On Saturday, 15 March 2025, AIMS South Africa played host to an inspiring Maths Day event as part of an international twinning project that connects young learners from South Africa and Germany. The celebration welcomed a group of passionate Grade 4 girls from Molo Mhlaba Schools for a hands-on exploration of the mathematical beauty inherent in art and design.

The activity was designed to spark creativity and critical thinking through interactive sessions where students delved into concepts such as tessellations and aperiodic tilings. Using shapes, colour, and a keen sense of imagination, the girls uncovered the patterns that permeate our everyday environment. The session also provided an opportunity to discuss the striking influence of various artistic traditions, including:

• Dr Esther Mahlangu’s First Public Artwork in the UK: Demonstrating the global reach of African artistry.
• Intricate Patterns in African Fabrics: Highlighting traditional techniques and the storytelling aspect of textile design.
• Bold Aesthetics of MaXhosa Designs: Showcasing the dynamic and vibrant visual language of contemporary African fashion.
• Geometric Beauty of Islamic Art: Revealing the sophisticated symmetry and structure that underpins centuries of artistic heritage.

Participants took their learning beyond the classroom by embarking on a mini scavenger hunt within the AIMS building in search of hidden African art elements. This journey continued with a photographic expedition that led them from intricately tiled floors to the natural patterns of the nearby beach, where they compared shapes, orientations, and natural designs.

Some students experimented with the repetition of patterns through colour variations, while others pushed the boundaries by exploring aperiodic tilings—efforts that collectively celebrated the intersection of mathematics and art.

This Maths Day initiative not only highlighted the educational value of integrating STEM and the arts but also underscored the potential of international collaboration. By linking classrooms in South Africa and Germany, the project fostered a shared appreciation of mathematical concepts that are both universally applicable and culturally significant.

The event stands as a testament to the creativity that emerges when mathematics is celebrated as an art form, inspiring a new generation of young learners to see the world through a dual lens of logic and beauty.