IMA:Mathematics Today

In 2007, the Institute launched the Education Grants scheme. Recipients of a grant are asked to write an article for Mathematics Today about the activity funded.

The following article, by Steve Humble (NE Regional Co-ordinator – NCETM and Chair of the S&FE Committee), reports on the third Maths in the Malls event which took place earlier this year.

Maths in the Malls

The New Year saw the third Maths in the Malls event which took place in the MetroCentre, Gateshead. More than 700 students from 19 schools took part in a mathematical walk, devised by Steve Humble and Professor Robin Johnson around one of Europe’s largest shopping centres.

The students followed a series of mathematical challenges which took them through the shopping centre. They counted materials found in shopping centres, identified and named mathematical shapes and solved real life maths problems.

Here are a handful of comments from teachers and helpers on the trail.

“Just wanted to let you know that we had a great time at Maths in the Malls”
Janet, teacher from Newker Primary School

“Our school really enjoyed the trail and we felt it was a really interesting way to do maths teaching. So good, that we will be encouraging other teachers to take their classes”
Jenny, teacher at Riverside Primary School

“The children were enthusiastic and were all able to contribute to the activities. Loved the hands on aspect”
Gillian, teacher at Kenton Bar Primary School

“The children were completely absorbed and it was so interesting to see them using their maths skills in the real world”
Hilary, PGCE Student, Durham University.

Some comments from parents accompanying Broadway Junior School regarding their favourite part of the day.

“When the children were really thinking and being enthusiastic about the task”, “watching the excitement on the kids faces”, “being with Jack and having fun whilst also learning”, “seeing children smile while learning maths”, “I would prefer to use the outside environment to stimulate maths rather than always sitting in the classroom”.
Vicky, teacher at Broadway Junior School

Using a unit of measurement that we named the ‘Metrounit’, which is used in repeating patterns throughout the MetroCentre on balustrades, the trail blazers were asked to estimate lengths and widths to ascertain areas, amongst many other mathematical topics. These included number work, collecting data, finding symmetries, identifying shapes and problem solving. Maths was all around them, and yet many were unaware that they were actually doing mathematics.

Teaching mathematical concepts in this way engages and reinforces learning. It puts the ideas learnt into a setting and allows time for those ideas to be developed, without any of the maths hang-ups which can occur in the classroom. By taking maths beyond the classroom, we can best illustrate the connections between the real world and what is being taught in school.

The maths trail will remain in the MetroCentre for everyone to take part and copies of the trail are available at the Green Mall Information desk.

A big thank you goes to the Shipley Art Gallery and Maths Magician Martin Duffy, for their maths workshops along the trail route. Thanks also goes to the IMA and LMS, for their support and grants kindly donated, and to The Evening Chronicle Newspaper for bringing maths to its 55,000 readership. Without them none of this work in raising the profile of mathematics would be possible.

To contact Steve Humble email him at DrMaths@hotmail.co.uk