Tag: Maths Week Scotland

Maths Week Scotland: Maths in Motion

This week will see maths-related activities taking place across the country in the annual Maths Week Scotland programme. The theme of this year’s programme, which is coordinated by National Museums Scotland and funded by the Scottish Government, is Maths in Motion.

Maths Week Scotland: 25 September to 1 October 2023

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Maths Week Scotland combines in-person events from Orkney to the Scottish Borders – in a mix of schools programming and public activities in museums, libraries and galleries – with a range of online events, resources and workshops.

The Maths in Motion theme has a huge variety of applications, as the programme shows, with diverse topics ranging from the maths of money to ceilidh dancing, and from nautical navigation to maths in football.

The Scottish Mathematical Council have created a series of football-themed films for of football-themed films for Maths Week Scotland, in conjunction with the Scottish Football Association and featuring the Hearts Women’s team, the Scottish Football Museum and Rugby Park, the home of Kilmarnock Football Club.

The films cover topics as diverse as predicting the outcome of penalty kicks, travel logistics, how to calculate how many people can get through the turnstiles in time for kick-off and the mathematics of the curve on a free kick.

The National Museum of Scotland will host a pop-up exhibition from the Open University entitled Maths in Motion: Pendulums and Patterns, maths-themed Magic Carpet sessions for pre-schoolers, object handling in the Grand Gallery and a maths-themed trail inspired by Dolly the Sheep.

Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth said: “The Scottish Government is proud to support Maths Week Scotland’s delivery of yet another amazing range of activities to promote the important merits of maths in everyday life.

“We are determined to do everything we can to inspire the next generation of people to engage with maths and the events and workshops on offer will play an important role in doing exactly that.”

Maths Week Scotland coordinator Ailsa Brien said: “We’re delighted to launch Maths Week Scotland in its seventh consecutive year.

“Maths in Motion is a theme which invites a wide range of interpretations and so we’re thrilled to see such a creative and diverse programme of activities and events, which I’m sure will inspire and engage a wide range of audiences.”

Maths Week Scotland is supporting a host of classroom activities for schools across the country, encouraging innovation and participation.

Activity packs are available to download from the Maths Week Scotland website, with ideas of how to celebrate and enjoy the week for everyone from early years to secondary school pupils.

Meanwhile, the daily Maths Week Scotland challenges will return, with accompanying BBC Bitesize learning videos setting out how to tackle them.

Support has also been provided to Scottish museums and galleries to integrate more maths into their programming during the week-long event.

Maths Week Scotland and National Museums Scotland will support maths activities taking place in: The Museum on the Mound, Auchindrain Township Museum, The Scottish Maritime Museum, The Burrell Collection, Sumerlee Museum of Scottish Industrial Life, Surgeons’ Hall Museum, The Scottish Fisheries Museum, National Galleries of Scotland and The Great Tapestry of Scotland.

Over 20 libraries are also taking part in Maths Week Scotland, with activities including Maths-themed Bookbug sessions, crafts and LEGO.

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:

www.mathsweek.scot

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Free access to Supermaths Abacus classes for Maths Week Scotland

To mark the event, the British Youth International College (BYITC) is offering free access to its online abacus tool and games-based lessons

This week, the British Youth International College (BYITC) is offering a free introduction to Abacus Maths.

The Glasgow-based education platform is celebrating the opportunity to raise the profile of Abacus training during the annual Maths Week Scotland, which aims to encourage positive Maths learning with a dedicated programme of events for families and schools.

From 26th September – 2nd October, kids can discover a fun and practical way to improve their maths ability with a free live BYITC Supermaths Abacus Maths class and free two-week access to game-based Abacus lessons to test their skills.

Founder of the BYITC Dr Rashmi Mantri is looking forward to sharing the benefits of this effective arithmetic technique. She said: “Abacus Maths may seem to be more complex, but it actually speeds up the capacity of children to perform heavy calculations.

“We believe this method is the absolute best way to learn Maths, based on scientific research that validates the methodology. Kids who learn Maths using the Abacus method performed better in many areas of life.”

Using the Abacus method, children are taught how to calculate arithmetic sums by visualising an Abacus tool and use their fingers to manipulate imaginary beads. This not only allows them to do rapid mental calculations, but also stimulates cognitive development, improves memory and problem-solving skills, and builds confidence in the classroom and beyond.

Dr Rashmi was inspired to share the learning benefits of Abacus Maths after noticing gaps in her son’s mathematical ability. When then nine-year-old Dhruv was struggling with simple arithmetic, Dr Mantri turned to a humble device she had used in her own childhood to help him.

She said: “It struck me that his inability to compute a simple sum reflected the actual situation of maths skills in a great many children. I decided to change the way he looked at numbers.

“After learning maths using the Abacus method, Dhruv could do mathematical calculations even faster than a calculator.”

