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Math Education: Serious Challenge in Seventies by Jean Ahlvik Jj Thompson, Head of Mathematics at B.H.S., has not been dismayed by the debunking of the old rationale for teaching mathematics., It used to be said that Math was good mental discipline and -çould be studied to develop ine mind. Although evidence s not absolutely conclusive, it now appears that Math is not superior to other subjects as mental exercise. For Jack Thompson this is not exactly a stunning blow, he has always considered the mathematics secondary to the process involved in teaching. Math is used as the vehicle which the students use to develop their abilities to speak, explain, debate, draw conclusions and question. In fact, he speaks of mathemnatics as a language, a means of putting abstract ideas into manageable terms. To prove his point he used a complicated word problem from the grade 13 Differential Calculus exam. The signifi- cant points of the long sentence could be reduced to one small equation which showed the relationships among the various ideas much more clearly than the word sentence had done. According to Mr.Thompson, the importance of Mathema- tics as a language cannot be over emphasized for scientists and engineers because the language of Math gives them a tool to explain the phenomena they are working with. Perhaps the greatest inno- vation in education in recent years has been the introduc- tion of New Math. If I remember the advance publi- city correctly, students were to be taught a few new basic concepts and then they would be capable of far greater things in the realm of mathe- matics. Well, apparently, those great hopes did not ma- terialize. Mr. Thompson showing me an article entitled "The Great American New Math Swindle" in the Mathematics Bulletin,, ex- plained that the new math was not as new as it had been made out to be; it was largely a change in labelling. Asked if more material was now covered in the lower grades in EA, 'S ' W. E. LANG If you have a hearing problem or if your present hearing aid is in need of adjustment or repair Call 576-9811 Local 233 in Oshawa a certified hearing aid audioligist from Eaton's in Oshawa will give a complete audiometric hearing test and recommend and custom fit the aid that is best suited to your individual needs. There is no charge for this service. Repairs and batteries available for most makes and models. You can use your Eaton's Charge Account public school, he -admitted that it was but explained that this was not necessarilya resuit of the switch to new math. The idea is to introduce algebra and geometry earlier to demystify them; however, there is no attempt to deal with them beyond a very elementary level. This "s piral method" sounds good in theory, says Mr. Thompson, but it has not worked out too well in practice. Mr. Thompson shares the current concern forthe basic skills in education. Even high schools must be prepared to do some work on what he calîs the "bread and butter" of arithmetic calculations. How- ever, because students can be streamed according to their mathematical ability, it is possible to teach sophisticated mathematical concepts like r roups and differential calcu- us o the more gifted while students with less ablility can concentrate on practical ap- plications like fractions and decimals. Mr. Thompson would like to sec more streaming done so that the really gifted students would not be held back. He points out that certain profes- sions like engineering and medicine require advanced mathematics, but there is no special course for students who are headed in that direction. These students can work on their own, but the stimulation of working as a class would be of great benefit to them. Various other ways of reaching and stimulating the talented math students are tried. Each year, the Institute of Actuaries sponsors a Senior Math Contest. This is comple- mented by the University of Waterloo's Junior Math Con- test for students in grades 9-11. These contests are great incentives to the students involved. It is considered that the student who wins or places highly in these contests will eventually distinguish himself in the world of pure mathema- tics. Every year the math students take a trip to the University of Waterloo Com- puter Centre. They are given 20 minutes of instruction and then turned loose on the computer for the rest of the day. Waterloo graduate stu- dents are available to help with any difficulties the stu- dents may encounter. For some, this opportunity is so valuable that they even bring their lunches so they can have more time on the comnuter. The bus leaves Bowmanville at 7:00 a.m. and does not arrive back until the, early evening.' With this kind of enthusiasm from the students, it seems inevitablethat a Computer Science course will be intro- duced in the near future at B.H.S. The board of education computer centre in Port Hope could be used for such a course. No other new courses are being planned, because Mr. Thompson feels that each of the present courses could be changed and developed within the existing framework. He is slightly leery of dramatic sweeping changes . like the "new math' which is now being termed, at least in some circles, "a tragic mistake." According to Mr.Thompson, there are many challenges facing mathematics educa- tors. The development of the computer and the pocket calculator have liberated man from his limited ability to compute and remember. The space program has challenged man's conventional scientific and mathematical methods. The social sciences like sociology are relying increas- ingly on mathematics, and automation is using math both for interpretation and design. With ail of thèse 'new challenges to cope with, math- ematics educators must retain the emphasis on fundamentals and methods that bas always been the backbone of their study. Students must have the basic tools necessary to con- tinue learning as new concepts in mathematics are developed. Many of the old concerns are still crucial. Students must be able to calculate in their heads. They must be able to judge the reasonableness of an answer and they must learn the skill of generalizing. It is clear that Mr. Thompson and the math department at B.H.S. are treatîng these onerous re- sponsibilities very seriously. BETHANY Bowling Results At the mens bowling league this week, Gordon Woods won the high single with a score of 232. High triple was won by Ivor Williams with a score of 782. Games over 200: Ivor Williams 303, Jim MacDonald 233, Aime Curtis 224, Pete Englesman 211, Allan Will- iams 207. At the Bethany Mixed bowl- ing league, Beulah Robinson won the ladies high single with a score of 289 as well as winning the ladies high triple with a score of 649. Mens high single was won by Earl McQuaid with a score of 283 and Ken Sinclair won the mens high triple with a score Volupteers1 February was recognition month for the Candy Stripers and Adult Volunteers at the hospital, when the Women's Hospital Auxiliary sponsored a Mother and Daughter Tea for the Candy Stripers. This was held in the cafeteria of the hospital, and during the even- ing Mr. J. Hooper, Director of Nursing, presented 7 Candy Stripers with pins, badges, and stripes for their caps. These were donated by the Auxiliary according to the number of hours service given during 1974. of 647. Games~over 200: Ruby Lyman 274-228, Keather Hors- lin 242-209, Steven McGîll 242-200, Margaret Weatherilt 226, Peter Englesman 223-204, Hilda Bigelow 221, Pete Bor- row 219, Vi Little 217-207, Ken Larmer 214-201, Vivian Am- brose 214, Jim Kloepher 212-209, Diane Wilson 200. At the Senior Citizens Bi- weekly bowling, high lady was Lucy Borrow and high man was Pete Rowett. Runners up for the ladies was Mildred Britton and for the men, Gordon Britton. Personel Item Mr. and Mrs. Reg Palmer and sons, Alan and Christian ot Peterborough, visited with Mrs. Ina Palmer. Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Ransberry also called on Mrs. Ina Palmer. Senior Citizens The first Golden Star Senior Citizen meeting in March opened with "O Canada" and Pete Rowett presided. Mr. Rowett expressed apprecia- tion for the efforts put forth by the groups to produce such entertainung programmes. A card from Los Angeles from William Sheen and a thank you note from Emery Smith were read. The tulip quilt which was made by some of the ladies is now nearing completion, the last quilting session will be at the next meeting. Applications for a "chance" trip to Ottawa were distribu- ted and income tax informa- tion booklets were made available. Mr. and Mrs. Wes. McMa- hon were invited by the group leader, Mrs. Mildred Fallis, to show some of their travel films. Their pictures from their trip to Alaska were most interestng, as they showed how they were transported over many and varied miles by train, bus, and boat. The picturesque views showed the natural colors of beauty all along their journey. Mr. A. Lethbridge, a direct- or of Social Service, was introduced by the president, then he itemized the activities of the Golden Stars which is to be presented to the provincial government, as a grant is available, if the application is accepted. Bethany W.L Many members from the Bethany Womens Institute enjoyed a very informative tour;of the Devils Elbow Ski Club