To complement the free online resources produced for our ‘Maths and Sport: Countdown to the Games’ project, we have also developed a Maths of Sport Roadshow for schools, suitable for KS2, 3 and 4 (Years 4 to 10), which can be booked to visit schools for a special maths event. The Maths of Sport Roadshow was launched in September 2011.
The Maths of Sport Roadshow explores some of the underlying mathematics of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Students compete in teams in the Maths Pentathlon or the Maths Triathlon event: a carousel of five or three hands-on maths activities focused on Olympic and Paralympic sports and infrastructure planning and design. The hands-on activities put into practice students' knowledge of number, calculation, shape, space and measures, data handling and representation, strategy and teamwork. The teams' results are discussed and analysed towards the end of the session before announcing the bronze, silver and gold winning teams.
How it works, and how many students can be involved?
There are two options for the Maths of Sport Roadshow - the Maths Triathlon or the Maths Pentathlon. It is possible to create a combination of both these formats to suit your timetable. The activities demand concentration and co-operation from all team members: most successful sessions involve pupils of mixed or higher ability, and/or have older or more able pupils as peer assistants.
Format 1 - the Maths Pentathlon
The Maths Pentathlon is a carousel of five hands-on maths activities. The format involves sessions of approximately 2 hours with up to 30 students at a time, arranged in 5 teams. The Maths Pentathlon is suitable for Y7 to Y10, with a maximum of two sessions in a whole day.
Format 2 - the Maths Triathlon
The Maths Triathlon is a carousel of three hands-on activities. The format involves sessions of approximately 1 hour 15 mins with up to 36 students at a time, arranged in 6 teams, with a maximum of four sessions in a full day. The Maths Triathlon is more suitable for Y4 to Y7, or if you wish to fit in more sessions to reach a larger number of students in a single day.
Venue required
A large space for around 30 students to move freely around five or six activity stations will need to be available. A projector screen and power source will also be required. Download a suggested floorplan for the Maths Triathlon and floorplan for the Maths Pentathlon.
Costs and booking
The cost for a Maths of Sport Roadshow visit is £595 for a full day, plus travel costs (charged at 45p/mile from Cambridge) and accommodation where necessary. Cancellation costs apply (please see our cancellation policy).
To make a booking please complete and return a booking form. To check date availability, or for any other queries, please contact Susan Hickman Pinder, MMP Schools Liaison Officer.
The Maths of Sport Roadshow complements and builds on the Millennium Mathematics Project's experience with the existing highly successful Hands-On Maths Roadshow, Risk and Probability Show and Enigma Project.
Feedback from schools
"New innovative ways of challenging students in Maths. Very interesting and fun experience for the students." Coláiste Pobail Setanta, Dublin
"It was interesting to see how our students could meet many different maths concepts in a short space of time and seeing how motivated the tasks made the students. A very worthwhile experience for my students. It introduced them to many new maths concepts without them even realising it!" Coláiste Pobail Setanta, Dublin
"Motivational, engaging and fun!" Liss Junior School
"A real challenge for all the children whatever their ability as they were all able to work out he challenges together using team work. ... The children have undoubtedly gained from the session and it has helped them to understand how important the process of working systematically is to a successful investigation." Liss Junior School
"I learnt different ideas for my own teaching. My students were engaged and on task – a very unusual thing for this group especially for 2 hours!" Pleckgate High School
"Fantastic chance to learn maths outside the classroom that was very useful and engaging." Oundle School
