A YOUNG student from Dublin 15 did his school proud in the finals of the MATHletes Challenge 2014 and won himself a scholarship at a prestigious summer camp.
Luke McMahon of Scoil Mhuire Snr in Blakestown was a finalist in the competition that’s designed to improve the standard of Ireland’s math students and will now attend a residential summer camp in Connemara at Kylemore Abbey later this month.
He was one of 3,000 students from 5th and 6th class in the junior cycle and 1st, 2nd and 3rd years in the senior cycle who took part in the MATHletes Challenge.
And Luke was one of only 150 who qualified for the National Finals, having come through as a top performer in the Provincial Finals.
MATHletes uses the global leader in free online STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) education – the Khan Academy – and it’s hoped it will revolutionise the way Maths is taught in Ireland.
Launched last February MATHletes is the brainchild of Cork based tech entrepreneur Sean O’Sullivan of SOSventures and Department of Education and Skills Junior Minister Ciaran Cannon.
“Ireland is languishing in the middle of the European pack when it comes to the STEM subjects,
? said O’Sullivan.
“The introduction of the Khan Academy to Irish students through the MATHletes Challenge is just one part of an overall strategy to improve the standard of Irish students in maths.
“By developing a stronger foundation in maths, Irish students will be well-equipped with key skills that are required to take up jobs in export-led high-tech that are so desperately looking for talent.
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