Our Events
Every year, the School of Mathematics organises and takes part in a wide range of outreach events, both in person and online. Through talks, workshops, exhibits and hands-on activities, we strive to share our passion for Mathematics with the community, beyond geographical boundaries. Find out more about the types of events we're involved in here.
Looking for a list of our upcoming events? See our homepage. If you'd like to keep up to date with upcoming maths events happening in and around Edinburgh then please sign up to our mailing list.
The Edinburgh Maths Circle is an opportunity for children aged 5 to 16 and their families to join us for an afternoon of fun and stimulating hands-on mathematics. For next year, we are planning to host both in person and online Maths Circles so that we are able to accommodate different needs. Find out more on the Maths Circle webpage.
Every spring, Scotland's capital is host to a fortnight of inspiring science and technology events at the Edinburgh International Science Festival. No matter what your age or science background is, you'll find something at the festival to keep you entertained. It might be a talk by a famous scientist, one of the many exhibitions hosted around the city, a guided walk, or an opportunity to get your hands dirty with some real experiments.
At the National Museum of Scotland on Chambers Street, members of the School of Mathematics' Outreach Team will join other scientists from the University to show off what it is that makes their subject great, with hands-on exhibits and enthusiastic student volunteers to guide people through the science.
Our activities in 2022
Our activities in 2022 took place between the 9th and the 13th April, and were grouped under the title "Circles in maths, nature… and everyday life". Through bespoke hands-on activities we explored how the geometry of the circle has impacted many discoveries and still underpins some of our everyday actions, like drawing a map, or using coins. We challenged our own idea of roundness and learnt how a misunderstanding of shape can lead to catastrophic disasters, such as the destruction of the NASA Challenger shuttle. Students and staff from the School of Mathematics were at hand to guide visitors, discuss their research, and ultimately reveal what being a mathematician really means.
Did you miss the Edinburgh International Science Festival? There are now nearly 20 science festivals running across Scotland, so there's bound to be one near you coming up.
Maths Week Scotland is a Scottish government initiative, aimed at showing the beauty and creativity of Mathematics all around the country. Each year we take part in this great initiative through different exciting activities, aimed at both children and adults. This year Maths Week will be celebrated in the period 26th September-2nd October. To find out about our program for Maths Week 2022, please visit our dedicated page.
In May 2017 The Mathematics Outreach Team contributed to the delivery of the very unique and successful exhibit "Brilliant Geometry". Fruit of a collaboration between the University of Edinburgh, Warwick University, and Oklahoma State University, this exhibit brought together elements of art, geometry, animation and and 3D-printing.
What has maths got to do with knitting or origami, creating pop up sculptures or baking? Please contact us if you want to find out. If we get enough demand, we may organise an ad hoc workshop. Whether you want to make a Möbius strip scarf, an origami hyperbolic plane or some nice pop up sculptures, we've got something for you.