The Faculty of Education at the University of Aberdeen is to host the first regional Enterprising Mathematics Challenge competition for primary schools tomorrow (Wednesday April 2) at an event jointly organised with Aberdeen City Council and SETPOINT Scotland North, at the Elphinstone Hall, University of Aberdeen.
Over 60 school pupils from 21 Aberdeen primary schools will compete in a variety of mathematical games and problems. The three 'challenges' will involve producing a poster on the topic 'Time' before taking part in a series of maths puzzles. All activities are against the clock with the final relay event 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 and one of the Event Organisers 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 have been overwhelmed by the enthusiastic response from schools and have already had interest from other councils for next year. We would like to thank Clive Chambers, organiser of the original senior challenge, for his dedication to promoting mathematics beyond the curriculum."
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 the first 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 21 schools taking part are sure to have an interesting and exciting day ahead. The emphasis is on having fun and working together, and we hope that if the day proves to be as successful as the secondary challenges we have run in the past, we will go on to organise further events like this one."
Vivien Ellins, SETPOINT Scotland North STEM Coordinator said: "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 P6 or P7 pupils in the Competition. All participants will be given a certificate with prizes awarded to the three individual challenge winners. Alex Hunter, Head of School Planning, Improvement and Quality Assurance, Aberdeen City Council will join Cathy Macaslan, Dean of the Faculty of Education in presenting the prizes.
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. It is hoped that the event will become an annual regional competition open to primary schools throughout the North and North-east of Scotland.