As a champion of maths and science education, Engen Petroleum, has designed this year’s funkiest classroom accessories – a ruler and pencil case with quick-reference scientific formulae to make class- and homework assignments as easy as Pi.

Lesley McDonough, Group Brand Manager at Engen, says, “The company designed the rulers for Grades 10, 11 and 12 learners, obtaining input and endorsement from the DoE.”

“Featuring a funky design on one side and a range of scientific formulae and table of constants on the other, the ruler and pencil case represent a ‘crib sheet’, removing the need for lookups during class- and homework – but play it straight enough to have garnered Department of Education approval.”

Emblazoned in loud white capitals on the tools are the words “NOT FOR USE DURING EXAMS”.

Leveraging staff

Adds McDonough, “As part of our firm commitment to the youth of our great continent, we included staff, dealers and selected suppliers at our South African and African operations and invited them to place an order, either for their children, extended family, community school or any other school they are involved with.The orders will be delivered to staff to allow them to further strengthen relationships in their communities.”

She says the initiative is in line with Engen’s community outreach programmes in areas where the company is active, and follows in the wake of the unprecedented success of its branded periodic table of elements, produced for learners in 2012.

In the case of EMSS

In addition to the rulers, a limited run of 5 000 pencil cases have been ordered. They are intended for the exclusive use of Engen’s high-achieving Engen Maths and Science Schools programme.

EMSS schools, which offer extra tuition in maths, science and English for senior school students, routinely outperform the national average in matric exam passes and university passes. The class of 2013 achieved a 95% national pass rate – beating the national average of 78% by a significant margin.