University mathematics school adds fun to figures

160 final-year students from 43 south-east Queensland high schools will discover the lighter side of mathematics when they fire water rockets and play detective at the University of Queensland on Friday, July 18.

The students were chosen from the 500 who applied to participate in the University's 1997 Mathematics Winter School.

School organiser Dr John Belward, from the University's Mathematics Department, said the aim of the day was to give students an idea of the studies and activities they would undertake in first year mathematics courses.

Students will use mathematics in four fun projects: a simulation of a fast-food outlet, a water powered rocket display in the University's Great Court, a graphical landscapes creation at the state-of-the-art visualisation laboratory and decoding of cryptic messages on a treasure trail around the campus.

Dr Belward said mathematics was an interesting career area, and a great number of jobs simply could not be done without the discipline.

'As an example, the images being beamed back from the Mars probe would not be as sharp as we see them without sophisticated mathematical calculations,' he said.

The Winter School, which will be overseen by Mathematics Department staff, runs from 10am to noon, and from 1pm to 3pm.

For further information, contact Dr Belward, telephone 07 336 53257.

NEWS EDITORS NOTE: Best vision available at the water rocket firing in the Great Court and in the visualisation laboratory.