AUS Math Festival celebrates numbers, creativity and achievement

Celebrating the beauty and relevance of mathematics while nurturing collaboration and innovation, American University of Sharjah (AUS) recently hosted the AUS Math Festival, drawing over 230 students from 28 schools across the region.

The Math Festival, organized by the Office of Enrollment Management's Sharakah Program in collaboration with the Department of Mathematics and Statistics in the College of Arts and Sciences, showcased a diverse range of activities designed to engage participants and deepen their understanding of mathematical concepts. Notable among these were two informative talks: "Journey into the World of Data Science: An Introduction with Real-World Case Studies," tailored for students, and "Teachers Workshop on AI Used in the Classroom," catering to educators' professional development needs.

"The AUS Math Festival is an opportunity for students and educators alike, forging essential connections between academia and schools. As we aim to foster meaningful ties and elevate mathematics education, this event plays a crucial role in our collective journey," said Hala Al Jundi, Sharakah Program Officer at AUS.

The festival’s poster competition allowed students to showcase their creativity and understanding of mathematical principles through artistic expression. One of the winning posters, titled "Formula 1," was created by Zina Al Kharraz, Dalia Zein and Heba Al Halawani from Al Mawakeb School. Another remarkable entry, "Equations for Sustainable Sports," was created by Mohammad Fahad from the American School of Creative Science. Additionally, "Unveiling the Secrets Behind Sporting Triumphs" by Leen Hani and Doha Emad from Taryam American Private School stood out among the submissions.

Houda Dahwich, a math teacher at Al Ittihad Private National School-Shakhbout, emphasized the festival's significance.

"These events deepen students' appreciation for math, sparking curiosity and innovation. They provide a collaborative environment for creative engagement, enhancing problem-solving skills. I'm proud to be part of an institution promoting math literacy through events like the Math Festival, confident their impact will endure beyond its conclusion," she said. 

The festival also featured individual and group Olympiads that challenged participants’ problem-solving skills. Among the individual Olympiad winners were Basil Zoubi from GEMS Wellington, Aditi Yadav from GEMS Wellington, Aaliyah Galandaz from the International School of Creative Sciences, Maitha Salim from Sharjah American International School - UAQ, Amal Backer from Delhi Private School and Wade'a Ahmad from Al Maarifa International School. 

"The competition was both challenging and enjoyable, prompting us to approach problems with fresh perspectives. I particularly appreciated the nature of the questions, which required independent thinking rather than relying on prior knowledge," said Zoubi.

GEMS Wellington emerged as the top-performing school in the Olympiad, followed by the International School of Creative Sciences - Sharjah and GEMS Modern Academy.

For more information on the Sharkah program and the benefits it offers partner schools, visit www.aus.edu/sharakah.