Royal Institution Primary Mathematics Masterclasses
Young mathematicians in the Nottingham area are nominated by their school to attend Mathematics Masterclasses at Nottingham High School. Each Masterclass is led by our A Level Maths students.
Aims
The aim was to provide engaging activities, investigations and games, to develop children’s mathematical reasoning.
There is a need to provide inspiring STEM activities outside of the normal school day, to give strong young mathematicians the opportunity to extend their maths skills.
Background
Mrs Auterson, our Head of Careers identified the opportunity with the Royal Institution. The sessions allow our Sixth Formers to gain volunteering hours for their own endeavours, such as their UCAS applications or their Duke of Edinburgh Awards.
The Masterclasses have been running annually since 2021.
Resources
The project required the leadership of Mrs Auterson, to recruit primary schools, to oversee our Sixth Form students who led the classes, and to oversee all teaching activities and materials.
The masterclasses used a school classroom on Saturday mornings, as well as the school playing spaces.
Mrs Auterson gave 11 hours to the project. 6 of our Sixth Form students volunteered their time across 6 Saturday morning sessions, with each session lasting 1 and a half hours.
The children are gifted Möbius strips, as a visual aid to ignite interest in unusual mathematical concepts. Mrs Auterson also sent extension activities to parent to help the children to continue their learning at home.
Impact
At the close of the programme, Mrs Auterson asks participating children and parents to share testimonials on what they learnt from the sessions.
We are expecting children to report similar outcomes to last year’s programme – that they learnt new maths skills, and that they feel inspired to apply maths to everyday life.
Pupil Involvement
20 girls and boys aged 9-10 attended from 5 local state primary schools.
Frequency
We are planning to continue hosting these Masterclasses annually.