which students should I bring?
The events are designed for students whose maths attainment is broadly above average.
If schools have lots of broadly higher achievers to choose from, some schools might select students who they know will make the most of the opportunity – eg those who focus well – or use the trip a reward for those who have worked hard.
Other schools might select students for whom they feel the event will be most impactful. This could be students who show potential, but need a push to show them that maths is for them (perhaps because of social stereotypes, eg girls). Or this could be students who might not get the opportunity to do this kind of thing outside of school – eg students from lower socio-economic backgrounds.
All the content is engaging and age appropriate. However, like any theatre show, for the experience of all of the audience, students will need to be able to be pay attention and enjoy the show without engaging in off-topic chatter, or any distracting or disruptive behaviour. We request that in respect to other schools you do not bring any students who you know are going to find it difficult to manage this.
what maths is in the event?
Inside Maths events are designed to show students the value and the joy of maths.
The ‘value of maths’ might be experienced, for example, by seeing the link between maths and medical advances, or how maths makes some of the technology we use every day work, or how maths links to art.
The ‘joy of maths’ is realised through ‘wow’ moments on stage; perhaps when maths makes a spell-binding magic trick work, or we experience the surprise of an expected pattern, or through the satisfaction of winning a game by using mathematical thinking.
The material is curriculum-adjacent. Students will be using the maths understanding they gain at school in new, ‘enrichment’, contexts.
where are my school’s tickets?
We don’t issue tickets for our events.
Close to the time of the event, you will receive an email you that will set out the arrangements, with any details you need.
You will then check in with your party at registration on the day of the event. Seats are usually allocated on a first-come-first-served basis and we try to keep school groups seated together.
do you have any ideas of where we can find external funding to help us with the ticket cost?
Jack Petchey Award: Previously some schools have managed to fund maths events with money from the Jack Petchey Award. We’re not 100% sure of the eligibility criteria or the process to achieve this, but it’s worth looking into as relatively frequently a school tell us a Think Maths (in school booking) was made possible with Jack Petchey money.
Blue Spark Foundation: As on their website, ‘schools, colleges and community groups in England can apply for grants to support the education and development of children and young people through educational, cultural, sporting and other projects. Projects that will help enhance the self-confidence, teamwork skills and future employability of children and young people are of particular interest.’
The Blue Spark Foundation website lists academic activities such as STEM activities as an example of what the funding could be used for.
London Mathematical Society – Small Education Grants:
*This grant used to open for applications quarterly (to schools anywhere – not just in London), but is currently being reviewed and so not currently open for applications. It may be that the LMS re-instate this grant, so it might be worth checking their website periodically.*
Up to £600-£800 to UK based applicants.
The grants are designed to help fund activities that meet either of the following aims: enhancing and enriching mathematical study beyond the curriculum, engaging the public with mathematics or encouraging unusual ways of communicating mathematics.