Dartboard Maths: A fun approach to tackling maths at Zwaanswyk Academy

Zwaanswyk Academy, in Retreat, has adopted SA pro darts player Devon Petersen’s Dartboard Maths programme and International Darts Schools League (IDSL) as methods to enhance math at school.

The programme was devised by Mr Petersen, after noticing his son struggling with addition and subtraction.

Along with fellow Capetonian Cameron Carolissen, he competed at the World Cup of Darts in Germany at the weekend.

Grappling with maths can be a headache for pupils, teachers and parents, said Mr Petersen. But, throw in an element of fun and games, and it all seems less intimidating.

“Dartboard Maths offers a unique and effective approach to learning, transforming traditional math lessons into engaging, interactive experiences,” Mr Petersen said during a recent school tour to promote his dartboard math toolkit, which includes lesson plans, activity packs, video tutorials, and assessment tools.

“By integrating strategy, fun, and practical learning, Dartboard Maths enhances students' mathematical skills and fosters a love for learning that extends beyond the classroom,” he said.

The curriculum now integrates Dartboard Maths and, based on the buzz among budding players that turned up at last Friday’s official launch of the school’s darts academy, held in the newly-equipped darts room, it may well be a new favourite subject at Zwaanswyk.

“So it involves children, it involves a board game, it involves counting, knowing how to do multiplication, how to do division, addition and subtraction,” principal Anthony Adams said. “Most of all, it involves children enjoying mathematics and numbers."

“So if you’ve ever played darts, you’d know it’s all about counting, and we want to bring that secret into the classroom,” he said.

Ruth Sasman, the school’s receptionist and an avid darts fan, was first to put up her hand when asked to assist with coaching. "I’m actually quite excited about the new programme because it incorporates maths and fun,” she said. “My role is to assist with coaching, assisting them with how to stand, their grip, everything about darts.

“Hopefully, we’ll get as many teachers, especially maths teachers, to come on board and enjoy it with us,” she said.

Fellow coach, Wesley Moolman, a Grade 7 teacher, has also been roped in to assist the Academy’s darts team.  

“We are over the moon with how many kids rocked up here today, there was excitement, there was a beautiful energy within the room and maths was the big winner of the day,” he said. 

“We’re using this sport as the catalyst to improve our school’s mathematics. As a maths teacher, I'm really excited about what this could mean for our school,” he said.

Mr Petersen’s father George Petersen, who managed the dartboard installations at the school, popped in to offer a helping hand and some tips.

“We know some children are struggling with even the simplest calculations and having Dartboard Maths on board might just help to solve the maths problem in South Africa, " he said.