Outreach
The School of Mathematics is committed not only to doing great new research, but also to telling people about it.
We have a talented team of staff and students who work hard to communicate their love of mathematics to the wider community. Sometimes this is through talks or school masterclasses; sometimes it involves doing exhibitions at science festivals or visiting local schools. Whatever the medium, our goal is to show people that maths is a beautiful, elegant and creative subject that underpins much of modern society.
On this website you can find out more about the events that we organise for the public and for schools, as well as some digital resources we have produced for schools and individuals. Below you can find a list of our upcoming events.
Upcoming and Recent Events
Saturday 7th October 11:00pm: Discover Edinburgh's Mathematical History- Walking Tour
Join our students on a walk along the Royal Mile. Hear and see the mathematical delights hidden in Edinburgh's city centre. Along the way uncover some of the secret history of Edinburgh, discover some highlights of mathematics developed over the past two thousand years and try your hand at some intriguing puzzles and games. The tour is FREE to attend but booking is required. For further details and to book a space click on the link below:
Saturday 30th September- 1:00pm-4:00pm- Edinburgh Maths Circle- James Clerk Maxwell Building
This is a free drop-in session where children aged 5-16 and their family can have a go at puzzles and stimulating mathematical activities. Participants get a chance to join University staff and students for an afternoon of Maths… and fun. If you like Maths you will find food for your thoughts at our Maths Circles. If you do not like Maths, then we hope our fun activities will change your mind. Our Maths Circles are entirely free, no booking is required and you will be able to stay as long or as little as you like. Further information can be found at:
https://www.maths.ed.ac.uk/school-of-mathematics/outreach/maths-circle
Wednesday 27th September- 5:15pm-7:45pm: Celebrate Mathematics with the University of Edinburgh (workshop for all teachers and educators)- James Clerk Maxwell Building
This evening workshop will celebrate the creative and fun side of Mathematics. Participants will get hands-on and try a variety of stimulating mathematical activities; they will be able to have a look at the resources the University of Edinburgh can offer to schools and communities; they will also get a chance to hear about research carried out at the School of Mathematics. The event is free but booking is required. This event is part of our Maths Week Scotland program. For further information and to book a space, please visit click on the link below:
Saturday 23rd September- 10:00am- 4:00pm: Maths in Motion- from Experiments to Proofs- James Clerk Maxwell Building
How can you construct a self-supporting bridge? Does the height of the British population follow a specific pattern? Can you cross all bridges in a given city without backtracking? Come and join us at the School of Mathematics, meet University staff and students and find out how mathematicians would answer such questions. This event is part of both the University Doors Open Day and Maths Week Scotland. Attendance is free and no booking is required. You can just drop in and stay as little or as long as you wish.
Wednesday 20th September 4:30pm-6:00pm- Maths Circles and open-ended problems (online workshop for teachers and educators)
During this online workshop, aimed at both primary and secondary teachers and all educators with an interest in Mathematics, we will give a brief introduction to our Maths Circles and then explore some of the resources we use. We will also dicuss how such resources can be used in the classroom and can spark curiosity and help children develop their mathematical thinking.
The event is free to attend but booking is required. For further information and to book a space please visit the link below:
23rd and 26th August 2023- Cabaret of Dangerous ideas
This year at the Edinburgh Fringe you will be able to learn more about cutting edge research conducted at the School of Mathematics, through interactive (and comic) shows. In particular, our researchers will be involved in two shows on different days, discussing very relevant and fascinating topics - how to use energy more efficiently, and Black Holes.
The shows are ticketed and booking is required. For further information and to book tickets to either of the shows, please click on the relevant link below.
- Cabaret of Dangerous Ideas: Transition to Net Zero?
- Cabaret of Dangerous Ideas: Black Holes
This is part of the Cabaret of Dangerous Ideas program.
Saturday 10th June 10:00am-12:30pm- Online Maths Circle (for children aged 7 to 14 and their family)-James Clerk Maxwell Building
Even though our in-person events are back, we have not forgotten those who live far away from Edinburgh, or those who are not able or prefer not to attend in-person events. Our online Maths Circle is a one hour long live workshop where children can join University of Edinburgh staff and students as we approach together a selection of stimulating and fun mathematical activities. The event will consist of two slots: one for 7-11 years old and one for 11-14 years old. Both sessions are free but booking is required. Further information and a link to the booking pages can be found at:
https://www.maths.ed.ac.uk/school-of-mathematics/outreach/maths-circle
Tuesday 3rd April- Friday 7th April at the National Museum of Scotland: Discover our Science
Between the 3rd and the 7th April we will be at the National Museum of Scotland contributing to the University of Edinburgh Discover our Science program, as part of the Edinburgh Science Festival. Our activities will come under the title: "Maths: from Experimenting to Proving". Through bespoke hands-on props and engaging strategy games, visitors will get an insight into the world of mathematics and the mind of a mathematician. They will grasp the whole process of experimenting, making a conjecture, testing their conjecture, and proving to be right. Together we will explore how this process underpins innovations in Science, Technology and Engineering. Students and staff from the School of Mathematics will be at hand to guide visitors, discuss their research, and ultimately reveal what being a mathematician really means. The session is free and no booking is required. Further information about location and timings can be found at:
https://www.sciencefestival.co.uk/event-details/discover-our-science
Please note that the School of Mathematics will only oparticipate in the event during the first week (Tuesday 3rd to Friday 7th April).
The Mathematics Showdown: 3rd April
Five mathematicians – five ideas to change the world! We pulled five young mathematical researchers from the University of Edinburgh and Heriot-Watt University out of their comfort zone and set them up with local stand-up comedian Susan Morrison. Who can explain their research best? Who can turn complicated calculations into comedy gold? And most importantly: whose proof will change the world? You decide at the Edinburgh Mathematics Showdown! This event has been organised in collaboration with ICMS and Heriot-Watt University. For further information and to book a ticket please visit:
https://www.sciencefestival.co.uk/event-details/the-mathematics-showdown
Online module: Statistics: Unlocking the World of Data
The seventh edition of our MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) was live in the period January 2023-March 2023.
This course introduces some of the key ideas and concepts of statistics, the discipline that allows us to analyse and interpret the data that underpins modern society. In the course, you will explore the key principles of statistics, using interactive apps, and you will learn to interpret and evaluate the data you encounter in everyday life. No previous knowledge of statistics is required, although familiarity with secondary school mathematics is advisable.
A new edition of the course will most probably go live in January 2024.
Ongoing: Discover Edinburgh's Mathematical History- a self-paced walking tour
From Thomas Bayes through James Clerk Maxwell to Mary Somerville, explore the mathematical delights hidden in Edinburgh's city centre. Along the way, uncover some of the secret history of Edinburgh, discover some highlights of mathematics developed over the past two thousand years, and try your hand at some intriguing puzzles and games. Visit the tour's webpage to start exploring.
Ongoing: Maths in the Kitchen- Dundee Science Centre Home Learning program
We have contributed to the Dundee Science Centre Home Learning program, with some activities focused on "Maths in the Kitchen". Click here to take a journey into the world of shapes and symmetries, and explore why our pies and pizzas are round.
Ongoing: Edinburgh Science Festival 2020 (Online program)
Our contribution to the Edinburgh Science Festival online program in 2020 is still accessible.
Explore our activities and resources, and find out how Maths underpins many aspects of our lives, and how we use it in many contexts, much more often than we think.