Dhruv’s Abacus Maths learning has been so successful that he has even made television appearances to demonstrate his arithmetic skills, and is still involved in creating content and resources for the BYTIC. In fact, the 16-year-old helped develop the games-based Abacus classes that are on offer during Maths Week Scotland.

Originally founded as a local after-school programme in 2015, the BYITC has grown to welcome thousands of students from across the world through online classes, and is now the largest Abacus Maths classes provider in UK.

Since enrolling their son Neev (P6) in a BYITC Abacus Maths course, Ojas and Ashmi Lukhi have noticed a vast improvement in his mathematic ability. They said: “Abacus has helped Neev build his power of visualisation and boost his concentration levels.

“He is able to do calculations much faster and with confidence, and he can apply it to his day-to-day activities.”

Meanwhile, Ananyaa has been taking part in Abacus lessons for just six months. Her parents said: “The impact of it is beyond just her performance in Maths. It has given her a very holistic approach to other things as well.

“It has made her more focused, disciplined and time conscious. She has developed an interest in her work – and has won accolades for her effort.”

The Glasgow-based education platform has also developed the world’s first Abacus Maths e-learning application. Suitable for both desktop and mobile use, the app features a virtual Abacus tool as well as videos, practice questions, classwork and homework so pupils and parents can track their progress.

The success of the Abacus Maths courses speaks not only to the positive benefits of this unique learning method, but also to the BYITC team’s passion for youth education.

Dr Mantri said: “There is nothing better than providing education to someone. We are on a mission to develop new age skills in children and make them more fulfilled human beings.

“We want to make British Youth International College the most trusted brand in the education sector. A brand parents recognise, know they can trust, and give their children a future in our hands.”

Maths Week Scotland returns for sixth year

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:

www.mathsweek.scot

Our World: Maths Week Scotland

Maths Week Scotland 27 September – 3 October 2021

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Maths Week Scotland is back for its fifth year from 27 September to 3 October 2021. Local schools across Edinburgh, Lothians and Scottish Borders are joining in the fun with a wide range of activities and exciting programmes taking place during the week.

Maths Week Scotland is part of the Scottish Government’s drive to encourage positive attitudes to numeracy and maths and is developed and delivered by National Museums Scotland. The Small Grants Fund, a partnership between the Edinburgh Mathematical Society, the Glasgow Mathematical Journal Trust and the Scottish Government, has supported 75 activities across the country. These activities are taking place in schools and local community groups.

The theme for 2021 is ‘Our World’, exploring the importance of maths in understanding and responding to the climate emergency, whilst also finding maths in the world around us. School pupils across Edinburgh, Lothians and Scottish Borders will learn about this crucial topic through activities such as outdoor learning, a Maths Enrichment club and a mini beast project.

Science centres and museums across Scotland have also received additional funding from Maths Week Scotland to support in a series of activities and challenges encouraging innovation and participation.

Edinburgh’s five star visitor attraction, Dynamic Earth, will be launching a digital workshop on the topic of ‘Navigating Our World’, to explore how successful navigation was achieved in the past, and how it is now done in the present day.

Edinburgh Central library is hosting a free, drop-in shape and number trail for under 10s, plus additional maths and STEM books will be available to take out on loan.

The National Mining Museum Scotland in Newtongrange will also be host to a number of maths-themed activities for young visitors, including a mining version of snakes and ladders, quoits, bean bag toss, making patterns with coal, dressing up as a miner and handling mining objects.

Meanwhile, in East Lothian, Prestongrange Museum, John Muir’s Birthplace Museum, Dunbar Town House Museum and Gallery and John Gray Centre will all be launching maths-related trails and activities linked to each specific site.

Dunbar Town House Museum and Gallery will launch a time-related activity based on the clock and two sundials on the exterior of the building, while events at the John Gray Centre will focus on money and transactions, reflecting the commercial history or East Lothian and linking to trade tokens on display.

Katie Oldfield, Maths Week Scotland co-ordinator, said: “We’re proud to be bringing Maths Week Scotland back for its fifth consecutive year. It’s great to see that so many schools have come up with exciting activities that reflect our theme for this year.

“Maths is found everywhere in the world around us, but it is also a key part of the solution when it comes to tackling climate change. It was really inspiring to see many of our schools presenting this sometimes complex subject in a fun and engaging way.”

The schools programme is core to Maths Week Scotland. Schools and community projects receiving grants in Edinburgh, Lothians and Borders are:

·         Stenhouse Primary School: Taking Maths Outdoors – Numeracy and outdoor learning equipment

·         Balerno High School: Maths Enrichment Club – setting up a Maths Enrichment club at lunchtimes to support enjoyment and develop problem solving and team work skills in Maths.

·         Oxgangs Maths Club: Families can do maths together

·         Edinburgh Central Library: Maths Week at the Library – Central Library and the Children’s Library are hosting a variety of fun Maths-themed events for adults and children, from pattern-making to Möbius strips!

