The Keynote Address A Box of Mathematical Delights

Professor Adam McBride
Adam has a unique insight into the development of mathematical education in Scotland and will present a personal view of the scene over the last 40 years along with some of the many pleasures it has brought him.

Workshop A: Mathematics and Mobile Phones

Dr Philip Knight, Dept. of Maths and Stats, University of Strathclyde
The ubiquity of the mobile phone is clearly a triumph of engineering.
But have you ever considered how much of its success relies on mathematics? From the design of aerials to the secure transmission of information, the mobile phone serves as a great example of maths in action. Here we give a brief tour of some of these areas, including a look at the link between the study of the causes of war by a pacifist from Dunoon and the small size of today's phones.

Workshop B: Lesson from America

Nevil Hopley, PT Maths, George Watson's College
The SMC recently supported my attendance at an American Maths Conference and this workshop will share some of the experiences and activities that I gained: They will include ways to teach calculus concepts to pre-Higher students, listening to the 'tune' of any function using Geometer's Sketchpad, optimisation problems and algebra activities using TI-Nspire. Participants can use all of these activities with their own SG, Int2, H and AH students.

Workshop C: Problem solving, proof and precision in mathematics No 6

Clive Chambers
A further look at presentations, non-routine questions and problems in mathematics that will help stimulate thinking skills and interest in a wide range of mathematics. Now including a new feature: what am I reading?

Workshop D: FEUERSTEIN APPROACHES IN MATHEMATICS

Anne -Theresa Lawrie, Scottish Borders Council and Pauline Anderson, Kelso High School
Mediated Learning Experience is a teaching methodology which ensures that students are aware: of what they are learning; why they are learning and how to transfer learning across the curriculum. Two learning communities in Scottish Borders have developed Mediated Learning Experience as the key teaching and learning vehicle for delivery of many of the aims of CfE. Kelso High School Mathematics Department has introduced a thinking skills programme called Instrumental Enrichment (IE) into the S1/S2 maths course and this is based on research which demonstrates that students who participate in IE improve their mathematical abilities.

Workshop E: Connecting it up: Towards a route map for STEM education in Scotland

Elsa Ekevall and Alan Roach, University of Glasgow
You will have an opportunity to learn about the STEM Pathways mapping work that the SMC is participating in. Science, technology and mathematics teachers are working collaboratively to illustrate successively more sophisticated ways of thinking and learning about "core ideas" across STEM subjects, over time. This reveals interconnections across the STEM disciplines. Using the developed STEM Pathways, opportunities will be highlighted to

(i) exploit cross-disciplinary synergies and reinforce learning,

(ii) harmonise methods, processes and vocabulary, and

(iii) implement a range of relevant and engaging interdisciplinary projects

The “Connecting It Up” project is funded by the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation and is a collaboration between STEMED Scotland, ASE, TTA and SMC.