Canadian Oil Sands Limited (COS) has launched a community investment initiative called Math Minds.  The overall objectives of Math Minds are to strengthen numeracy among students in kindergarten to grade six, and to help establish Calgary as a centre of excellence in math education. By creating a teachers’ network focused on math and sharing the most recent research on elementary math instruction and student learning, Math Minds strives to deepen teachers’ own understanding of math and math instruction.  For students, numeracy is essential for future success in careers such as science and engineering.  These disciplines drive innovation and technology development, which are critical to the Canadian economy. 

The Math Minds partners are working collaboratively to drive real and lasting change in elementary numeracy by applying leading-edge educational principles that were developed based on extensive research over the last 20 years.  We believe that any student can enjoy and excel at math, including those who have encountered challenges in the past; you don’t need to be born “good at math”.  Our vision is that the confidence gained through students’ success in math will empower them to make a positive difference for themselves and the world. 

For the 2012/2013 academic year, the Calgary Catholic School District’s St. Rita School is the first to implement the Math Minds initiative.

Math Minds resources will also be available more broadly through free after-school programming by the Calgary Public Library and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Calgary, taught by trained volunteers in a group setting.