Maths May-hem!

On Friday 1 May excited pupils from Excel Academy, Biddulph High School, Clayton Hall Business & Language College, Ormiston Sir Stanley Matthews Academy and Madeley High School joined NULC for Maths May-hem challenges!

Maths May-hem was planned by a group of trainee teachers from Staffordshire University, who are currently studying for their Post Graduate Certificate in Education (Mathematics). The PGCE students designed a range of fun but challenging activities to enhance the pupil’s knowledge and interest in maths. Pupils were split into groups and the activities were put in different rooms. Each group then worked in competition to gain a maximum of 50 points per room.

The various activities included a ‘Problem Solving Room’, where pupils had to test their spatial awareness skills using coloured cubes to construct objects in a certain order. The ‘Statistics and Probability Room’ took pupils to a day at the races. Whilst there were no over-sized hats required, pupils were asked to use their maths knowledge to work out the different horse’s probabilities of winning.

The Year 9 and 10 pupils were surprised by how much fun the ‘Algebra Room’ was in which they took part in a fast-paced relay race that challenged their ideas and also taught them when certain equations may not be needed. The ‘Standard Challenge & Super Challenge Room’ was described by one pupil as: “fun and energetic!”. They were given the choice to stick at a standard challenge or gamble for a super challenge to gain more points.

All of the challenges were varied to strengthen pupils overall knowledge on maths. Abigail Hancock, a Year 10 pupil from Excel Academy, said: “There was a variety of fun puzzles and problems to solve in each session. It has been very interesting and I really enjoyed the competition.”

Everyone then gathered into the auditorium to a final maths based treasure hunt. The groups worked in competition and were given instructions to start on a certain problem. Once the team had solved the problem, the answer would then be a clue to find the next problem! Rebecca Massey, a pupil from Ormiston Sir Stanley Matthews Academy, enjoyed the afternoon: “It has been both challenging and fun, overall I’ve had a fantastic day.”

The winning teams, who came in joint first place, were Madeley High School and Clayton Hall Business and Language College. The schools look forward to retaining their title at next year’s event!

Ineke Drijfhout, a Year 10 pupil from Madeley High School, summed up her day; “The day was fun and enjoyable and the staff were all really nice, helpful and encouraging.”

If you would like to book a taster session, or be involved in our next school challenge, please contact Gareth & Tara on 01782 254 347 or email schools@nulc.ac.uk

 

On Thursday 2 April Newcastle-under-Lyme College’s Schools Liaison Team, Tara and Gareth, invited pupils from three local schools to experience a day in the life of a Construction worker.

 

Pupils from Birches Head Academy, NCHS - The Science College and Clayton Hall Business & Language College enjoyed tasters in Joinery, Electrical Installation, Painting & Decorating and Bricklaying.

In the Bricklaying taster Year 10 and 11 pupils learned the art of pointing and the importance of using a spirit level to build a secure structure. Megan Still, a Year 10 pupil from Birches Head Academy, said: “I really enjoyed Bricklaying, it was a new experience and I liked learning new skills.”

In the Joinery workshop pupils were introduced to different tools and learned new techniques to make a coat hook. Conair Bibby a Year 10 pupil from Birches Head Academy, said; “Joinery was awesome and I can’t wait to hang my coat hook on the back of my door.”

Dom Howard a year 10 pupil from Clayton Hall Business & Language College, also enjoyed the session; “Joinery was fun and I learned lots of great, new techniques. The whole day has been a fantastic experience!”

The Painting & Decorating taster brought an edge of competition to the day, with pupils using new techniques they had learned to show off their skills with a paint brush. Fabien Johns a Year 10 pupil from NCHS, stated that this session was his favourite; “I really enjoyed Painting & Decorating, I liked using different techniques and colours to paint our animals.”

Pupil’s knowledge was tested in the Electrical Installation workshop and, as one pupil commented, “Nobody got electrocuted!”. Joe Bennett a Year 10 pupil from NCHS, said; “I found it interesting to learn how electric works and I really enjoyed the whole experience of college.”

As well as enjoying a great dinner from the College’s food hall, all the pupils and staff had a fantastic experience of College life. Mr. Finnemore from NCHS, thought each session was great; “Visiting each department gave the opportunity to discuss the progress of former students.”

 

 

If you would like to bring a group of pupils to experience college life and learn about the success of previous students, please email Tara and Gareth at: schools@nulc.ac.uk

 

Maths Motivation at NULC’s Lego Innovation Studio

Clayton Hall Business and Language College Year 11 pupil’s enjoyed a morning of applying maths principles to build and programme  Lego Education ‘robots’ in the college’s brand new Lego Innovation Studio on Monday 26^th January with Lego Innovation Studio Manager, Andy Snape.

The session was designed to support Year 11 maths pupils as they approach their final GCSE exams. Nicky Smith, Head of Maths at Clayton Hall Business and Language College, said’ It was really enjoyable and a great way to both motivate those who do not generally enjoy maths but also an excellent way to extend and challenge the more able.’

Year 11 pupil Kyle Snape commented "I found this taster session to be very enjoyable. There wasn’t a moment during this session where I felt stuck."

The pupils showed excellent teamwork working in pairs and were set a number of challenges to complete in competition with their classmates.

If you would like to arrange a taster or visit for your pupils, please contact Gareth & Tara on 01782 254347 or email schools@nulc.ac.uk

Alternatively you can contact Andy Snape at legoinnovationstudio@nulc.ac.uk or come and visit us at an NULC open event, to pre-register and beat the queues go to www.nulc.ac.uk/events.