Brendan O’Sullivan, a maths teacher in Davis College, Mallow, has designed a free resource for schools across the county. On behalf of the Cork branch of the Irish Maths Teachers’ Association, Brendan created six posters on topics like the Pythagoras theorem, the origins of zero and how the ‘-b’ formula was developed, and each member of the branch will receive a set during the coming weeks.
Brendan is delighted with the finished product, saying that, “a lot of people can have a negative experience with maths and these posters offer a fresh perspective. By looking at the history behind a concept and how it developed through the ages, it can capture the students’ imagination. I really looked for examples of how the maths is used in different ways outside the classroom also. This is to give some added relevance and encourage students to view the maths as useful to their own lives.”
Brendan is a familiar face in maths education nationally. He served as national secretary and then chairperson of the IMTA from 2011 to 2019, and has previously written a successful revision book for Junior Cycle students.