Scribd
Upload
33 views1 page

Case Study Achieve 3000

Esther Mahlangu, a renowned Ndebele artist, is using traditional geometric art to teach math concepts to students from underprivileged schools at the Sci-Bono Discovery Center in Johannesburg. Her vibrant murals illustrate principles like symmetry and the Pythagorean Theorem, making math relatable and culturally relevant. This initiative aims to address educational disparities left by apartheid, helping students appreciate both mathematics and their cultural heritage.

Uploaded by

Roshan Shaikh
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
33 views1 page

Case Study Achieve 3000

Esther Mahlangu, a renowned Ndebele artist, is using traditional geometric art to teach math concepts to students from underprivileged schools at the Sci-Bono Discovery Center in Johannesburg. Her vibrant murals illustrate principles like symmetry and the Pythagorean Theorem, making math relatable and culturally relevant. This initiative aims to address educational disparities left by apartheid, helping students appreciate both mathematics and their cultural heritage.

Uploaded by

Roshan Shaikh
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 1

Case Study: Learning Math Through Art (Achieve 3000)

At the Sci-Bono Discovery Center in Johannesburg, renowned Ndebele artist Esther Mahlangu is
using her tribe’s traditional geometric art to help students from
underprivileged schools grasp key mathematical concepts.

Her vibrant murals, which include shapes like circles, squares,


triangles, and cylinders, are not just beautiful but also serve as
educational tools. The intricate patterns in the artwork reflect the
mathematical principles of symmetry, proportion, and geometry.
These designs are used in lessons to teach students concepts such
as the Pythagorean Theorem, which relates to right-angled
triangles, and the relationship between a circle’s circumference
and diameter. Through this approach, the center aims to make
math more relatable and show students that geometry is embedded in their own cultural heritage.

This initiative is particularly significant in addressing the educational challenges left by


apartheid, which still affects many South African schools today. Most students in impoverished
areas lack access to quality education and resources, making it difficult to engage with subjects
like mathematics. By connecting geometry lessons to the Ndebele tribe’s art, the Sci-Bono
Discovery Center is bridging the gap between culture and education. The students not only learn
math but also gain a deeper appreciation of their own cultural traditions. Prince Vusi Mahlangu
from the Ndebele tribe supports the project, noting the importance of using traditional knowledge
to inspire and uplift the next generation.

Questions:

1. How do the geometric patterns in Ndebele artwork help students understand


mathematical concepts such as the Pythagorean Theorem?

2. In a section of the mural, there is a right triangle where one leg is 8 meters and the other
leg is 6 meters. What is the length of the hypotenuse?

3. In what ways does integrating Ndebele art into math lessons help address the educational
gaps created by apartheid in South Africa?

4. How can cultural heritage be used as an effective tool in teaching abstract mathematical
concepts like symmetry and proportion?

5. The murals created by Esther Mahlangu often feature geometric shapes. If one of her
murals includes a large triangle with a base of 10 meters and a height of 6 meters, what is
the area of the triangle?

You might also like