On 11 March 2026, students at GIIS SMART Campus participated in an engaging mathematics workshop led by Mike Eden, Associate Professor (Teaching Stream) in the Faculty of Mathematics and Director of the Mathematics/Teaching Program at the University of Waterloo. With more than 25 years of teaching experience and extensive involvement in international mathematics workshops, Professor Eden introduced students to a series of thought-provoking problems designed to spark deeper mathematical thinking.

During the session, students explored real-world scenarios and were encouraged to initially rely on intuition to approach the problems. Through guided discussion and step-by-step reasoning, Professor Eden demonstrated how intuitive answers can sometimes be misleading, particularly when the scale of measurement is not carefully considered. By applying precise calculations, students discovered how mathematical reasoning often reveals outcomes that differ significantly from initial assumptions.

The workshop also encouraged students to look beyond conventional methods commonly emphasised in the classroom. Through interactive questioning and collaborative discussion, they examined alternative strategies and perspectives for solving complex mathematical challenges.

A key focus of the session was learning how to question assumptions, analyse why systems behave in certain ways, and simplify complex problems to better understand their underlying patterns. The workshop provided students with valuable insights into mathematical reasoning while encouraging them to approach problem-solving with greater curiosity, logic, and creativity.