Pop Maths quiz at Sheffield Hallam University
'Murderous maths' and the numbers behind digital photography were on the agenda at the latest 'Pop Maths' quiz as over 1000 schoolchildren attend an inspirational event to encourage them to enjoy maths.
Pupils from all over South Yorkshire took part in the 14th annual 'Pop Maths' quiz on Saturday 7 March 2009, as part of National Science Week. Students aged 10 to 18 took part in the event, dubbed a 'non alcoholic pub quiz', which is organised by Sheffield Hallam University.
The young mathematicians also got the chance to attend two exciting lectures looking at the stranger side of maths. Murderous Maths author Kjartan Poskitt gave demonstrations of some of the many strange facts, odd numbers, tricks and puzzles that he's written about. And Sheffield Hallam's Dr Jeff Waldock will explain how maths is an essential part of digital photography.
Jeff explains, 'For some people mathematics still has an off-putting image, but the Pop Maths quiz is a great way of showing that maths can be fascinating, challenging and, above all, fun.'
The annual event, run by volunteers from staff and students of the maths department at Sheffield Hallam, sees schools return year after year. Schools from all over the region come to take part in the maths quiz for four different age groups: Y6, Y7-Y9, Y10-Y11, Y12-Y13. Last year over a thousand pupils from 74 schools took part. Schools from as far as Lincolnshire and Warwickshire come to take part every year, as well as schools from all over Yorkshire, Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire. Students taking part in the free event compete by conferring in their teams and submitting answers to questions for calculation. The highest scoring teams from each age group will be the winners.
The next quiz will be held on Saturday 13 March 2010.
Teams must register online. Admission is free but tickets must be obtained in advance. The quiz is usually followed by two guest lectures (to be arranged).
Phtots and results from pop maths quizzes since 1997 can also be found on the popmaths website.
For further information about the quiz e-mail aces-reception@shu.ac.uk or contact Anne-Marie on 0114 225 6737.
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