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Activities

Schools Mathematics Enrichment

The University of Newcastle Mathematics Department has a long history of community engagement, including running an enrichment program for talented high school students. This is currently held every fortnight for interested year 9 and 10 students in terms 2 and 3, and covers areas not traditionally addressed in the standard curriculum through mathematical problem solving. Presenters are drawn from the maths faculty, research higher degree students and outside of the university to give a range of perspectives. Feedback from students is generally very positive, and through this program we hope to encourage participants to explore maths further in various ways. The Department is always keen to notify teachers and students of these sessions, so please contact us if you are interested in hearing more about the current maths enrichment series.
Contact: Jeff Hogan

CARMA Young Mathematicians Programme

The CARMA Young Mathematicians Programme is a pilot programme building on the Enrichment Programme which introduces school students to

1. Thinking as a mathematician
2. Applications of mathematics
3. Computer software tools for mathematical explorations
4. CARMA's research

Contact: Malcolm Roberts, Andrew Kepert

Teaching Mathematics Teachers

Around ten years ago, Malcolm Roberts developed two specialised courses for trainee mathematics teachers. These courses, developed on sound educational principles, introduce students to the processes of mathematics and thinking as a mathematician. They succeed in positively transforming students' attitudes towards mathematics and are amongst the most popular second-year mathematics courses at UoN. We are interested in making these courses, and others like them, more widely available.

Kath Holmes and Elena Prieto run a course for practising teachers who wish to re-training as mathematics teachers.

Contact: Malcolm Roberts, Andrew Kepert, Elena Prieto, Judy-anne Osborn

"Mathematical Rounds"

Mathematical rounds are akin to medical rounds, in which trainees accompany an expert practitioner on their rounds and discuss cases. Mathematical rounds are an implementaion of the Quality Teaching Framework, which was developed by Prof Jennifer Gore at UoN and which is used extensively across NSW in teacher training. Mathematical rounds are similar to techniques used in Finland, renowned for its excellent mathematical education.
Contact: Elena Prieto, Malcolm Roberts, Andrew Kepert, Judy-anne Osborn

Teachers Visit Day Presentations

2013

• Andrew Kepert, Peter Howley, Elena Prieto: "Maths at University, Maths in Schools "
  This session will discuss developments in national programs for ensuring that Australia continues to have the mathematical skills and knowledge required for its future. In particular, ensuring well-defined pathways through school, university and into rewarding careers in mathematics, science, technology and engineering. Key to this goal is ensuring that the schools attract and retain inspiring and well-trained mathematics teachers.
• Malcolm Roberts, Judy-anne Osborn: "Doing Mathematics with GAuSS"
  As you may be aware Carl Friedrich Gauss (1777-1855) had a remarkable influence in many fields of mathematics and science and is ranked as one of history's most influential mathematicians. Wouldn't it be great if we could have someone like him to help us when we are doing our own mathematics? In a sense we can. These days there are a significant number of general purpose mathematical software tools that encode an enormous amount of "mathematics knowledge", (including GAuSS, i.e. Geometry, Algebra, u (?), Statistics, Simulation). Even better, in each category there are excellent free and open source packages that can be used.In this session we will introduce to you how you could use such packages to help you, and your students, do some of your own mathematics.
• Kath Holmes, Elena Prieto: "Learning Mathematics with Purpose — Uses of PBL in the Mathematics Classroom"
  In this session we will talk about authentic learning tasks used in the mathematics classroom. We will overview strategies currently being implemented in Australia and overseas and give several practical examples. We will invite a lively discussion and would like to workshop ideas from teachers who are already using PBL in their classroom.

2012

• Andrew Kepert, Eric Beh: AMSI Future of Mathematics forum
• Roslyn Hickson, Ben Brawn, Judy-anne Osborn: "Teaching Calculus with Excel"
• Kath Holmes, Elena Prieto: "How to combat Australia's skills shortage: a mathematician's view"

Mathematics in the Science and Engineering Challenge

The Science and Engineering Challenge is a nationwide outreach program lead by the University of Newcastle in conjunction with various partners and sponsors. The Challenge is designed to inspire students to study science and engineering at a senior level. In 2013, a mathematics activity was introduced, designed by Olivia Smith, Ben Brawn and Roslyn Hickson.
Contact: Ben Brawn

NUMS: Newcastle University Mathematics and Statistics Society

The Newcastle University Mathematics and Statistics Society are well-known for their series of undergraduate mathematics talks, and hold film nights and other social events.
Contact: MAPS executive officer for contact information for the current NUMS president

Mathematicians in Schools

Various people visit primary and secondary schools across Australia, both on their own initiative or as part of the CSIRO's "Mathematicians in Schools" and "Scientists in Schools" programmes.
Contact: Jeff Hogan

Australian Mathematics Competition

Andrew Kepert has been deeply involved in the Australian Mathematics Competition for over a decade, and is interested in its impact on Australian school students.
Contact: Andrew Kepert

Communicating Mathematics in the Media

• Judy-anne Osborn: "Tipping the Balance Towards Humanity in WWZ"
• Jon Borwein: Pi-day talks and radio interviews
• Jon Borwein, Fran Aragon: "Walking on Real Numbers"
• Jon Borwein: numerous popular articles
• John O'Connor: 2NUR radio fortnightly science slot
• Roslyn Hickson: occasional 2NUR radio fortnightly science slot

Contact: Judy-anne Osborn, George Willis

Mathematical Modelling, Simulation and Optimisation

Much of our early mathematical training would have us believe that mathematics is the study of arithmetic, algebra and geometry. While there is no doubt that these ideas are central, mathematics is extremely diverse and has applications in engineering, business, industry and almost every other discipline. In this session we investigate a highly practical area of mathematics known as mathematical modelling, simulation and optimisation. Activities include computing the constant Pi using die, consulting for business decision making, and the mathematics behind nuclear magnetic resonance imaging. This activity is organised by the University of Newcastle's Equity and Diversity unit as part of their "Uni in the Classroom" programme.

Contact: Kirrily Stokes

SMART Program

More information is available on the Faculty of Science and Information Technology's webpage.

Contact: Terry Burns

SSAI Poster Competition

Visit the competition web site for more information.

Contact: Peter Howley