West Lothian

·         Greenrigg Primary School: Mini-beast Maths

Midlothian

·         Stobhill Primary school: Let’s get Creative at Stobhill!- interactive maths kits

Borders

·         Berwickshire High School: Mathematics and citizenship of the world

This year, Maths Week Scotland is also supported by winner of The Great British Bake Off 2020, Peter Sawkins, in collaboration with National Numeracy.

Peter is hosting a virtual assembly on 29 September, which will be streamed from the National Museum of Scotland to participating schools to learn about the maths involved in baking.

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: 

www.mathsweek.scot

National competition launches to improve maths skills during Maths Week Scotland

Prizes to be awarded to winners in each category

To celebrate Maths Week Scotland, 28th September to the 4th October , students across Scotland will be competing in the M-Fluencer Maths Week Quest learning challenge to boost engagement in maths, improve attainment and win prizes for their school.

Now open for entries for schools with students from any year group, ranging from Reception to S6. Participants will be tasked with completing a series of online maths challenges, with each challenge adding to the school’s total score. Amazon vouchers and digital certificates will be awarded to the top 10 schools. 

All learning activities included in the competition are aligned to Scotland’s Curriculum for Excellence and support the Government’s commitment to ‘making maths count’; an initiative that is becoming increasingly important to increase Scotland’s maths attainment.

The competition, run by maths mastery resource provider Mangahigh, is open to all schools across Scotland, both existing users and non-users. From 28th September all schools registered for the competition can access Mangahigh math’s resource free of charge. 

Mohit Midha, CEO and co-founder of Mangahigh, said, “Each student from early years to upper secondary school age can take part free of charge. The maths activities on Mangahigh are designed in a fun ‘game’ format to really engage the students and encourage them to return for more while developing their conceptual knowledge of key maths topics.”

For full prize details and to register for entry free of charge, teachers and schools should visit:https://www.mangahigh.com/en-gb/competitions/maths-week-scotland

Maths to the masses!

Creative projects and activities planned for biggest ever ‘Maths Week Scotland’.

More than 100 different activities – from weather forecasting to codebreaking – are part of the biggest Maths Week Scotland ever which kicks off today.

Supported by a £70,000 small grants fund, the events are designed to spark the interests of young and old across schools, science centres, adult education centres and nurseries.

The week-long festival of all-things-numbers will be launched by Education Secretary John Swinney at a ‘Mathletics’ event held at the home of Scottish Rugby BT Murrayfield Stadium. Teams from more than 30 secondary schools across the Lothians will scrum down in a series of maths-themed challenges at the final of ‘Enterprising Maths’.

Mr Swinney will be tweeting maths challenges – produced with the help of the Scottish Mathematical Council – during the week, with the best solutions then being illustrated in videos featuring maths teacher Chris Smith and his pupils from Grange Academy in Kilmarnock.

National Museums Scotland is running events at its sites throughout the week.

Former BBC weather forecaster, meteorologist and maths advocate Heather Reid is also adding her celebrity experience to proceedings, helping pupils at Sprouston Primary School in Kelso to interpret and bring to life data collected by their own weather station throughout the week.

John Swinney said: “We started Maths Week Scotland in 2017 to give everyone the chance to engage with maths in a creative and engaging way.

“The enthusiasm, commitment and passion of teachers, learners and maths champions has helped Maths Week Scotland grow every year since. It is fantastic to see events for people of all ages and all backgrounds to come together and appreciate the maths all around us.”

Heather Reid, affectionately dubbed ‘Heather the Weather’ for her breezy forecasts on BBC Scotland, said: “This year’s action-packed Maths Week Scotland explores the importance, usefulness and beauty of maths at events in schools and learning environments across the country. Good maths skills open up a wide range of excellent job opportunities, and help us to lead more successful lives.

“Maths lies at the heart of modern-day weather forecasts and climate change science. I can’t wait to visit Kelso and discuss the maths of weather with some young forecasters.”

Katie Oldfield, Maths Week Scotland Coordinator at National Museums Scotland, said: “We all use maths in our everyday lives whether we realise it or not. Activities taking place throughout Maths Week give children and adults the chance to experience the fun and creative side of maths and improve their maths skills.

“From codebreaking and enigma machines, discovering the maths behind the creation of Edinburgh Castle or exploring the universe through maths – there really is something for everyone.”

Information on activities taking place throughout Maths Week Scotland can be found at www.mathsweek.scot. 

 

Making maths fun: John Swinney launches Christmas Maths Challenge

Primary pupils across Scotland received a series of festive-themed maths puzzles to take home for the school holiday as part of a drive to encourage more positive attitudes towards numeracy and maths. The five puzzles are aimed at Primary Six pupils and their families to complete over the holidays as a fun way of exploring maths outside the classroom.   Continue reading Making maths fun: John Swinney launches Christmas Maths Challenge