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Online Access to MEI's Further Mathematics Resources

Mathematics in Education and Industry (http://mei.org.uk) working with WIMCS is now offering free single-user teacher access to MEI's extensive online Further Mathematics resources.  The resources cover all four English Further Mathematics specifications (AQA, Edexcel, MEI and OCR).  They include all of the AS/A level Further Pure modules and almost all of the AS/A level applied mathematics modules.  They also include materials to support the principal learning mathematics unit within the Level 3 Engineering Diploma.  The Further Mathematics resources do not currently support the WJEC specification directly; however, material covering all the WJEC topics can be found within the resources for the English specifications.

To access the online resources for Further Mathematics, follow the link http://www.furthermaths.org.uk/wales.php and click on the word 'register' in the second paragraph.  This opens up a registration form which you will need to complete.  It takes around 2 weeks for the process to be completed.  Please note that this will not give you access to the Further Maths Support Programme in England.

Easter GCSE and GCE AS Mathematics Revision Conference Days at the University of Glamorgan

This coming year’s outreach events are listed below. All of the events are now open. All applications are dealt with on a first come first served basis. Students – please note that you will need to ask your teacher to complete the reply slips. For any additional enquiries, please e-mail Dr Mark Jones (msjones@glam.ac.uk), the outreach events coordinator.  For more details please visit the link http://fat.glam.ac.uk/subjects/maths/events/.
 
Easter Mathematics AS-Level Revision Conference Day – Wed 14th Apr 2010 9:40am – 3pm
This one day conference (Cap. 500) is specifically designed to help students prepare for their AS-level mathematics C2 and S1/M1 examination papers. In the morning our very own Lecturers go systematically through AS-Level C2 and S1/M1 examination papers. In the afternoon, the WJEC Chief examiner will discuss how to prepare properly for an AS-level paper and good examination technique. Our very own Head of Division will also outline some of the career prospects open to students studying mathematics. 
 
Easter Mathematics GCSE (Higher Tier) Revision Conference Day – Fri 16th Apr 2010 9:40am – 2:30pm
This one day conference event, sponsored by the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications (IMA), is specifically designed to help students prepare for their forthcoming GCSE Mathematics exam. In the morning our own lecturers will review past GCSE Higher Tier Mathematics exam papers 1 & 2. In the afternoon, a WJEC keynote speaker (TBA) will discuss just how to prepare and adopt good examination technique. There will also be some brief talks on the wide variety of career opportunities open to students who study mathematics (capacity 200).

Royal Institution Mathematics Masterclasses in Wales

The 2010 series of mathematics masterclasses for more able year 9 pupils from secondary schools in Swansea and Carmarthenshire is being offered by the Wales Instititute of Mathematical and Computational Sciences from 23rd January 2010 with the support of Swansea and Swansea Metropolitan Universities and the Royal Institution.  Details of the 2010 Masterclass Programme can be found here.  Please note that in case of severe weather conditions, you are advised not to travel unless it is safe to do so.  However, every effort will be made to provide an event for those who do manage to make their way safely to the venue.

The masterclasses in North Wales are run by the University of Bangor and supported by Anglesey Aluminium Metal Ltd.  For further information please follow the link http://www.maths.bangor.ac.uk/masterclasses/mastclas.html. 

The University of Glamorgan runs a range of mathematics activities for schools in South East Wales including masterclasses and more information may be found at www.glam.ac.uk/maths.

For more information on WIMCS's outreach activities including the mathematics masterclasses, please contact Alison Braddock (Email: outreachcoordinator@wimcs.ac.uk.  For further information on the Royal Institution and its mathematics masterclasses, please visit http://www.rigb.org.

Aberystwyth Mathematics Club

The Aberystwyth Mathematics Club is run by the Institute of Mathematics and Physics at Aberystwyth University.  Its main aim is to provide enjoyable and stimulating mathematics to study.  Membership of AMC is open to everyone who has an interest in mathematics, both students and teachers. The topics are related to those studied at school/college, but go beyond the typical syllabus. You can read and/or download our material for free; if you become a correspondent, you will receive detailed feedback on any solutions you submit. The AMC provides support in a variety of languages, including Welsh. It hopes that you will like and make use of the materials provided. You may find yourself better prepared for studying mathematics at any University, and enjoy it more as a result. The Club's activities are supported by an outreach programme of visits to schools and colleges. Further information about aims and objectives, how to join, how to access the mathematics documents, how to become a correspondent, and what outreach activities AMC runs can be found by clicking on the http://www.aber.ac.uk/maps/amc/en/index.php link.

EPSRC Partnerships for Engagement Schools Roadshows Project - Maths on Tour

The aim of this proposal is to inspire and motivate school children in Key Stage 3 (aged 11–14) and Key Stage 4 (aged 14–16) in Wales to continue to study mathematics and computational sciences at GCE A/AS and higher educational levels. The proposal is supported by the Universities of Aberystwyth, Bangor, Cardiff, Glamorgan and Swansea, which are the partner institutions of the Wales Institute of Mathematical and Computational Sciences. The main contractor on the proposal is science made simple an award winning science communication company specialising in the development of interactive presentations for schools and public groups.
 
The key messages we want to get across are:
 
  1. Mathematics is fundamental for science, engineering, finance, industry and commerce.
  2. A wide range of careers are open to those who study mathematics.
  3. Mathematics provides key skills required at almost all levels of employment.
  4. Mathematics provides individuals with empowering skills in private and social life.
  5. Mathematics is a living discipline with active researchers. 
The methods we will use to achieve our aim and put across the key messages are:
 
  1. The development and delivery of a new Key Stage 3 (11-14 years old) Roadshow for schools that highlights the range of careers open to mathematicians.  Short film clips of inspiring role models will be included. At least 2 of the role models will be involved in current mathematical research.
  2. The development and delivery of a new Key Stage 4 (14-16 years old) Roadshow for schools that illustrates how mathematics can be used to evaluate information pupils come across in everyday life.  It will be based on a game show approach with competing teams of pupils.
  3. A training programme for presenters of the roadshows.
The proposal uses an established method of engagement, the roadshow, in a new way. The performance format of the Maths on Tour Roadshows means that around 150 pupils can attend each show within their own school.  Flexible timings for schools will be offered and the cost to schools of the Roadshows will be heavily subsidised to encourage take up. Resources for both of the Roadshows will be bilingual (English and Welsh).
 
The aim is to deliver 60 Roadshows over the life of the project to secondary schools across Wales.  With an average audience size of 150 students per show, this gives an anticipated impact of 9000 students.  Of the 60 shows it is anticipated that 40 will be delivered by science made simple staff, and the remaining 20 by university research and academic staff thereby widening awareness of university level research in the mathematical sciences. 
 
After the end of the project, the Roadshows will continue to be offered which will widen the choice of enrichment and enhancement opportunities to schools in Wales and represent current mathematics research and its applications. It is likely that in an average year, the shows will be booked by schools at least 20 times, giving an ongoing impact of around 3000 students per year.