SUPERHERO comics and algebra is a weird and rare combination, but St Mary MacKillop College Year 9 maths students have managed to find a way to make the pairing work.
The students have been drawing superhero comic strips with algebra involved and their work is now on display at Swan Hill Regional Library.
The class headed down to the library on Wednesday with teacher Damian Howison to unveil their display.
Library officer Kellie Carlo explained the thinking behind the project: “Even though it doesn’t look like it has anything to do with maths, what the kids have done is made superhero comic books using algebraic thinking,” she said.
“They worked in five groups to create a comic each, and basically the superhero had to use algebra to solve the problem.
“My favourite is the Ninja Turtles comic – it’s a ripper – because it wasn’t just a simple solution. They had to work out how to disperse the people in the carriages to bring them down to reconnect.”
The comics will stay on display for a while before being returned to the students, but the library will keep copies on hand.
Ms Carlo is hoping the display can turn into a tradition.
“We hope to do this as an annual thing,” she said.
“Both we and Damian are keen to do it again because we enjoy supporting the young people in our community, and if this is a way we can do that – that’s great.”
In a busy period for the library, Get Online Week sessions were held to help Swan Hill residents better their digital skills.
Activities included researching family history, password management, Indigenous storytelling and telehealth classes.
Swan Hill Rural City Council libraries manager Camille Cullinan highlighted the importance of these sessions.
“Digital skills are now essential for wellbeing, safety and participating in day-to-day activities such as accessing government and health services, paying bills, online shopping, social interaction, applying for jobs and much more,” she said.
This was only an entree for the library, with this week set to be even bigger.
A celebration of 2022 Children’s Week will be highlighted by Roving Storytime on Wednesday afternoon.
Kids will be guided on a walk along Campbell Street, where nursery rhymes will be sung and stories shared by community members.
The Swan Hill Young Writers Awards presentation will also be held at the library on Wednesday night.
