THE INSTITUTE OF MATHEMATICS
AND ITS APPLICATIONS

Maths in the City - Newcastle upon Tyne, UK

Thursday 29 and Friday 30 June 2006
A maths trail to discover the hidden secrets of Newcastle's city centre.

Approximately 1500 children from over 30 schools took part in Maths in the City over the two days. The trail took place on the busy shopping streets of Newcastle city centre and was therefore also open to the general public. Accompanying the school children were teachers, mums, dads and grandparents - it was a fun day for all.

A number of business' and Mathematical Institutions supported the event, their generous donations together with the willingness of enthusiastic helpers, made it possible to run the event for free. These bodies gave money to pay for the trail documents, publicity in the form of flyers and posters, T-shirts for over 50 helpers and the logistics of setting up stalls.

Why and how do you go about creating such an event?

WHY? I personally believe that maths is everywhere and not just stuck in the classroom. I am passionate about maths and my quest is to go out and reintroduce people to the subject. By doing maths on the streets children can see the connections between the real world and what they are studying in classroom.

HOW? I had an idea to be like a magician performing his magic on the streets, but realised early on that I would need help to construct the various elements of the whole event. I enlisted the help of Professor Robin Johnson from the School of Mathematics and Statistics at the University of Newcastle. Robin and myself walked around Newcastle city centre several times looking for possible activities for the trail. We wanted the children to experience a great variety of mathematical topics as they walked round, but not to always realise that they were doing maths!

In discussions with Newcastle City Centre Management, I liaised with Police and Traffic Wardens to make sure the event was safe.

By answering puzzles hundreds of pounds worth of prizes could be won at three points on the trail. These puzzles were attempted by school children and passing shoppers. BT and Premier Travel Inn generously donated the prizes. A big thank you goes to the organisations involved who were Newcastle College and their students, students from the University of Newcastle, COCO children's charity, SETPOINT North East, The Institute of Mathematics and its Applications, London Mathematical Society, The National Centre for Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics, Tyne and Wear Museums, The Laing Art Gallery, BT, The Elders Council, Storeys:SSP, Newcastle Building Society, NEXUS and The Evening Chronicle newspaper.

I am always interested in talking to any company who would be interested in nurturing mathematics in the young. If you would like to be involved in future events then please email me at DRMaths@hotmail.co.uk

Steve Humble (aka DR Maths)
North East National Centre for Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics.

Maths in the City Press Cuttings

Maths Trail