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
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 timengs 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
Discover Edinburgh's Mathematical History: 15th and 16th April
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. Booking for this event is required. For futher information and to book a space visit: https://www.sciencefestival.co.uk/event-details/discover-edinburghs-mathematical-history
Saturday 4th March- 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. Join University staff and students for an afternoon of Maths… and fun. If you like Maths you will find food for your thoughts. If you do not like Maths, then we hope our fun activities will change your mind. The event is 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
Saturday 4th March- 10:30-14:00: Learn how to run a Maths Circle (workshop for teachers and educators)
Our most popular workshop for educators is again in person for the first time since 2020. During this workshop we will give a brief introduction to our Maths Circles and then explore together some of the resources we use. The event is free but booking is required. Please click on the link below for further details and to book a space:
Saturday 28th January 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
Online module: Statistics: Unlocking the World of Data
The seventh edition of our MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) will go live on the 10th January 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.
For further information and to enrol please visit the MOOC Landing Page .
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.
Saturday 19th November- 1:00pm-4:00pm- Edinburgh Maths Circle- James Clerk Maxwell Building
Given the success of our in-person Maths Circle in October (the first since the pandemic) we have decided to run the event again in November. Our in-person Maths Circle is a free drop-in session where children aged 5-16 and their family can have a go at puzzles and stimulating mathematical activities. Join University staff and students for an afternoon of Maths… and fun. If you like Maths you will find food for your thoughts. If you do not like Maths, then we hope our fun activities will change your mind. The event is 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
Saturday 1st October- 1:00pm-4:00pm- Edinburgh Maths Circle- James Clerk Maxwell Building
For the first time after 2020, the Edinburgh Maths Circle is running again as an in-person event. 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. Join University staff and students for an afternoon of Maths… and fun. This will be a very special Maths Circle, and will be part of our Maths Week program. During the event participants will also be able to visit our exhibit entitled "Geometry, Art and Mind". The event is 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
Saturday 1st October- 12:00pm-4:30pm- Geometry, Art and Mind- James Clerk Maxwell Building
If you have missed our exhibit on the 24th September at the museum, then no need to worry because we will exhibit the material again on the 1st of October at James Clerk Maxwell Building (University of Edinburgh).
This small exhibit brings the creativity and precision of mathematics to the general public, using computer-aided design, recent innovations in 3D printing, and bright lights! Join University of Edinburgh staff and students, play with the idea of dimension, projections, polygon, and tiling, find out about mind-blowing optical illusions. Together we will explore crossover between geometry and art, and how our brain may have a distorted perception of the objects around us.
Admission is free and no booking is required. Further information on how to find the building can be found on the page how to find us.
Tuesday 27th and Wednesday 28th September- 6:00pm- 7:00pm- Online Maths Circle (for children aged 7 to 14 and their family)
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 Maths Circle on Tuesday 27th September will be aimed at 7-11 years old, while the one on Wednesday 28th September will be aimed at 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
Saturday 24th September- 10:30am-4:30pm- Geometry, Art and Mind- National Museum of Scotland
This small exhibit brings the creativity and precision of mathematics to the general public, using computer-aided design, recent innovations in 3D printing, and bright lights! Join University of Edinburgh staff and students at the National Museum of Scotland, play with the idea of dimension, projections, polygon, and tiling, find out about mind-blowing optical illusions. Together we will explore crossover between geometry and art, and how our brain may have a distorted perception of the objects around us. The event is free and no booking is required. You will be able to stay as long or as little as you like.
Friday 23rd September- 5:00pm- 7:30pm: Celebrate Mathematics with the University of Edinburgh (workshop for all teachers and educators)- James Clerk Maxwell Building
After two years of pandemic, we are pleased to invite again all teachers and educators for an evening workshop and reception where we celebrate the beauty and breadth of Mathematics. You will get hands-on, try a variety of stimulating mathematical activities and find out what resources the University of Edinburgh can offer to schools and communities. Hopefully you will find some ideas to take to your classroom. You will hear from staff members about their research and, overall, you will have a chance to celebrate the creative and fun side of Mathematics. Light refreshments will be provided after the event.
The event is free to attend but registration is required. To book a space please click on the link below:
Thursday 15th September- 5:00pm-6:30pm: Maths Circles and Open Ended problems (online workshop for secondary Maths teachers)
This workshop will be similar to the above one, but we will focus on resources suitable for secondary school pupils. We will give a brief introduction to our Maths Circles and then explore some of the resources we use. We will also discuss how such resources can be used in the classroom and can spark curiosity and help children develop their mathematical thinking. The event is free but booking is required. Please follow the link below to book a space.
Tuesday 13th September- 5:00pm-6:30pm: Maths Circles and Open Ended problems (online workshop for primary teachers and educators)
During this online workshop aimed at primary teachers and educators, we will give a brief introduction to our Maths Circles and then explore some of the resources we use. We will also discuss how such resources can be used in the classroom and can spark curiosity and help children develop their mathematical thinking. The event is free but booking is required. Please click on the link below to book a space: