The Maths Talent Quest (MTQ) is open to all primary and secondary students in Victoria and Tasmania.

The MTQ aims to promote interest in mathematics and foster positive attitudes amongst students, teachers and parents. The focus is on the process of mathematical investigations.

For Victorian students, many of the Victorian Essential Learning Standards can be addressed including:

•Communication•Design, Creativity and Technology•Information and Communications Technology (ICT)•Thinking Processes

For Tasmanian students the Essential Learnings can be addressed through: •Thinking•Communication•Social Responsibilities •Personal Futures

Projects and investigations cater for student diversity. They not only provide gifted and

talented students with the opportunity to show their ability and to follow interests, explore and research, they also allow students from diverse backgrounds, particularly those from different cultures and from rural centres, to show how

mathematics relates to their lives.

Who can enter?

How do we enter?

Entry formats

Awards

Getting started

Classroom management

Judging Criteria

• All students from P-12

• Entries can be:- Individual- groups up to 6- classes up to 30

• A maximum of 8 entries per year level

• Download the Information Booklet from the MAV website – this is your ‘Number 1’ source for MTQ information

• Complete your school judging and select which entries you are submitting to the MTQ

• Register online on the MAV website

• Entries close Wednesday 20th July

• Visit www.mav.vic.edu.au/studact/mtq.htm for further details

All entries must include a log, journal or rough workings.

• Investigation

• Creative writing

• Models

• Posters

• Technology-supported mathematics

• Games

• Film, video, audio tapes

Must include:

– An abstract

– Mathematical aims

– Observations and results

– Discussion on relevance of results

– Conclusion

– Log, journal or rough workings

• Real world maths or mathematical situations

• Sequential steps• Formulate own questions• Apply prior knowledge and

strategies• Explore systematically• Use mathematical

processes• Justify the results• Summarize the findings

• Essays/stories

• Collection of poems or letters

• Script for a play

• Must have a cover sheet showing - mathematical aims,

- key mathematical ideas,

- an evaluation

• Log, journal or rough workings

must be included

• Must reinforce a mathematical principle

• Be appropriately documented

• No larger than 70cmx70cmx70cm and 10kg

• Log, journal or rough workings must be

included

• Sequential presentation of the maths involved

• Be appropriately documented

• No larger than A1 and fit a Postpak cylinder

• Log, journal or rough workings must be

included

• Must highlight aspects of mathematics

• Be appropriately documented including a hard copy of your project

• Log, journal or rough workings must be

included

• Windows or Macintosh on CD ROM

• Show development of mathematical ideas from developer and player’s perspectives

• Appropriately documented – an evaluation of a trial.

• Original and creative

• Log, journal or rough workings must be

included

• Must illustrate producer’s development of mathematical ideas

• Appropriate documentation

• Script & indexed commentary

• No longer than 15 minutes

• Log, journal or rough workings must be

included

• Certificate of Participation for all

• Encouragement – Certificate

• Credit - Certificate

• Distinction and High Distinction – Certificates and Book Vouchers

• Outstanding investigations are selected to represent Victoria in National MTQ

• Distinction, High Distinction and National Awards Presentation Ceremony- 27th October - La Trobe University, Bundoora

• Start working with classes early

• Give students ideas and inspiration

• Brainstorm with students - what are their personal

interests? - sports? - hobbies?

- controversial questions?

• Excursions/Camps

• Local business or Community interests

• National or Global issues or interests

• Groups or whole of class

• MTQ vs classwork

• MTQ vs set project

• One lesson per week or whole of week

• Rewards- less formal homework– more time- more assistance

(Please refer to Judging Criteria sheet)

• The Judging Criteria can be downloaded from the MAV website at http://www.mav.vic.edu.au/studact/mtq.htm

• The Judging Criteria sheet has 4 Criteria with a total of 11 categories.

• Each category is scored as High, Medium, Low or Not Evident.

• Each category receives a corresponding score of 4, 3, 2, or 0.

• The highest possible score is 44.

1. Communication4 categories

2. Understanding4 categories

3. Ideas & Resources2 categories

4. Presentation1 category

(Please refer to Judging Criteria sheet)

• Interest• Explore• Create• Question• Communicate• Think• Solve problems• Collaborate• Time management• Design• Success• Rewards• Real Life/Meaningful

Mathematics, not presentation or multimediaexpertise, forms the basis of judgingdecisions.

• Topics must be age appropriate

• Demonstrate mathematical knowledge

• Have evidence of how student/group/class has investigated topic

• Integrated piece of work

• Context in which project developed

• Student ownership

• Acknowledgement of support

Judging runs from 8th-14th August at the State Judging Centre La Trobe University, Bundoora

• It is compulsory for each metropolitan school to provide a minimum of two hours judging

• Where schools have more than five entries, an extra two hours of judging must be provided for every five extra entries or part thereof

• Regional schools are encouraged to participate in judging

• Judges who are independent of schools are also encouraged to participate in judging

•Download the General Information Booklet, the Student Information and the Judging Rubric from the MAV, MTQ website at www.mav.vic.edu.au/studact/mtq.htm

•Refer to the Questions and Answer section on MAV, MTQ website www.mav.vic.edu.au/studact/mtq.htm

•Speak to the MTQ coordinators at office@mav.vic.edu.au or phone 9380 2399

•Contact MTQ coordinators regarding MTQ Teacher/School PD’s