Zebra Maths
An Initiative by Anu Oruganti
What’s with Zebras & Maths
Maths is a seemingly a ‘Black & White’ and ‘1s and 0s’ subject with a clear Right & Wrong Calculation, akin to zebra stripes may appear black and white. A continuum of black and white modelled from a Zebra’s skin could create an optical illusion or create a new reality. In reality, Zebra stripes are not just black or white, but a complex pattern of alternating stripes of varying thickness and darkness. The stripes are not just for decoration, but serve a functional purpose in helping the zebras to blend into their environment and avoid predators.
Its my belief that that Maths needs to be seen, understood and appreciated a subject beyond calculations, theorems, corollaries, or a starting point to enter a digital world. It is important to note that mathematics, like any other field of study, is not just one thing. Different branches of mathematics: algebra, calculus, geometry, trigonometry, and statistics, each with their own unique features and applications. And just as there are different types of zebras with different stripe patterns, there are also different mathematical concepts and tools that can be used to solve different types of problems.
So, while the zebra stripes may appear as black and white, the beauty, the pattern, the complexity and the enigma truly capture the imagination needed to master mathematics – a diverse and dynamic field that involves a range of concepts and methods. My approach of "Zebra Maths" is an engaging way to teach advanced math concepts and involve several strategies and activities that appeal to different learning styles and interests.
Zebra Maths - A positive attitude towards math and building a solid foundation for future learning
Weekly Sessions
Each program consists of its own weekly theme, so that there is something new to anticipate with each coming week
Assignments
Assignments are designed to promote deeper understanding of concepts and practical applications of maths: whether it’s learning how to design an Egyptian Pyramid or calculating square-roots
Ask & Improve
Sessions are essentially two-way with lots of scope to adjust learning speed to grasp & understand the topics
Speed & Agility
Well established tenets from mathematics from several hundreds of years, even before the calculators were invented, to provide students with an unparalleled edge in ‘brain computing’ and ‘crunching numbers’. Specific Zebra Maths courses formulated to transfer these ancient principles of mathematics to both middle-school and higher-secondary school students.
Customized tutorial sessions to improve performance in the ‘curriculum’
While our programs encourage student learners to become better independent learners, we’ve also included special sessions curated to help perform better in the mathematics topics included in the school curriculum.
