IMA School Speaker Scheme
‘What’s the point of maths?’
‘When will I ever need it?’
‘What do you use maths for after leaving school?’
Do you hear these statements from your students on a regular basis? Would you like help to change these perceptions?
The Institute has established the School Speaker Scheme, now organised through its branches, to promote the applications of mathematics. They can arrange for a member of the Institute, from academia or industry, to visit your school and talk to your students about their work and how mathematics plays an important role.
Members who have volunteered to be a School Speaker work in the following areas:
| Academia | Industry |
| Climate Control | Telecommunications |
| Teaching | Finance |
| Marketing and Strategy | Statistics |
| Coastal Dynamics | Defence |
| Computer Science | Pharmaceutical |
| Mathematical Modelling | Automotive Industry |
Please note – The list above is an example of the various sectors School Speakers work in. The Institute cannot guarantee a speaker from the list above as this will depend on the availability of speakers and the area of the UK where your school is located.
The School Speaker Scheme is open to schools and members of the Institute in the UK and is free (non-members of the Institute are limited to one successful search* per year). The School is requested to clarify with the Speaker whether or not their expenses will be met.
* A search for a school speaker is deemed successful when the Institute puts you in contact with a volunteer.
Our Branches take requests for speakers in their area and can be contacted at:-
North West - Margaret Eastwood m.eastwood@mmu.ac.uk
West of England - Garrod Musto gjm@kingswood.bath.sch.uk
It will be helpful if you can supply the following information; a list of dates, age of the students, approximate number of pupils, the length of the talk and if the Speaker is required for an event (e.g. mathematics fair) or to give a talk.
This service is also open to other events.
If you are a member of the Institute and would like to volunteer your services to the School Speaker Scheme, please contact your branch secretary.
The IMA has links to Mathematics Talks for Schools that are available in the Classroom Resources section.
Frequently Asked Questions
For Schools
When do you class the year for the School Speaker Scheme running from and to?
1 January to 31 December.
Are the School Speakers paid to go into schools?
No. They are volunteers.
Can I specify the subject that I would like a School Speaker to talk about?
By specifying the subject you will be reducing the possibility of the search being successful. We do not have volunteers to talk about every possible topic in each county of the UK.
Why are searches limited to the county that my school is in?
Searches are normally limited to the county that your school is located to keep travel expenses low and the School Speaker’s travelling time to a minimum. After all, they have agreed to give up their time to talk to your students for free!
It says on your website that the service is open to other events. What other events do School Speakers attend?
We have supplied speakers to events such as school career events and balloon debates.
Will the School Speakers need props/objects/bring presentations etc?
You will need to confirm this with the School Speaker themselves.
How qualified are your speakers?
Our speakers are corporate members of the Institute. To see the entrance requirements for Fellow or Member grade, please see Membership Grades.
For School Speakers
I would like to volunteer/have volunteered to be a School Speaker; do I have to agree to every request for a speaker?
No. We appreciate that you are volunteering and you have other demands on your time. If you are available on the dates the school has requested a speaker and willing to undertake the request, then great!
