TectoPower has for a long time collaborated with Smartmatte, an organisation that works to make mathematics both more fun and more relevant by linking schools and industry.
Smartmatte was founded by Pär Nershed, who has been working to strengthen relationships between schools and businesses since 1993. When he started Smartmatte in 2013, his ambition was clear: to help students see the benefits of maths by showing how it is used in everyday life in different workplaces. Pär himself describes the driving force behind the work as follows:
“I struggled with maths myself when I was at school and helping students see the benefits of maths feels just right. With Smartmatte, we want to show the students that maths is fun and important and is everywhere in society, while at the same time giving them an insight into the local business community with different workplaces and professions. The most fun part of Smartmatte is the maths workshop. Seeing pupils and representatives from different workplaces meet and do maths together while talking about jobs and the future is great fun.”
For us at TectoPower, participation in Smartmatte's workshops has become an appreciated feature. From TectoPower, Johan Fernlund, Johan Brehmer and Kristin Boissonneau-Gren have met students, talked about their roles and shown how maths is a natural and important part of our everyday life at TectoPower in everything from the preparation of new articles to marketing efforts. By working together with the students in various maths exercises, the conversations about the future, skills and career choices are both spontaneous and valuable.
We strongly believe in the importance of letting young people experience how maths is used in real life. That's why we're proud of our ongoing partnership with Smartmatte - and we look forward to continuing to inspire and excite the talents of tomorrow.
