On Friday the 24th of November the Lower Sixth A-Level Maths and Further Maths students, accompanied by Mrs Collard and Mr Segura Renau, embarked on a study trip to King’s Conference Centre Manchester for the Maths in Action live event. There they were able to engage with an entire day of interactive and thought provoking talks.
Dr Yolanda Ohene, a neuroimaging scientist, highlighted the crucial role maths plays in developing imaging techniques. Her talk resonated with budding Bedian biologists, showcasing the integral role of maths in their beloved science.
Dr Simon Singh, a familiar name from the A-Level Maths wider reading list, discussed Fermat’s Last Theorem, one of the most notorious problems in the history of mathematics. He shared a segment of his documentary, which gives an insight into Andrew Wiles’ development of a proof for the theorem. He brought maths to life, leaving a lasting impact on students.
One of the further mathematicians felt that Simon Singh’s talk really resonated with them. Maciej W. stated:
“When listening to Mr Singh, his words left a lasting imprint on my brain. They made me see things I had not seen before, entertain ideas which had never crossed my mind. His talk brought maths to life and helped me realize maths is so much more than just some mundane numbers on a page. Maths is the foundation of our world in which we live today. He also signed my calculator. Very cool,”
Dr. Colin Wright’s memorable talk, “Maths with a twist”, introduced topology, showcasing the study of shapes and surfaces. He showed in real time how surfaces such as the möbius strip could be manipulated to create a variety of unpredictable combinations of intertwined topological objects. He also revealed a hidden talent of his – he was able to juggle five balls simultaneously – we were all impressed!
Sophie Maclean presented “Mathemusic,” an interactive session prompting student participation. Alison Kiddle’s talk on risk and reward aligned perfectly with the statistics side of the A-Level Maths course.
A guest speaker gave a talk which provided insightful tips and tricks for the A-Level Maths exam itself. The students unanimously agreed that the tips are easily applicable and anticipated them coming in handy for their future examinations.
The students were keen to take part in the talks, even volunteering to go up on stage and get hands-on. The trip provided students with the opportunity to get an indication of what it would be like to pursue maths as a future career and the plethora of opportunities that securing a solid grade in A-Level Maths brings. The live event allowed students to envision Maths as part of a bigger picture, as a multifaceted subject which plays an interconnected role in each aspect of our lives. Overall the trip was an incredible success.
By Frankie I.
