The World of
Science
ViduJaya exhibition at J'pura University
-Janani Amarasekara
The University of Sri Jayewardenepura has organised a series of
activities throughout the year to celebrate its 50th Golden Jubilee
which falls this year. The science, management and arts exhibition
titled 'ViduJaya' is a part of these celebrations.
The exhibition would be conducted under the theme "Science for social
transformation" to promote science and technology among the public and
schoolchildren. It would be held from February 19 - 23 at the University
of Sri Jayewardenepura, Nugegoda.
This exhibition would be conducted by eight departments of the
Faculty of Applied Science - Botany, Chemistry, Food Science and
Technology, Forestry and Environmental Science, Mathematics, Physics,
Statistics and Computer Science and Zoology to highlight examples of
science and its impact on society.
The exhibition would also cover a range of disciplines, including
life sciences, physical sciences, environmental sciences and
mathematical sciences. It would be of educational value to A/L, O/L and
junior schoolchildren.
Here, we feature some of the things you may be able to see if you
visit the Department of Mathematics at the exhibition.
Enjoy mathematics!!!
Do you like mathematics? Some may say 'Yes' and some may say 'No.' Do
you find mathematics a challenging subject, especially if you are in the
O/L class? Most will say 'Yes'. According to recent surveys, about 50
per cent of local students fail mathematics at their O/L examination.
Lecturer, Department of mathematics, Naleen Ganegoda said: "As Sri
Lankans, how can we even think we don't have mathematical knowledge and
skills? Our great ancestors constructed large pagodas, statues and
buildings with amazing plans with mathematical measurements and
calculations. But, it is sad that now we cannot even proceed with a
simple geometric construction in an exam paper.
"We seem worst when it comes to geometry, but even in other areas of
mathematics, we don't fare well.
We need a change in our minds that mathematics is always with us and
that without it, we cannot be confident in any business," he said.
You will get unprecedented exposure to different mathematical aspects
in many fields.
Just think about checking the balance when you purchase goods from a
shop; this shows the need for arithmetic. If you have to design a
flowerbed in your garden in a rectangular shape, that is geometry.
What about making a Vesak lantern or any other religious decoration?
Here, measuring lengths, cutting blocks, drawing creative carvings and
attaching shapes together are all related to geometry. Now, we
understand how mathematics is always with us. So, let’s march together
with more knowledge and skills in mathematics.
You will get a great opportunity to see some of the things we must do
to perform well in mathematics, especially how interesting the field of
geometry is, at the 'ViduJaya' exhibition.
The Department of mathematics would have many stalls on these
different aspects and you will see some amazing and eye-catching sights
like a pagoda in a pyramid with exact ancient ratio measurements,
archaeological findings to do with the construction of Buddha statues, a
model of the Eiffel Tower made of bonded wooden strips, a human skeleton
showing interesting ratios, display of geometric shapes using
kitchenware and many more creative exhibits. Sounds amazing, isn't it?
This would be an opportunity that you should not miss! |