A MONTHLY SUPPLEMENT OF RAKAN SARAWAK BULLETIN (People, events, activities and programmes which make for a total quality-managed Sarawak Civil Service) ISSN 1394-5726

Online Publisher:          Contents provided by:	Mathematics Park in Bintangor: Discover the Elements of Purposeful Play Puan Maria Dris, Principal of Rajang Teacher's Collage Little is probably known that a small college in the central region of Sarawak would one day be a recipient of a prestigious international award. Having won the second prize from the Commonwealth Association of Science, Technology and Mathematics Educators (CASTME) Awards Scheme, Rajang Teacher's College in Bintangor proves that constructing the park was worth all the efforts. Similarly, it teaches us a lesson that we probably know by heart-hard work and cooperation among the people in the community are key elements if we want a project done and sustained. At first glance, the Mathematics Park of Rajang Teacher's College in Bintangor is probably no different from what a traditional park is - one that is built for its users to play. But certainly, there is more to discover in this park than what our eyes can see. In 1995, Rajang Teacher's College embarked on the idea of using recreational mathematics to stimulate the interest and enthusiasm of students towards Mathematics. The construction of the park started off with a RM 10,000 grant from the then Minister of Education in Sarawak, YB Dato Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Tun Abang Haji Openg and with another RM 10,000 grant from YB Tan Sri Datuk Amar (Dr.) Alfred Jabu anak Numpang the following year. There is more to discover in Mathematics Park than what our eyes can see. At first glance, the Mathematics Park in Bintangor looks like an ordinary park. The school personnel knew that the construction of the park would require a substantial amount of money and felt the money might not be enough. There were doubts initially whether the project was viable. But thanks to proactive and innovative school personnel who dreamed of something good for their students. Armed with a strong support from the community and with a vision, the college personnel pushed through with the project. With these funds and through the cooperation and hard work of the lecturers and groundsmen, the college was able to set up the 13 mathematics stations in a plot of land measuring 50 by 40 metres within the landscaped grounds of the college. It can accommodate a maximum of about 65 students at a time. Now, the park has 13 stations where specific activities are carried out. Puan Maria Dris, Principal, encourages students to visit the park and experience the joy of learning Mathematics. "Like most parks, the Mathematics Park of Rajang Teacher's College was set up for its users to play and while playing learning can take place. However, what differentiates this park from conventional parks is the element of purposeful play that is incorporated into the ac-tivities de-signed for each station." With the construc-tion of this park, students from about 30 rural primary schools in the district have now an interesting alternative to learn Mathematics. And the school personnel have high hopes the Mathematics Park will help make Rajang Teacher's College a centre of excellence in Mathematics in Sarikei.
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