Details of our events for the public and schools are posted below - we update this list and add new events regularly. If you would like to receive an email notification about future events please join our MMP events mailing list.You can also follow the MMP on Twitter to get instant events information and news updates.

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  • Alan Turing and the Enigma Machine

    Date: 
    Wednesday, 26 June 2013 - 10:30am to 11:30am
    Location: 
    Centre for Mathematical Sciences, Wilberforce Road, Cambridge CB3 0WA
    Speaker: 
    Dr James Grime

    Alan Turing was one of our great 20th century mathematicians, and a pioneer of computer science. However, he may best be remembered as one of the leading code breakers of Bletchley Park during World War II. Turing's brilliant insights and mathematical mind helped to break Enigma, the apparently unbreakable code used by the German military. This talk by Dr James Grime presents a history of both Alan Turing and the Enigma cipher, leading up to this fascinating battle of man against machine - including a full demonstration of an original WWII Enigma Machine!

    How to book:

    The talk is free and all are welcome (aged 16+ only), but please pre-book tickets online here. Organised as part of a morning programme for visiting students from the University of Delhi, this talk has been opened up to the public, and will be aimed at an interested non-specialist adult audience.

    About the speaker:

    Dr James Grime is a mathematician and public speaker who works for the Millennium Mathematics Project at the University of Cambridge. He can be mostly found touring the UK, and the world, giving talks about the history and mathematics of codes and code breaking as part of our Enigma Project.

    Event full?: 
    Places still available
    Level: 
    General public
    Level additional information: 
    This talk is aimed at an interested non-specialist adult audience but is also open to students aged 16+

  • STEM Teacher Inspiration Day: Embedding STEM in the Curriculum

    Date: 
    Thursday, 4 July 2013 - 10:00am to 4:00pm
    Location: 
    Centre for Mathematical Sciences, Wilberforce Road, Cambridge CB3 0WA

    The free NRICH STEM Teacher Inspiration professional development programme aims to support Key Stage 3, 4 and 5 mathematics, science and technology teachers who are committed to enhancing mathematical links across STEM subjects within their school. The aim is to help teachers nurture confident, resourceful and enthusiastic learners with a deeper understanding of the fundamental links between mathematics, science and technology.

    This day will focus on embedding STEM in the curriculum: moving on from the STEM club and the special event to thinking through how STEM can become part of regular classroom practice. The keynote speaker will be Alf Coles, senior lecturer in Education at the University of Bristol, who will talk about 'Teaching as if the Planet Matters'. For more information see the STEM Teacher Inspiration programme page on our NRICH website.

    Thanks to generous support from the Clothworkers' Foundation we are able to offer free places to Key Stage 3, 4 or 5 mathematics, science and technology teachers from UK schools/colleges.

    How to book: To book places please complete the online booking form.

    Event full?: 
    Places still available
    Level additional information: 
    Key Stage 3, 4 or 5 mathematics, science and technology teachers

  • Mathemagic with a Deck of Cards

    Date: 
    Thursday, 18 July 2013 - 5:30pm to 6:30pm
    Location: 
    Centre for Mathematical Sciences, Wilberforce Road, Cambridge CB3 0WA
    Speaker: 
    Professor Colm Mulcahy (Spelman College, Atlanta)

    There seems to be no end to the mathemagical things one can explore with a simple deck of cards, from algebra and combinatorics to probability and statistics.

    In this talk, Colm Mulcahy will explore mostly new principles in mathemagic and their applications to card tricks, which provide an entertaining and often surprising forum for mathematics. Two special features include "The Father Ted" card trick, and examples of "two-person mathemagic," in which communication is done via nontrivial pre-agreed mathematical conventions.

    How to book:

    The talk is free, but entrance is by ticket only - book tickets online here.

    About the speaker:

    Dubliner Colm Mulcahy is Professor of Mathematics at Spelman College (Atlanta, Georgia). His mathematical interests are broad, and he is a recipient of the Mathematical Association of America's Allendoerfer Award for excellence in expository writing on wavelets. His hobbies include inventing mathematical puzzles and card tricks, many of which he's published at MAA.org starting in 2004, some have also appeared in The New York Times. Colm Mulcahy blogs at the Aperiodical and the Huffington Post, and tweets at @CardColm.

    Event full?: 
    Places still available
    Level: 
    General public
    Level additional information: 
    General public (suggested age range 14+)
Download a map and directions to the Centre for Mathematical Sciences, where most of these events are held, unless marked otherwise, or see the University of Cambridge's online map. The main entrance to the Centre for Mathematical Sciences is via the footpath off Clarkson Road (running next to the Isaac Newton Institute car park) and then through the CMS gatehouse. This is signposted.