Initiating Comath, IPB Students Win the National Mathematics Paper Competition

Three students of the Mathematics Department of IPB University, namely Imas Saumi Amalia, Olga Sacharissa Putri, and Reynaldo Heradi Kurniawan, won 3rd place in the national mathematics scientific writing competition in Mathematics Paper Competition 2019 organized by the Indonesian Mathematics Student Association (Ikahimatika) Region V at Malang State University, Sunday (03/31). The activity themed “Mathematics as an Innovative Role in Building Nation Creativity with Global Competitiveness” was attended by mathematics students from various universities in Indonesia.

Indonesia is ranked 63rd out of 70 countries in terms of mastery of mathematics, due to the lack of public facilities which are based on technology and art that can become a wider scope of mathematics learning in Indonesia. With this background, the team led by Imas Saumi developed the Comath (Castle of Mathematics) idea as a science and technology-based creative mathematics learning tool. This idea was inspired by the National Museum of Mathematics in New York.

“We made this idea to change the community mindset that mathematics is not difficult. We did this through the creation of science and technology museum idea that integrates mathematics creatively and pleasantly. This Comath is an all-mathematics science and technology museum built using mathematical concepts. In addition, all transaction activities in this museum will also use a transaction system and room concept based on mathematics,” said Olga, a member of the Comath team.

Knowing the low level of visit by Indonesian people to a museum, Olga and the team included contemporary elements in the idea of making this mathematical castle. The design of the building was made as unique as possible by adding various photo spots in the museum area.

“In addition, we also initiated Comath Cinema which plays mathematics education shows, Comath Playground where children can play while learning mathematics, as well as the Comath Gallery and Comath Library where visitors can improve mathematical literacy. Comath will also involve society in its implementation by forming a community,” said Olga.

Furthermore, this team hoped that this idea could be realized immediately in Indonesia. “Actually there are many educational museums in Indonesia, but there is no museum devoted to mathematics. Hopefully this idea can be realized so that it can contribute to increasing Indonesian students’ interest in mathematics. This is very important because mathematics is a science that underlies other fields of science and even plays a major role in the advancement of science and technology,” said the student who is also active in the Student Activity Unit of the Forum for IPB’s Scientific Studies (Forces). (LR/Zul/ZSP)