Maths Outside the Classroom
The Maths on the Quayside
event was held on Thursday 7th and
The
trail formed a circular walk from the Guildhall Tourist Information Centre,
where students took part in maths science events with the
This
event was organised by Steve Humble (aka Dr Maths) and Professor Robin Johnson
from The University of Newcastle upon Tyne, to raise awareness that maths is
all around us, even if we are not always aware of it.
Here
is one of the challenges the children had to face on their way around the
trail, close to the
The
River God is blowing a kiss to the Siren statue in Sandgate. It is said that
Sirens lured sailors to their death with the beauty of their singing. There are
many twisting trails between the two statues. How many ways can you find to walk
from either start point to the Siren? You may move forwards or sideways but
never backwards.
Can you find the number of
routes?
The
walk encouraged children to observe, find and analyse maths in a real world
setting. The DfES Manifesto entitled ‘Learning Outside
the Classroom’ encourages teachers to work with their students in environments
other than the formal setting of a classroom. This publication says that:
These are often the
most memorable learning experiences, helping us to make sense of the world
around us.
and
There is strong evidence
that good quality learning outside the classroom adds much value to classroom
learning.
Maths
walks allow more functionality and real world maths to fit naturally into the
curriculum. I believe that maths teaching should not be limited by the four
walls of the classroom, and by showing students maths is everywhere in our
environment we will encourage them to look at the world in a mathematical way.
The
following comments from teachers participating on the trail only serve to
confirm the importance of teaching beyond the confines of the classroom and
illustrate how effective cross-curricula activities can be:
“We completed the Maths Trail today and
had great fun. It was really well organised and questions were an appropriate
level for the children. It was good that there were other activities going on
alongside the trail”
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“The Maths Trail was great - all our
children thoroughly enjoyed the
morning - there was a good mix of questions - some more challenging than
others. We all saw things that we had never noticed before/the additional
activities organised were a bonus. We'll
do it again!”
“A great success as far as we were
concerned, really well organised, good quality materials for the children to
use, plenty of people around to talk to and question when needed and a lovely
atmosphere.
The trail itself was great and led to a lot of discussion about the area.”
“Just to let you know that my class of 21 mixed year 4/5 pupils thoroughly
enjoyed the maths trail, as did myself and my
colleagues. It was an innovative experience which brought maths and the local
area to life. The children all had lots of fun, and were learning at the same
time. Can't wait for the next event!”
“It was fantastic and most of the
children said they did not realise that maths could be such fun! This was very
pleasing to hear.”
I
would like to extend thanks and appreciation to those organisations who have
given support and funding to the ‘Maths on the Quayside’ event. They include
The Institute of Mathematics and its Applications (IMA), The London
Mathematical Society (LMS), Aimhigher North East, The Sage Gateshead, Tyne and
Wear Museums, Newcastle Community Heritage Project, STEMNET, Business in the
Community, Newcastle and Gateshead City Councils and Northumbria Police without
whom this the event would not have been possible.
Steve
Humble, FIMA
Maths on the Quayside Worksheet