Outreach

The AMSP provides training and support to teachers of Core Maths, AS/A level Mathematics and Further Mathematics and KS4 Higher Tier Mathematics. The AMSP supports the development of Higher Level Problem Solving skills including support for teachers helping students prepare for STEP, AEA and MAT examinations.

Enrichment events for KS3, 4 and 5 students are regularly organised, the aim being to try to enthuse and excite students about Mathematics and encourage them to study the subject at level3 and beyond. This includes publicising the value of STEM subjects at school, university and within industry and commerce. Activities organised include:

• Annual whole day enrichment events for around 180 KS4 students.
• KS4 Problem solving days.
• Year 12 Problem solving conferences.
• Maths in Fashion conference.
• Maths in Sport conference.
• Maths in the Environment conference.
• Maths at Work conference.
• A/A* GCSE revision days.
• A level module revision days.
• Year 10 Maths Feast.
• Year 12/13 Maths Challenge.

These activities have proved to be very enjoyable, it is hoped that they support the personal development of young people and also promote the importance of Mathematics. When run at the University, they will include a tour of the university, led by an undergraduate, this gives the visitors a brief view of university life and what it could offer them

A key aim of the Advanced Mathematics Support Programme is to contribute to the Continuing Professional Development of mathematics teachers. There are a variety of courses for GCSE, Core, A level Maths and Further Maths in your area run by the AMSP Area Coordinator.

In 2018 AMSP secured a contract,via MEI. To enhance the complete breadth of Level 3 maths, to include Core Mathematics, it is now our aim to attempt to get all students, Post 16 to study one of the Level 3 suite of Mathematics.

The work carried out for the Student Outreach and Recruitment team is very varied and interesting. We support University Experience Days for Years 7-13 students offering a wide range of practical activities. These include:

• Packaging workshops,
• Discrete mathematics workshops,
• Ratio and proportion workshops,
• Coding workshops.

We also contribute to events such as the National Science and Engineering Week.

In addition we are actively involved in training programs for Student Outreach and Recruitment staff and undergraduate students involving techniques regarding working effectively with young people.

For the past three years the Mathematics Education Centre has supported Year 12 students working on Nuffield Programmes during the summer holidays. The projects successfully carried out are:

• Using Lego Mindstorm Robots to enthuse young people about mathematics,
• Designing a Mathematics Trail at Snibston Discovery Park, Coalville for KS4 students,
• Designing workshops around the historical development of bridges and the mathematics involved in this.

Another role that we carry out is to advise staff within the University about curriculum details relating to schools. This is done on an informal basis and has been useful for staff. There is also representation on the HE expert advisory committee involved in restructuring the A level Mathematics syllabus to assist students coming to University to be better prepared mathematically.

These activities have proved to be very enjoyable, it is hoped that they support the personal development of young people and also promote the importance of Mathematics.