Page 15 - Spring 2020 Echo for website

Mathematics 1133

Plymouth University Mathematics Taster Day

Last term, Year 10 students attended a Mathematics Taster Day at Plymouth
University. Thirteen students attended the course, which included a
presentation on an insight into Mathematics beyond GCSE, and also the
benefits of having an A Level qualification in Mathematics.
This informative and interesting day was divided into three main activities.
The first was titled ‘Distinguishing footballs from doughnuts’! in which the
students investigated the Euler characteristics.
Activity 2 was split into two parts with the students using the university’s wave
machines to measure the impact that different waves have on a sea
defence and look at the different ways they could reduce the impact.
They also used a machine that allowed them to change the flow of a river in
order to reduce erosion.
The students then undertook a surveying task to estimate the height of an
object above sea level, using a theodolite and other survey apparatus.
In the final activity the students were shown how some simple mathematics
enables them to look at real-world problems in a new light. The day proved
very thought provoking and was enjoyed by all students who attended.

UKMT Team Success

On Thursday, 5 March, students Katie and Ayden, both in Year 8, and Lucy and Matthew, in Year 9,
represented the College in the regional finals of the UKMT Team Challenge which was held at a local Devon
School.
Teams were made up from Gifted and Talented students
from schools and colleges across the county, and this
year saw fifteen teams taking part.
At the end of stage one in the Challenge, there was only
one point separating the top five teams. The Ivybridge
team took the lead in the second Challenge, but
eventually took second place.

Caron Russell, Mathematics Resources Assistant,
who accompanied the students said, “Our students
performed well above average to finish in second place,
an outstanding achievement! Congratulations are well
deserved.”