the interaction of three content strands and four proficiency strands.  The proficiencies reinforce the significance of working mathematically within the content and describe how the content is explored or developed.  ‘The curriculum anticipates that schools will ensure all students benefit from access to the power of mathematical reasoning and learn to apply their mathematical understanding creatively and efficiently…..’  ‘It encourages teachers to help students become self-motivated, confident learners through inquiry and active participation in challenging and engaging experiences.’ The Australian Curriculum & AusVELS General Capabilities Content and Proficiency AusVELS Domains Mathematics, Thinking Processes, Communication, Design, Creativity and Technology, Information and Communications Technology, Interpersonal Development, English, Languages, Personal Learning, Science, The Arts, The Humanities, The Humanities Economics, The Humanities Geography, The Humanities History, Civics and Citizenship, Health and Physical Education.  MTQ -Maths Investigations- using and developing mathematical skills and connections across the curriculum.

Thinking Processes The type of skills normally associated with investigations are generally higher order skills or processes. These processes fall under the broad heading of Working Mathematically- The Australian Curriculum proficiencies reinforce the significance of working mathematically within the content and describe how the content is explored or developed. Thinking Processes- AusVELS Domain – students will be developing creative and critical thinking abilities, and applying them to the expansion of their knowledge and skills. “We are preparing students for an uncertain future, there will be problems to solve that probably don’t yet exist.” The aim of developing thinking skills through the investigation process is - to provide students with the ability to apply and transfer knowledge to new and different circumstances as they arise throughout life - to understand and act effectively in the ever changing world in which they live.

 Who can enter?  How do we enter?  Entry formats  Awards  Getting started  Classroom management  Judging Criteria

All students from P-12 Entries can be: - Individual - groups up to 6 - classes up to 30 A maximum of 8 entries per year level

Visit for the Information Booklet-Entry Costs, Judging Rubric and further details Download the Information Booklet from the MAV website – this is your ‘Number 1’ source for MTQ information Select which entries you are submitting - complete school judging if necessary Registration opens online Tuesday 22 nd April (go to MAV website) Registration closes online Monday 21 st July

All entries must include a log, a journal or rough workings. Investigation Creative writing Models Posters Technology-supported mathematics Games Film, video, audio tapes

Registration opensTuesday 22 nd April 2014 Registration closesMonday 21 st July 2014 Delivery of entries LatrobeWednesday 13 th August 2014 Judging Thursday 14 th August - Tuesday 19 th August 2014 Display of entries Wednesday 20 th August 2014 (Morning) Entry Pick Up Wednesday 20 th August 2014 (Afternoon) and Thursday 21st August 2014 (2pm deadline) Award CeremonyThursday 23 rd October 2014

Must include: –An abstract –Mathematical aims –Observations and results –Discussion on relevance of results –Conclusion –Log, journal or rough workings

Real world Maths or mathematical situations Sequential steps Formulate own questions Apply prior knowledge and strategies Explore systematically Use mathematical processes Justify the results Summarize the findings An investigation not a research document or project

Essays/stories Script for a play Must have a cover sheet showing -mathematical aims, - key mathematical ideas, - an evaluation Log, journal or rough working must be included

Must reinforce a mathematical principle Be appropriately documented-refer rubric No larger than 70cmx70cmx70cm and 10kg Log, journal or rough workings must be included

Sequential presentation of the Mathematics involved Be appropriately documented-refer rubric No larger than A1 and fit a Postpak cylinder Log, journal or rough workings must be included

Must highlight aspects of mathematics Be appropriately documented including a hard copy of your project Log, journal or rough workings must be included Windows or Macintosh on CD ROM

Show development of mathematical ideas from developer and player’s perspectives Appropriately documented – an evaluation of a trial. Original and creative Log, journal or rough workings must be included

Must illustrate producer’s development of mathematical ideas Appropriate documentation Script & indexed commentary No longer than 15 minutes Log, journal or rough workings must be included

Certificate of Participation for all Encouragement – Certificate Credit - Certificate Distinction and High Distinction – Certificates and Book Vouchers Outstanding investigations are selected to represent Victoria in National MTQ Distinction, High Distinction and National Awards Presentation Ceremony- Thursday 23 rd October - La Trobe University, Bundoora

Start working with classes early Give students ideas and inspiration Brainstorm with students - what are their personal interests? - sports? - hobbies? - controversial questions? Excursions/Camps Local business or Community interests National or Global issues or interests

Individual/s, Group/s or Whole Class MTQ Vs Classwork MTQ Vs Set Project Implementation- Teacher Choice- One lesson per week, more than one a week, each day of the week, whole days or weekly Benefits – Working Mathematically - Inquiry Based - Real-Life Learning - Making Connections - Application - Understanding - Engagement

(Please refer to Judging Criteria sheet) The Judging Criteria can be downloaded from the MAV website at The Judging Criteria sheet has 4 Criteria with a total of 11 categories. Each category is scored as High, Medium, Low or Not Evident. Each category receives a corresponding score of 4, 3, 2, or 0. The highest possible score is 44.

1.Communication (4 categories) 2.Understanding (4 categories) 3.Ideas & Resources (2 categories) 4.Presentation (1 category) (Please refer to Judging Criteria sheet)

Interest Explore Create Question Communicate Think Solve problems Collaborate Time management Design Success Rewards Real Life/Meaningful

Mathematics, not presentation or multimedia expertise, forms the basis of judging decisions- Topics must be age appropriate Demonstrate student ownership Demonstrate mathematical knowledge and use Provide clear evidence of student/group/class investigation process and development Context in which project developed is clear Contains a clearly stated acknowledgement of support

Judging- Thursday 14 th to Tuesday 19 th August at the State Judging Centre, La Trobe University, Bundoora It is compulsory for each metropolitan school to provide a minimum of two hours judging Where schools have more than five entries, an extra two hours of judging must be provided for every five extra entries or part thereof Regional schools are encouraged to participate in judging Judges who are independent of schools are also encouraged to participate in judging

Download the General Information Booklet, the Student Information and the Judging Rubric from the MAV, MTQ website at Refer to the Questions and Answer section on MAV, MTQ website Speak to the MTQ coordinators at or phone 9380 Contact MTQ coordinators regarding MTQ Teacher/School PD’s Photographs are of prior years judging and investigation entries