This week will see school pupils from all over the city of Aberdeen compete in a variety of mathematical challenges being hosted by the University of Aberdeen.
It is hoped that the third regional Enterprising Mathematics Challenge competition for primary school pupils will enthuse the 11 and 12 year-olds at tomorrow’s event (Wednesday, March 23).
The event has been organised to promote maths as a source of interest and pleasurable achievement particularly amongst younger children and to encourage enthusiasm in the subject.
Over 70 school pupils from Aberdeen City primary schools will compete in a variety of mathematical games and problems taking place in Elphinstone Hall, at the University of Aberdeen. The five ‘challenges’ will involve producing a poster, as well as a variety of maths puzzles. All activities are against the clock with the final relay challenge providing a spectacular climax to a day of mathematics.
Helen Martin, Lecturer in Mathematics Education at the University and one of the Event Organisers, is looking forward to the event. She said: “We are really hoping to enthuse the youngsters about mathematics in a fun and informative way. This is an exciting opportunity to make available to primary schools a very successful competition that was previously only open to secondary pupils. We had great feedback from the schools who participated in last year’s event and have been overwhelmed by the enthusiastic response from schools this year.”
Jackie Lamont, Curriculum Support Teacher for Maths (5-14), said: “We are pleased to be working in conjunction with the University of Aberdeen and SETPOINT Scotland North on this, the third Enterprising Mathematics Challenge for primary schools. We have been overwhelmed by the response from the City schools and the primary six and seven pupils from the 24 schools taking part have an interesting and exciting day ahead. The emphasis is on having fun and working together, and we hope that the day proves to be as successful as the secondary challenges we have run in the past and will improve their mathematical thinking skills.”
All primary schools in Aberdeen have been invited to enter a team of three Primary 6 or Primary 7 pupils to take part in this year’s challenge. All participants will receive certificates of participation with prizes awarded for the best poster and the overall winning team will be presented with the Challenge trophy.
Vivien Ellins, SETPOINT Scotland North Co-ordinator, added: “We are delighted to be taking part again in the Enterprising Mathematics Challenge. From creative work to problem solving and strategy this event illustrates the enjoyment that can be found in mathematics.”
The event is jointly organised by the University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen City Council and SETPOINT Scotland North with additional funding from the Edinburgh Mathematical Society. The event began two years ago and is now an annual competition open to primary schools across the city of Aberdeen.