The Department of Mathematics at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) successfully attracted visitors’ attention during the Math Festival 2024, held at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA) at Universitas Negeri Semarang (UNNES) on Saturday, October 19, 2024. The event was not only participated in by UGM but also by the Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB), with both universities showcasing innovations in educational mathematical tools and games.
UGM’s booth became one of the main highlights of the festival. Visitors, mostly junior and senior high school students from Semarang and surrounding areas, were enthusiastic about trying the various educational math games provided. Additionally, the live coding demonstration using RStudio, presented by UGM’s team, was a major attraction, especially for those interested in the application of mathematics in technology.
The excitement increased as visitors who successfully completed the game challenges received exclusive merchandise from UGM. This made the UGM booth even more crowded, creating an engaging educational interaction between the participants and the UGM team.
The participation of UGM’s Department of Mathematics in this event also serves as a tangible contribution toward achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 4, which aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. By offering interactive and enjoyable learning methods, UGM supports efforts to enhance mathematical literacy among young students.
Math Festival 2024 not only served as a platform for universities to showcase innovation but also strengthened the spirit of collaboration in improving the quality of mathematics education in Indonesia. Through its various innovative programs, UGM once again demonstrated its commitment to making mathematics an accessible and enjoyable subject for all.
Keywords: Mathematics Education, Quality Education, University Collaboration
Author: Endang Sulastri
Photo: Priscilla Deviana Tachija