Our Events
Every year, the School of Mathematics organises and takes part in a wide range of outreach events, from talks and workshops to exhibitions and hands-on activities. Due to the outbreak of COVID 19 we are not running any face to face events at the moment. However, we are planning a range of online events, so that we can keep sharing 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
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. Before the outbreak of COVID 19 Maths Circles used to take place twice per semester at the School of Mathematics. Over the coming months we will host a range of "Online Maths Circle", so that you can keep engaging with our fantastic Maths problems from your homes. 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.
We are pleased to say that this year we will again contribute in person activities to the festival. This will be our first face-to-face activity since March 2020.
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 this year will take place between the 9th and the 13th April, and will be grouped under the title "Circles in maths, nature… and everyday life". Through bespoke hands-on activities you will find out 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. You will challenge your own idea of roundness and learn 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 will guide you, 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.
Doors Open Days give you free access to hundreds of fascinating buildings across Scotland. One weekend in September you can explore places that are normally closed to the public. Some open up once a year, some just once in a lifetime. On this occasion, the University of Edinburgh's King's Buildings, home of the School of Mathematics, opens its doors (either physically or virtually) and hosts a range of exciting hands-on activities, from exhibitions and talks to walking tours and live experiments.
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.