during the March meet- ing. Fred Hackenburg acted as the guide and showed the meénbers many outstanding features and excellent facili- ties of the club. The tour was enjoyed by ail. Members then gathered at the home of Mrs. Addison Scott for a short business meeting and the president Mrs. Hector Morton presided. Members answered the roll call "What we learned from our tour of our local ski hills". Mrs. Vincent Jackson read the minutes and gave the treasur- ers report and a discussion followed concerning filling in the forms for short courses which are available. In the fall, the Bethany W.I. ho e to sponsor a cooking secol agan, the date will be announced at a later time. The District Annual will be held in Cavan this year on May 6. The cost per person is two dollars and everyone has been asked to make a neck- lace, bracelet, etc. from macaroni, beads, etc. These articles will be sold with the proceed going to Nutrition Mrs. Ross Carr commented on the motto "Honest toil is the price of success," and Mrs. Belle Smith also read a poem1. News Five adults who had given over 200 hrs. of service each, were presented with pins by Mr. R.E. Elston, Administra- tor of the hospital, and Mr. W.J. Innis, Director of Special Services. ' These pins were donated by the Hospital Board. During the evening Mrs. S. James as President of the Women's Auxiliary, brought greetings from that organization. Mrs. O. Cobban representing the Hospital Board expressed their ap- preciation for the many hours given during 1974. The total number of hours given by the Candy Stripers was 3,908 and the Adults gave 5,177 hours. At the close of the evening Mrs. D. Childs, Director of Volun- teer Services, was presented with a pin and bouquet of red roses in appreciation of her leadership and many hours of service. Mrs. F. Yates, assist- ant to Mrs. Childs was presented with a pin in appreciation of her hours of service. Members of the Women's Auxiliary served a delicious lunch. Right now your blood is keeping billions of cells alive. Reaching even the smallest capillaries - some only one fiftieth the size of a single human hair - blood transports all the necessities of life to your body. No wonder a donation of blood to the Red Cross from anyone who takes the time to give is truly a gift of life for a person in need. Section Two The Canadian Statesman, Bowmanville, March 19, 1975 Spring Is Taking Off0. . aond so are Weddings See Oùr Gowns for the Mothers of the Bride and Groom, Gowns for the Bridesmaids and guests. Carter' ci one étrettbt. Bond Towers Shopping Mail 44 Bond St. W. Downtown Oshawa 576-7152 'A Special Shop for Special Women N The Rotary Club Needs YOUR Support to Reach Their Easter Seal Objective PLEASE GIVE NurserySchool Teachers SpendDevelopment Day Studying Pre-Schoolers04 Bowmanville Nursery ment. Here the teachers School teachers spent an actually experienced creative interesting and informative movement and learned first day, Saturday, March 8, at the hand the importance and Ontario North Shore.Branch, versitility of it. Association of Early Child- At the conclusion everyone hood Education Annual Pro- agreed that it had been a day fessional Development Day. It well spent, where all involved .was held at the Consumer's had ganed new ideas and Gas Building, Whitby, and insights into the pre-school was attended by about 75 local child. Nursery School and Day Care Mrs. K. Cockwell, Mrs. E. teachers. Mrs. C. Goad, Mrs. Anderson, Mrs. C. Goad and E. Anderson, Mrs. E. Dunn Miss D. Gilbank are also and Miss D. Gilbank attended attending a ten week course in from Bowmanville. "Methods of Child Rearing" Our first speaker was Dr. offered by the Alexandra Gillian Gilcrist who spoke to Clinic, Oshawa. It is directed us about the Pre-School DiaOg- by Mr. o y aw skiP c h- nostic Clinic. She answered by Mr. Roy Bielawski, Psych- mny question Sheonseredn ometrist, at the Oshawa many questions concerning Hospital. the Denver Screening method and stress the importance of Here we are discussing al pre-school chil ren having different factors thatoinflu- it. ence a child's behavior (for After a sociable lunch break example bis birth order in the we heard from Mrs. Donna family) and ways of under- Wood who spoke to us about standing and coping with music for the pre-schooler them. Mrs. Wood suggested many We ils e havin~ stimulating ways in wlich to various guest speakers whicn present mnusie, both vocaîîy wîll include Dr. G.A. Rundie and instrumentallv. who is a pediatrician, in Our first workshop was OshawaI who works with soent wîth MissreltiCook who hyperactive children, in the did work with Creative Move- near future. Memorial Hospital a