Mathematics

 Mathematics courses at BLIS are meticulously designed to cultivate not only academic excellence but also to instill essential life skills in our students. By immersing learners in the enriching environment of mathematical exploration, we nurture the powers of reasoning, creativity, abstract and spatial thinking, critical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication skills. This holistic approach is achieved through the comprehensive international curricula of IGCSE and IB, which lay the foundation for academic and personal success.

Our overarching aim is to equip students with the ability to wield reasoning and logic as tools for comprehension and analysis. By guiding them to think mathematically, we empower them to scrutinize, synthesize, and hypothesize, thereby harnessing the boundless potential of mathematics as both a language and a methodology. The outcome is a generation of individuals who can seamlessly integrate mathematics into their daily lives, fostering a deep and meaningful connection to the subject. This connection serves as a cornerstone for their future pursuits in diverse fields such as science, engineering, and economics.

Our active involvement in international math competitions is a cornerstone of our school’s commitment to nurturing math excellence. These competitions challenge our students with demanding problems, developing their problem-solving skills and fostering critical thinking. By taking part in these contests, we inspire determination, encourage teamwork, and build our students’ confidence as they achieve success on the global stage. This experience not only broadens their horizons but also sparks their interest in math and related careers. On this journey, we’re not just creating skilled mathematicians but also preparing future leaders in various fields, equipping them with the skills they need for success in many aspects of life.

Join us on this enriching journey through the world of mathematics, where the power of numbers transcends the confines of textbooks and resonates in the fabric of daily existence. At Bilkent Laboratory and International School, we are committed to nurturing well-rounded, mathematically literate individuals who are prepared for the challenges of both academia and life.

Grade 9 & 10 Mathematics

Grade 9 and 10 students at BLIS take the Cambridge International Mathematics course (code 0607 Extended)

The Mathematics program in Grades 9 and 10 builds on what students learned in Middle School and also introduces them to new topics such as vectors, functions, and problem-solving with and without the use of technology.  Within this course students will be able to use a graphing calculator to sketch graphs, to produce tables and to analyze statistical data.

It is a two-year program that has as additional goals:

• to ensure students have the mathematical foundation to excel in IB courses in Grade 11 and 12
•  to prepare students to achieve the best grades possible in IGCSE examinations in Grade 10.

At the end of grade 10 students take three externally-assessed exams;namely paper 2 (without calculators), paper 4 (with calculators) and paper 6 (modeling and investigations). Students receive a final grade from A* to E from the results of these three exams. Based on the results of the exam and successful completion of the program, students are placed into appropriate IB mathematics courses in Grade 11.

 Grade 11 & 12  Mathematics

The Grade 11 and 12 mathematics course at BLIS has the dual focus of:

• ensuring students have the mathematical foundation to achieve the best grades possible in IB examinations at the end of Grade 12
• addressing the aims of the mathematics department as stated above.

Grade 11 and 12 students at BLIS are offered IB Mathematics Analysis and Approaches Standard Level (SL), Analysis and Approaches Higher Level(HL),Applications and Interpretations Higher Level (HL).

The IB Analysis and Approaches course encourages the use of technology;as fluency in relevant mathematical software and hand-held technology is important regardless of choice of course. However, Mathematics: analysis and approaches has a strong emphasis on the ability to construct, communicate and justify correct mathematical arguments. The IB Applications and interpretations course encourages extensive use of technology to allow students to explore and construct mathematical models. Mathematics: applications and interpretation aims to develop mathematical thinking, often in the context of a real-world problem and using technology to justify conjectures. Students who choose Mathematics Applications and Interpretation at HL are those with strong algebraic and interpretive skills.

The assessment of HL level is composed of three papers as external assessment and an IB exploration as internal assessment.  The assessment of SL level is composed of two papers as external assessment and an IB exploration as internal assessment.