BY EBELE ORAKPO

Stefan Banach, a Polish mathematician considered to have been one of the 20th century’s most important and influential mathematicians described Mathematics as the most beautiful and most powerful creation of the human spirit.

Unfortunately, to many, mathematics is a nightmare. It has kept so many away from their dream of acquiring a tertiary education because it is a compulsory subject. Experts have argued that maths in itself is not difficult given the right teachers and the right amount of practice time. To fulfil his dream of making math a darling of students, Olatunji Moshood Abiola, a 400-level student of Mathematics Education at the University of Lagos, came up with an innovation he calls Math Race, a board game which helps children learn while having fun. In this chat with Vanguard Learning, the author of The Good Side of Failure, speaks on his invention. Excerpts:

INSPIRATION for the invention:

“Right from when I was in SSS1, I have always wondered about the possibility of a math board game just like the ludo game. I know children love to have fun by playing games. Ever since then, I have been working on it. Fortunately for me, I got the right pattern and design of the game when I went to urinate at the Elkanemi Hall of the University of Lagos. The design of the toilet tiles gave me the clue on what the pattern should look like.

Family game:

Math Race 1: “This is a mathematics board game for primary 2-6 children. This game will enhance their ability to know addition, subtraction, multiplication and division at the same time while having fun. A maximum of six players can play at a time. It can also be played by only one player. But the more the players, the more interesting it is. It is also a family game. Parents can play with their children. It can also be used for adult education and school inter-house sports competition.

The sweetest thing is that it keeps getting easier.

Other inventions: “After the invention of MATH RACE 1, I also invented MATH RACE 2, a modified version of MATH RACE 1 with the introduction of negative numbers; and also MATH WAR, which enhances their ability to know multiplication table from 1-12. A maximum of four and minimum of two can play at a time.

The game has been play-tested by almost 50 children.

MATH RACE 1 and MATH RACE 2 are played with just one die and MATH WAR is played with a duodecagon die .i.e. a die with 12 sides.

Benefits:“Firstly, to solve the problem of the abstract nature of Mathematics.

Secondly, to make children excited about  mathematics.

Thirdly, to enhance and stimulate their interest in Mathematics. To make them learn maths while they have fun. Lastly, to ensure a sound mathematical foundation for everybody,” he said.

Combining academics and innovation: “It wasn’t easy considering the fact that we do a lot of courses in my faculty. So, I spent one hour in the laboratory everyday. To me, the laboratory is anywhere – hostel, class, home or around the faculty. I just make sure I spent one hour a day thinking about a problem and finding a way to solve it.”

Challenges: “During the process of invention of MATH RACE 1, my mother started complaining as a result of the dice. She thought I was into gambling. So, I had to isolate myself to play-test the game. At first, the addition and subtraction were solved. I wanted to stop there. Later, I introduced colour in order for the game to perform multiplication and division.

After that, I encountered another problem, a situation whereby players get stuck at the middle and they could play for four hours without a winner. So, I introduced the action cards for colour red, which tells a player to perform some specific action like ‘add 10’.”

Launching: “It has not been launched. All I have with me is a prototype version of the game. I mean a computer design print-out that is laminated and the seeds.”

Accessibility: “For now, schools cannot have access because it is not yet in its final stage. That is why I am seeking the help of coporate organisations and well-meaning Nigerians to produce the games and make them available to Nigerians.

The game can be produced in two versions – Board game version which should be plastic and the cards must also be plastic because children can easily break things, and the Electronic version, whichshould be in the form of an iPad. The three games will be programmed on it. The dice will be made in such a way that when children roll it on screen, it will be enticing. The iPad must be plastic also and should have Update…. where they can update the iPad online to add more games.”

For classroom/extra- curricular activities: “It is an extra curricular activity. Just like teaching aids, it will stimulate student interest in mathematics.

It is mainly for children within basic 2-6. The colours denote the action to perform. Green=addition, yellow=multiplication, blue=subtraction, black=division and red=pick a card. There are 12 cards a player can select from. And the player performs the action on the card like ‘subtract 15’.