LearnStorm maths competition underway

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Pictured: Fingal Community College students Hannah Leonard, Olivia Sheridan, Colman Shek, Aleksandra Wierzbik at the launch of LearnStorm 2016

3 February 2016

Maths competition LearnStorm Ireland is now officially underway for students and schools.

Over the next nine weeks students from across the 32 counties will work to represent their school, county, and country with weekly leaderboards and monthly cups with the aim of earning a place at the All-Ireland in-person celebration events in May.

Powered by Khan Academy, a not-for-profit on a mission to provide a free, world-class education for anyone, anywhere, LearnStorm is available to students in Ireland with the support of The O’Sullivan Foundation and is being delivered locally by Camara Ireland.

Ireland is ranked 15th in maths and science according to a 2015 report on universal basic skills by the OECD, indicating a critical need to raise performance in numeracy and problem solving. LearnStorm aims to improve these skills through a free, fun challenge that is accessible from anywhere. Through weekly activities, LearnStorm also helps students develop effective learning strategies to change attitudes towards maths as a subject.

“With an expanding technology sector driving job growth in Ireland, it is critical that we equip our graduates with the mindset and tools to succeed in STEM fields and careers. Ireland has the potential to be the best performing country in the world in technical disciplines. Key to this is strengthening young people’s maths confidence and competence and, every year, LearnStorm helps teachers and students to do this. We are proud that Ireland is leading this global learning movement with Khan Academy,” said Kelly Kirkpatrick of the O’Sullivan Foundation.

Adam Bargroff from Camara Ireland said: “In 2015, over 500 teachers across Ireland participated, helping over 13,000 primary and secondary students complete more than 4 million minutes of learning maths skills. Based on early registrations for 2016, the challenge is poised for significant growth, with student and school signups already vastly exceeding previous years’ participation.”

LearnStorm Ireland is open to all students from 4th class to 5th year in the Republic of Ireland and from Primary 6 to Year 13 in Northern Ireland.

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