Teens ‘feel more prepared now to do my maths exams’

A NUMBER of local secondary school students received certificates at TU Dublin’s annual Mathematics Volunteer Programme Awards last week.

Students from Mount Seskin Community College, Caritas College in Ballyfermot, St Kevin’s Community College and Deansrath Community College proudly received their awards.

The teenagers had all taken part in TU Dublin’s Mathematics Volunteer Programme, which involves TU Dublin students working with second-level students from local DEIS schools.

The programme aims to help and support the development of the school students’ abilities in mathematics.

The fifth year school students attended sessions over four weeks in TU Dublin Tallaght Campus, which culminated in the awards ceremony on campus last Tuesday, April 25.

The students were all enthusiastic about their experience on the programme, and how it had helped them to develop their maths skills.

“It helped me understand the parts of maths I didn’t understand before,” Rebecca Friery from Deansrath Community College said.

Keren Diba from Mount Seskin Community College added: “It gave us different ways of doing maths and we got to see the university campus.”

Hiba Alcharabi from St Kevin’s Community College commented: “I feel more prepared now to do my maths exams.”

The programme was led by mathematics engagement project coordinator Dr Aisling McGlinchey and mathematics lecturer Ciaran O’Sullivan.

It was also composed of a team of current TU Dublin students, who volunteered their time to tutor and were effusive in their praise for the programme.

Tutor Tiernan Brennan, who is a master’s student in mechanical engineering, said: “The experience helped me get a job in teaching.”

Clementine Monahan, a second year mathematical sciences student, said the experience was “a rewarding opportunity to explore tutoring with educational benefits for students.

“I felt I was giving back to the community.”

For full access to all content on Echo.ie and to support the continuation of local news and local journalism in your community subscribe HERE. Thanks for your ongoing support.