MICROSOFT EMPOWERS 500 STUDENTS TO ‘MAKE MATHS MATTER’ TO CELEBRATE 30 YEARS IN IRELAND
75 Microsoft employees worked with Junior Achievement Ireland to reach out to 500 primary school students to enjoy a fun-filled maths skills workshop called Make Maths Matter. Microsoft hosted ‘Make Maths Matter’ at its Sandyford headquarters for local 5th and 6th class students on May 26th. Simultaneously, other Microsoft team members delivered the same programme in primary schools across Dublin to celebrate its 30th year in Ireland.
Make Maths Matter is a programme designed by Junior Achievement Ireland. The students enjoy a series of modules promoting math skills through games and showcasing the relevance of maths and its uses in our everyday lives. Speaking about Microsoft’s support of Make Maths Matter Ken Hickey, Microsoft Ireland said: “Microsoft is always looking at ways at which we can inspire students to learn in new ways and to further their interest in the STEM subjects. Junior Achievement’s Make Maths Matter programme breaks down the barriers that historically have prevented students from excelling in mathematics. For instance, one module see students take a virtual tour of Ireland and measure the distance in kilometres between various towns and cities on a road map – so maths becomes less abstract and participants can clearly visualise what numbers represent. Our employees have taken the course and delivered it to students today both here in Microsoft and in local Dublin schools – and all involved are learning and having fun.”
Ann Butler, Operations Director, Junior Achievement Ireland said: “Make Maths Matter has been a programme we are very passionate about in Junior Achievement. To date, the programme has been a great success with many teachers adapting some of the course in their own maths class. We were delighted to have the support of Microsoft to deliver this programme to more schools and students in Dublin than we have ever reached before.”
This year Microsoft is celebrating 30 years in Ireland. Employees wanted to undertake a volunteering initiative to mark this significant milestone. They chose Junior Achievement, a long term partner of Microsoft to work with and deliver the Make Maths Matter programme to a large number of students across Dublin.
Students from the following schools enjoyed Make Maths Matter through Microsoft: St. Kevin’s Sallynoggin, St. Raphaela’s Stillorgan, Queen of Angels Ballaly, St. Joseph’s Dun Laoghaire, St. Attracta’s Ballinteer, St. Laurence’s Stillorgan, Holy Cross Dundrum, and Guardian Angels’ Blackrock.