Maths Week Scotland returns for its sixth and biggest-ever annual event from 26 September to 2 October 2022. This week, pupils, community groups and families in Edinburgh and the Lothians will be enjoying an exciting range of maths-themed activities and events across local schools, science centres and museums.
Part of the Scottish Government’s drive to encourage positive attitudes to numeracy and maths, Maths Weeks Scotland is developed and delivered by National Museums Scotland. This year, the Small Grants Fund – a partnership between the Edinburgh Mathematical Society, the Glasgow Mathematical Journal Trust and the Scottish Government – has supported 67 different classroom activities for schools across the country to encourage pupils to think about maths in a creative way.
The theme for 2022 is the beauty of maths, focusing on the creative and inspiring side of the subject, and how maths plays a vital role in art, music and design. School pupils across Edinburgh and the Lothians will be encouraged to think about maths in a creative way through activities such as art and sculpture exhibitions, budgeting projects, and outdoor learning.
Science centres and museums across Scotland have also received support from Maths Week Scotland for large-scale family activities and workshops as well as programming for schools and community groups that encourage innovation and participation while linking maths with the arts.
Alongside in-person events, Maths Week Scotland has created a fun online programme to inspire and intrigue people of all ages, from schools and educators to families and adults. The virtual programme includes using coding to create art, ideas for hands-on classroom activities, and a mathematical art workshop by mathematician Lucy Rycroft-Smith with a free kit posted to participants.
The National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh is organising an exciting programme of maths-themed family events, including free art exhibition (2 October) and a schools programme of renewable energy workshops.
Lauriston Castle in Edinburgh is launching the ‘Maths Attack’ trail around the estate to teach pupils about how to use and make their own set of Napier’s Bones – a calculation device for multiplying large numbers.
Edinburgh’s National Galleries of Scotland is showcasing Scotland’s art through a mathematical lens with an online resource for schools and gallery visits to Modern One.
The University of Edinburgh is organising an exciting programme of events, with a display of geometric illuminations and optical illusions at James Clerk Maxwell Building (1 October) as well as virtual (27-28 September) and hands-on (1 October) maths activities for families. The university is also providing workshops for teachers and educators to inspire ideas for practical maths activities in the classroom.
Museum on the Mound is hosting online and in-person ‘Money Maths’ workshops to explore different money around the world.
On 29 September, Surgeons’ Hall Museum is arranging school workshops on using investigating bones and surgical equipment as well as a drop-in session for the general public on 1 October.
Stockbridge Library and Moredun Library are hosting Bookbug sessions and art activities for individuals and families.
Katie Oldfield, Maths Week Scotland co-ordinator, said: “We are thrilled to be launching Maths Week Scotland for its sixth consecutive year with such a bang.
“Mathematicians often refer to the subject as ‘beautiful’, and our aim is to inspire families, schools and community groups in Edinburgh and the Lothians to view maths in a new way and to find it in unexpected places, such as art and music.
“We are so excited to be bringing back more interactive, in-person events at schools and public venues across the country. It’s brilliant to see that so many schools have devised fun and engaging activities for pupils to discover how creative maths can be.”
The schools programme is core to Maths Week Scotland. Schools and community projects receiving grants in Edinburgh and the Lothians are:
Edinburgh:
· Ferryhill Primary School – Skatepark Maths: Pupils P1-7 will create their own skateparks for finger skateboards
· Edinburgh Council Libraries: Three primary schools exploring outdoor space at Newington Library
· Bruntsfield Primary School: Creation of an exciting outdoor learning space
· Gilmerton Primary School – Financial and Budgeting: Pupils will be given a budget and go shopping for ingredients to create a nutritious meal
· Number Berries Maths Play Club: Mini Exhibition of art and sculptures inspired by manmade structures and nature
· Corstorphine Primary School: Beauty of Maths exhibition
Lothians:
· Cedarbank School: Exhibition of numeracy themed artwork created by pupils and their families
· Polkemmet Primary School: Beauty of Maths art exhibition for families
· Pinewood School – Maths Week Scotland Sale: Materials will be purchased to craft items to sell at a Maths Week Scotland sale to practice recognising coins and budgeting
Maths Week Scotland is supported by winner of The Great British Bake Off 2020, Peter Sawkins.
Maths Week Scotland has a supporting year-round programme for schools, families, adults, and community groups. This is part of an ongoing drive to transform Scotland into a maths-positive nation through raising the profile of maths and encouraging enthusiasm for maths across the country.
National Museums Scotland is working with a wide range of organisations and collaborators to support and deliver Maths Week Scotland activity across Scotland.
For a full list of contributors and to view the whole programme, visit:
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