The University of Aberdeen is to host the second regional Enterprising Mathematics Challenge Competition for primary school pupils tomorrow (Wednesday, March 31) at an event jointly organised by Aberdeen City Council and SETPOINT Scotland North.
Over 66 school pupils from 22 Aberdeen City primary schools will compete in a variety of mathematical games and problems at the Elphinstone Hall, at the University of Aberdeen. The five 'challenges' will involve producing a poster, as well as taking part in 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.
The overall aim of the Enterprising Mathematics Challenge is to promote maths as a source of interest and pleasurable achievement particularly amongst younger children and to encourage enthusiasm in the subject.
Helen Martin, Lecturer at the University of Aberdeen and one of the Event Organisers, is looking forward to the event. She said: "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 the first event last year and have been overwhelmed by the enthusiastic response from schools for this year.
"We have visitors who are travelling from Aberdeenshire and Dundee who are interested in running a similar mathematics challenge event which is very encouraging."
Jackie Lamont, Curriculum Support Teacher for Mathematics (5-14), said: "We are pleased to be working in conjunction with the University of Aberdeen and SETPOINT Scotland North on this, the second Enterprising Mathematics Challenge for primary schools. We have been delighted by the response from schools in the City and the primary six and seven pupils from the 22 schools taking part are sure to have an interesting and exciting day ahead and we hope they will also improve their mathematical thinking skills. 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."
Vivien Ellins, SETPOINT Scotland North Co-ordinator, added: "We are delighted to be involved with the Enterprising Mathematics Challenge. It is a welcome addition to our maths programme for schools. SETPOINT Scotland North would like to build on the success of the day by using the Aberdeen model in similar joint ventures in the North of Scotland."
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.
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 last year and is now planned to become an annual regional competition open to primary schools throughout the North and North-east of Scotland.