Turning maths into fun
Launched by Minister for Education, Norma Foley, Maths Week Ireland 2024 takes place from October 12-20. Now in its 19th year, Maths Week is the all-island festival promoting a positive attitude towards maths and its practical applications. This year, Maths Week is inviting people all over the island of Ireland to try out their maths and have fun with numbers, patterns and shapes, which are all around us in everyday life.
Supported by Research Ireland (Taighde Éireann), the Department of Education and AMD, Maths Week is a partnership of higher and further education and other groups concerned with maths. It is co-ordinated by Calmast, the STEM Engagement Centre at South East Technological University.
Last year, Maths Week engaged with over 500,000 people, including pupils from 2,154 schools across the island. The annual initiative helps make maths accessible and engaging for all, regardless of background or level.
The festival serves as a reminder of how integral maths is to everyday life, from daily tasks like managing the family budget, to solving complex challenges in science, technology or business.
Maths Week will bring maths to life with activities for adults, families and schools. ‘Maths in The City’ events in Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Dundalk and Belfast invite the public to participate and play with puzzles, games and magic. Talks and events will be held at venues across the island, with tens of thousands of primary and post-primary pupils engaging in maths quizzes and challenges in schools. ‘Puzzles in the Park’ will take place in green spaces like the Botanic Gardens and parks across the island offering fun activities for families. For those unable to attend in person, there are online activities and resources. ‘Maths Week TV’ will stream daily shows and interactive sessions to schools all over the island.
Minister Foley commented: “Maths Week plays an essential role in encouraging students and everyone to engage with maths, helping them to see its relevance in their everyday lives. By participating in Maths Week, students can develop their mathematical skills in a supportive and enjoyable environment, which is key to their overall academic success.”
Director of Maths Week Ireland, Eoin Gill, highlighted the festival’s role in showcasing the practical side of maths and also allowing people a taste of the exciting maths not taught in schools: “Maths Week is an opportunity to demonstrate that maths is not just an abstract subject, but a vital tool that influences every part of our lives. Maths skills allow us to understand and evaluate data and helps us to become good problem solvers – key skills in today’s world. Maths Week allows us to celebrate maths in a way that’s both fun and educational.”
As the largest festival of its kind in the world, Maths Week continues to foster a nationwide appreciation for maths, reinforcing its significance in education and beyond. The event underscores the value of mathematical skills in driving societal progress and creating opportunities for all.