Fun Maths Roadshow

http://www.maths.liv.ac.uk/lms/funmaths/

The Roadshow comprises of twelve `Boxes’, each of 25

practical mathematical activities, each set out on a

laminated A3 baseboard. In most locations it is convenient

to have two activities to a table. As 25 is an odd number, in

each Box we have indicated the activity that best has a table

to itself.

Very roughly, the boxes are graded as being appropriate

to pupils of Years 5 or 6 (top Primary) for Boxes 1 and 2,

through to Boxes 9 and 10 for use throughout Sixth Forms.

Boxes 11 and 12 are our interpretation of what ‘Functional

Maths’ is, and may be used with any of the upper years of

school.

Boxes 1 to 4 were put together in 1998 for use in top Junior and lower Secondary schools. The other Boxes have been assembled since then, for use further up the Secondary school. The guiding principle is that participants, whatever their age, should from time to time have the experience of meeting mathematics in a nonconfrontational setting in which everyone succeeds, the keywords being enjoyment and challenge. The Roadshow is ‘all-ability’, in the sense that in each Box there are some very easy activities, though nicely packaged, together with some quite challenging activities, all mixed up together.

With each baseboard there is an equipment list, solution list, certificate template and STEM return form.

The number of pupils taking part could be anything from 30 to 70 or 80. The pupils work in pairs, or the occasional three.

Anyone can help, but ideal helpers are older pupils from the school, who get great pleasure from being treated as staff. As they won't have seen the material before, they will need an initial briefing. In most cases they should each take responsibility for just a few activities, quickly becoming expert at these. They might then move around gradually. There should be at least two people who are fully familiar with the material, to assist in setting things out in order and putting things away carefully and efficiently at the end.

We recommend no chairs, with the tables arranged randomly, especially if using a hall. It can be disastrous if the first impression that the youngsters get is that they are coming to an examination. If exam desks have to be used, let them be arranged this-way that-way in pairs.

An exception to the no chairs rule should be No 30, the Post Office, in Box 2. At the outset every pupil receives a response form, customised with the date and place, with grids for the Boxes on display, and with two questions at the foot, to be answered in the final five minutes of the Session.

The Liverpool Mathematical Society became an Associate of SETNET in 2003, and we have regularly been involved in activities of Greater Merseyside SETPOINT since then, mainly at Anfield, but occasionally also at the University of Manchester. The North of Scotland SETPOINT has used Roadshow materials for some years. In the summer of 2003, the Roadshow was demonstrated to East London SETPOINT. In October of that year it was demonstrated to us here at SETPOINT Hertfordshire at a school in St Albans, and we now use the material in schools all over Hertfordshire. During March 2005, the Roadshow visited ten schools in Belfast at the invitation of Northern Ireland SETPOINT.