Finding meaning and meter in Maths, Apeejay Saket students raise their numbers quotient

Albert Einstein once said: “Pure Maths is in its way poetry of logical ideas”. Maths as a discipline is both most feared and revered at the same time. It is a subject that builds the logical capabilities of the pupils and places them in a space where they can understand and participate in the pragmatics of the world. Commemorating this vision, Apeejay School Saket started the ‘Dr. Stya Paul Memorial Mathematics Quest’, an annual inter-school event, in 2012. It is a tribute to the group’s Founder Chairman, Dr Stya Paul who was a keen and proficient mathematician. It provides both students and teachers a conducive platform to explore their innate potential and discover real-world Mathematics beyond the classroom.

Apeejay School Saket Principal Dr Sujeet Eric Masih welcomed the Chief Guest of the programme Dr G N Dayananda, Scientist and Head Technology Management Directorate, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research.  Dr Masih encouraged the students by reciting a couplet by celebrated Urdu poet Wasim Barelvi “Jahan rahega wahaan roshni lutayega, Kisi chiraag ka apna makaan nahin hota” (Wherever it goes it spread its light, a lamp does not have one home”. The event commenced with the auspicious lighting of the lamp amidst soulful rendition of the shlokas.

Vaastavi Kumar of Class 12 gave an insightful presentation on Cryptography. She highlighted the importance of Cryptography in electronic money matters, social media and other fields. She further shared how cryptography was also used by Julius Caesar as a security mechanism for sending messages.  It was followed by an aesthetic Alarippu dance performance by Priyadarshini Anindita Raj, depicting various lines and angles. 

The esteemed panel of judges to grace the occasion included Dr A.K. Rajput, Professor and Head, NCERT, Dr Stya Bhushan, Professor, Department of Statistics, NCERT, Dr.Rahul Sofat, Lecturer, Department of Mathematics, Air Force Golden Jubilee Institute, New Delhi and Ms. Amandeep Kaur Lamba , President Of Origami Oritai , Japan Origami Foundation, New Delhi. 

Chief guest Dayananda enlightened students about the role of platonic solids in human’s quest for colonies in outer space.

This creative mathematical fiesta witnessed students participating in five competitions. The competitions to test the intellect of the students were Ori-geometry for class 4 students, Toys from Trash for students of class 5 , Mathematique Lampe for classes 6-8, Mathematica Quiz for classes 9-10 and Mathematics extempore for senior classes of 11-12.

The event saw a whopping participation of 73 national and international schools.  Such an enthusiastic response from the students reveals that mathematics reveals what the eye cannot.