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Maths teacher Eddie Woo appointed to Powerhouse Museum role

World famous maths teacher Eddie Woo will bring his extensive insights into how to engage children with maths as part of his appointment to the board of the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences, steering how the Powerhouse educates the state’s children.

Maths teacher named Australia's local hero

Introducing your child to Monopoly at a young age and teaching them to count when they’re a baby will mean they’re more likely to turn into a maths whiz, according to super teacher Eddie Woo.

The world famous maths teacher will bring his extensive insights into how to engage children with maths as part of his appointment to the board of the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences, steering how the Powerhouse educates the state’s children.

Mr Woo said making maths relevant to everyday life by identifying patterns and relationships around us will be part of the philosophy he will bring to the role at the institution, officially called the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences.

Powerhouse CEO Lisa Havilah, Eddie Woo and Trust President Professor Barney Glover. Picture: Adam Yip
Powerhouse CEO Lisa Havilah, Eddie Woo and Trust President Professor Barney Glover. Picture: Adam Yip

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The Youtube star who has 480,000 subscribers said the most beneficial thing parents could do would be to have a positive attitude towards doing maths and start talking about it from a young age.

“I really think it is never too early to begin,” he said.

“I think the positive attitudes towards numbers and patterns and connections and relationships, which is all maths is about, I think that starts from the age they can say ‘one, two three’, which is pretty young.”

He said children “decide” if they want to be a mathematical person at the age of eight or nine, and their decision depends on the role models around them and their attitude to doing maths, not genetics.

Woo said playing Monopoly and counting from a young age, along with positive attitudes towards mathematics helps children enjoy and excel.
Woo said playing Monopoly and counting from a young age, along with positive attitudes towards mathematics helps children enjoy and excel.

“All indications from our research into neuroscience, there is no physiological basis for that, it is whether we provide the support for that.”

The move to the Powerhouse is another feather in the superstar teacher’s hat, who still teachers HSC Maths at Cherrybrook Technology High school but now spends the majority of his time mentoring maths students across at the NSW leader of innovation for maths teaching

But he said he doesn’t want his own children to be just interested in mathematics and science but explore everything.

“I really want them to cherish learning, to be interested in discovering things, I want them to have their eyes open to the wonderful things around that science can help them discover in the world and I also want them to be keen and creative designers.”

Arts Minister Don Harwin said he chose Mr Woo because of his experience as an educator.

“He has the kind of skills we believe will help shape what is a great museum now into an even greater museum in the future,” he said.

“As an educator, he excels in turning work into play and we’re excited to have him on board.”

“He has the kind of skills we believe will help shape what is a great museum now into an even greater museum in the future.”

The Powerhouse will move to Parramatta in 2023.

Originally published as Maths teacher Eddie Woo appointed to Powerhouse Museum role

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Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/maths-teacher-eddie-woo-appointed-to-powerhouse-museum-role/news-story/990f99a38129575ce35d307cc5cbd6ca