"The Imperial Oil Foundation recognizes the importance of equipping teachers with the resources and tools they need to succeed in the classroom to encourage children's interests in math and science," says Mónica Samper, president, Imperial Oil Foundation.
Math Central is designed to increase K-12 teachers’ ability to deliver quality mathematics education in both English and French. It also supports parents in assisting their children’s learning, and provides students with self-help resources. The site allows students, teachers and the general public to ask questions pertaining to school activities and to “real life” situations and includes lesson plans, publications, and suggestions for science fair projects and activities to exercise the mind. Through a program called Mathematics with a Human Face, Math Central emphasises the human side of mathematics by showcasing careers of mathematicians. Future plans include a focus on the mathematics of indigenous people.
"I would like to thank the Imperial Oil Foundation for its generous support,” says University of Regina
President Robert Hawkins. “Math Central plays a critical role in promoting the importance of mathematics not
only in school, but also in day to day life. This gift will enable us to substantially increase the support Math Central
can provide to students, parents and teachers across the country and around the world.”
Since its inception in 1995, activity on the Math Central website has increased from 1,000 hits to nearly 50,000 hits every
day. The site is located at http://mathcentral.uregina.ca.
Diane Hanson is a former teacher who now works as a math and science consultant for the Regina Catholic Schools. She has
used Math Central to find activities for the classroom. “I recall an instance in my Grade Four classroom where a
student asked a question regarding a math problem. Not knowing the answer, I suggested we write to Math Central, and we
received a very nice answer explaining it in Grade Four terms,” she says.
Imperial Oil has been a proud part of Canada for 125 years, contributing to communities from coast to coast since its inception in 1880. That tradition of giving remains integral to Imperial Oil and in 2004, the company contributed over $10 million to more than 500 organizations across Canada with an emphasis on youth, education, and important community services.
Building Dreams and Futures is an ambitious campaign to raise funds for priority areas of the University of Regina, including student and research support, the Centre for Kinesiology, Health and Sport, and emerging priorities. The campaign aims to raise $100 million for the University, including $25 million in planned gifts. Information on the Building Dreams and Futures campaign and how to make a contribution is available at 1-877-779-4723 and www.uregina.ca/campaign.