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The National Young Mathematicians’ Awards Returns!
Explore Learning is inviting pupils across the UK to compete in the only team maths competition for primary schools in the country, run in collaboration with the NRICH project at the University of Cambridge. Each school entering a team will have the unique opportunity to tackle a never-before-seen mathematical problem. Teams will battle through the heats happening across the country to win a place at the grand final to be held in Cambridge on Wednesday 13th December 2017.
The annual competition is free to enter with the main aim of inspiring the next generation of mathematicians.
And this year’s awards will be better than ever with Kjartan Poskitt, TV presenter and author of the Murderous Maths series of books, awarding the five finalist teams with a hilarious maths routine at the University of Cambridge as well as huge prize bundles from the likes of Meccano, Kidzania, Artline and Sum Fun!
The deadline for schools to register is Friday 20th October with the first rounds taking place on 8th and 9th November, with the victors going through to the semi-final on 29th November and the grand final on 13th December. The competition is open to primary school teams made up of two boys and two girls. Schools who want to register a team should head to www.explorelearning.co.uk/schools/national-young-mathematicians-awards/. If you are a parent of a maths whizz, speak to their school to register a team.
Charlotte Gater, Head of Curriculum at Explore Learning says: “We are very excited to launch our 8th National Young Mathematicians’ Awards. We’ll be looking for fantastic teamwork, mathematical thinking and thorough systematic recording to impress us. The competition has brought so much fun to children all over the country as they join together to be the best mathletes they can be!”
The winning team last year was four exceptional youngsters from Bilton Junior School in Rugby who reigned victorious over 500 teams from all over the UK and were presented with their prize by popular children’s author Stefan Gates.
This year’s maths ambassador, Kjartan Poskitt has written a hugely popular series of books for children encouraging them to improve their maths and provide a fun boost to their studies – The Murderous Maths series.
Author and TV presenter, Kjartan Poskitt says: “I’m so pleased to be involved with the National Young Mathematicians’ Awards this year. I’ve heard from so many kids who have taken part in the past and they’ve all loved it and come away feeling very proud of themselves. Explore Learning and NRICH are always coming up with fun new maths challenges, and of course nothing beats the feeling of getting an answer right!
“Maths isn’t just about sums, it’s about games, puzzles and tricks. My personal favourite thing is silly facts! (Did you know the number of seconds in 6 weeks = 10! i.e. 10x9x8x7x6x5x4x3x2x1?) So don’t miss this chance to join in, you’ll probably discover you’ve got skills you didn’t even know about!”
Last year over 500 schools participated in the competition with the top five making it to the Grand Final at the University of Cambridge. The teams that made it to the final included St Peter’s C of E Primary School from Colchester, Greswold Primary School from Shirley, Robert Gordon’s College from Aberdeen and Far field Junior School from Borehamwood with Bilton Junior School in Rugby being victorious.
As well as a fantastic prize from Explore Learning and the chance to see a stand up maths routine from the hilarious Kjartan Poskitt at the University of Cambridge, this year’s winners will receive an incredible maths themed prize bundle that will include:
- A Meccano M.A.X. Robot worth £149.99 – the most advanced Meccano robot to date, drawing on advanced robotic technology, M.A.X. combines Artificial Intelligence (AI) learning and customisable programming to create a one of a kind personal companion. Infrared (IR) Navigation and customisable apps bring M.A.X. to life with almost limitless potential for personalisation and interactivity. It also includes a built-in gaming platform for added fun and is set to take the shops by storm this Autumn.
- A signed set of books from presenter and author, Kjartan Poskitt for all finalists including: The Most Epic Book of Maths, All Shapes and Sizes, The Brain-Bending Basics and The Magic of Maths
- A class trip to Kidzaina for the winning school. Worth £420 KidZania London is an indoor city run by kids! At KidZania, children aged 4 – 14 years can explore more than 60 real-life activities. Spanning across 75,000 sq.ft, KidZania London is a child-size city located in Westfield, Shepherd’s Bush where the kids are in charge! Have your kids ever dreamt of becoming a pilot, a firefighter or the next award winning singer? Role-play has long been a favourite past-time of children through the generations. Watch the excitement on their faces as they try out more than 60 real life role-play activities in the bank, on stage or fighting crime on the streets as a police officer! For more information visit KidZania.co.uk.
- Artline is offering £500 worth of stationery for the winning school. An EK230 Drawing system pen, EK240 Calligraphy pen and Stix Drawing Pen for the winning team.
- A set of Sum Fun games. Sum Fun is a tile game with numbers, but quicker to play than scrabble. Sum Fun is more than a game, it’s also educational. They have been amazed at the fun and stimulation children get from playing around with the tiles.
- The four runner up teams will receive:
- Meccano mid-range runner up prize of the Meccano 25 Model Set
- A family trip for 4 people to Kidzania worth £88
- A set of Sum Fun games.
- Artline, in addition is offering a Class pack of stationery for the finalist schools alongside a Stix Drawing Pen for the finalist children.
- A signed set of books from presenter and author, Kjartan Poskitt for all finalists including: The Most Epic Book of Maths, All Shapes and Sizes, The Brain-Bending Basics and The Magic of Maths
Build 1 of the 25 off-road motorised models, including a truck with the Meccano 25 in 1 Off Road Model; then take it apart and build a different one. After that it’s up to you and your imagination to create a vehicle of your own design! This set really works & comes with over 400 individual parts. Explore the mechanical wonders of the world with The Meccano 25 Model Set 4X4 Truck – Age 8+ and SRP £39.99
Meccano continues to work with builders, creators, visionaries and educators to develop products that inspire the pioneers of the future and has products to suit engineering enthusiasts from ages 5+ to adult.
For more information please visit www.explorelearning.co.uk/youngmathematicians or parents or teachers should contact your local Explore Learning centre for more information on entering.