Mathematics Volunteer Programme participants receive awards
Tuesday 25 April saw the presentation of certificates for participation and completion of the Mathematics Volunteer Programme - a volunteer tutoring scheme where TU Dublin students assist pupils from local DEIS schools with their mathematics learning.
The Mathematics Volunteer Programme (MVP) is a collaboration between the School of Mathematics & Statistics and TU Dublin access and outreach services. It is extremely popular, having a significant impact on local schools in the Tallaght area and contributing to the academic, professional and social development and community awareness of our students.
In 2022/23, the MVP project paired TU Dublin students based on the Tallaght location with schoolchildren from ten local DEIS schools. These university students helped and supported 5th-year secondary-school students as tutors to develop their abilities in mathematics and to achieve their potential in this subject. It is an immensely rewarding programme for all participants which contributes to breaking down mathematics as a perceived barrier to higher education.
The experiences of tutors and secondary-school students speak for themselves.
The experience helped me get a job in teaching. (Tiernan Brennan, MSc student in Mechanical Engineering, tutor)
... [it was] a rewarding opportunity to explore tutoring with educational benefit for students. I felt I was giving back to the community. (Clementine Monahan, 2nd year Mathematical Sciences student, tutor)
It helped me understand the parts of Maths I didn’t understand before. (Rebecca Friery, Deansrath Community College)
It gave us different ways of doing Maths and we got to see the University campus. (Keren Diba, Mount Seskin Community College)
I feel more prepared now to do my Maths exams. (Hiba Alcharabi, St Kevin’s Community College)
The MVP programme was led by Mathematics Engagement Coordinator, Dr Aisling McGlinchey, and mathematics lecturer, Ciaran O’Sullivan, from the School of Mathematics & Statistics, who ensure the ongoing success of the project. The organisation involves a lot of background preparation and work and the School recognises the significant positive contribution they make through this work.
The Mathematics Volunteer Programme (MVP) Awards take place annually at the completion of the programme to reward all participants and to mark their achievements. Well done to everyone who took part.