For the first time in the Polish Mathematical Olympics, a girl won: 17-year-old Magdalena Box from the 5th High School in Krakow. In addition to her, the first prize was also received by Mateusz Wawrzyniak, who obtained the same number of points.
– I am, of course, very happy – says Magdalena Box, a student of the 5th High School in Krakow. – I hope that he will inspire someone and that in the future we will have more winners – he adds.
17-year-old Magdalena Box is a real queen of the queen of sciences. Recently, Magdalena became the first woman-medium woman of the National Mathematical Olympics. This competition has a 76-year history. Mateusz Wawrzyniak became a co -cutter.
– In the case of Magda, it was visible from the beginning in the first grade that this is already a vaccinated passion – says Jacek Dymel, a mathematics teacher at the 5th High School in Krakow.
What is behind the success of the 17-year-old?
However, this is not the end. Literally a few days ago, Magda returned to Poland with the Girls' Gold Medal of the European Mathematical Olympics. She took third place in the general classification and the first among players from Europe. Until now, no Polish woman has achieved such success.
– I took part in many preparatory camps, besides a very large part is work at home – says Magdalena Box.
There are also mathematician parents at home. – We believed in Madzia's talents from the very beginning – says Anna Box, mother of Magdalena.
There are more reasons for joy. Medals from the European Olympics were also brought by three other friends of Magda from Poland. In the team classification, our team took a very high, second place among European countries.
– We hope that these examples of girls achieving success will show that girls are as good as boys in mathematics and we will not be able to waste many talents – says Dr. Michał Sitek from the Institute of Educational Research -State Research Institute.
The harmful stereotypes are harmful
Girls can be wasted because of harmful stereotypes. – We have research results that clearly determine that girls have exactly the same biological predispositions – indicates Dr. Zuzanna Jastrzębska -Krajewska, an expert on mathematical education of children.
That is why so much depends on the environment at school and at home, which it can support, and the one that can cut wings.
– Girls are generally because of culture and discouraged from learning to learn mathematics, they have less belief in their own skills – says Dr. Michał Sitek.
This is also reflected in the latest TIMSS mathematical and natural skills, which shows that in Poland boys, 10-year-olds, coped with mathematical tasks better than their peers. The average boys' result was 11 points higher than the average result of girls.
– This should be looked at quite thoroughly and pay attention to what message in mathematics lessons goes to students- indicates Wioleta Dobosz-Leszczyńska, the National Coordinator of the TIMSS 2023 study from the Institute of Educational Research-State Research Research.
– Faith that girls can achieve success, that they are not weaker at all, helps a lot – sums up Anna Box.
Source of the main photo: Facts of TVN