Explorathon 2020 More Than 1+1: Supporting Highly Able Maths Minds In The Classroom

The Scottish Network for Able Pupils and the TILE Network are delighted to host a webinar as part of the European Researcher’s Night. Bringing together experts from Scotland, Sweden and Germany we will explore how we can support highly able mathematicians in our classrooms. This webinar will be of interest to teachers, student teachers, policy makers, parents, authority personnel and all who have an interest in mathematics.

We will use the hashtag #HighlyAbleMathsMinds for this event.

Webinar Schedule:

• 4.00-4.15pm: Introduction | Margaret Sutherland, SNAP, University of Glasgow, UK
• 4.15-4.30pm: How To Foster Mathematically Gifted Students In Times Of Corona | Prof Marianna Nolte, University of Hamburg, Germany
• 4.30-4.45pm: Supporting Mathematically Highly Able Students in Sweden | Dr Elisabet Mellroth, Karlstad Municipality, Sweden
• 4.45-5.00pm: Dr Andrew Wilson, University of Glasgow, UK
• 5.00-5.30pm: Questions and Answers

Talks:

How To Foster Mathematically Gifted Students In Times Of Corona | Prof Dr Marianne Nolte

At the University of Hamburg we work with mathematically gifted students starting with third graders up to 9th graders. The students get one problem which is complex and challenging. But, no more than the usual acquired knowledge is necessary to work on the problem. One session takes 90 minutes. Since midst of March we stopped presence sessions. We offered correspondence circles and have since August switched to digital sessions. In this talk I will present our observations and give a short impression about the reactions of students and parents.

Supporting Mathematically Highly Able Students In Sweden | Dr Elisabet Mellroth

It has been a tradition in Sweden for very long to focus on helping each student reach the passing level in school, little if any focus has been given to those who learn with ease, that is the highly able students. The consequences have been that children who learn mathematics easily often has been forced to redo mathematics over and over again or being offered next level without any chances of getting grades. For the student this causes a lot of frustration and in the worst cases self-destructive behavior and/or dropping out from school. When students with high ability in mathematics are offered structured support with a long-term plan and when they are given opportunities to work with likeminded it means a lot for their knowledge development as well for their social development. In 2015 the Swedish National agency of education released a support material for teaching highly able students. Since than some municipalities have started to work on developing strategies of how to meet their highly able students. In my talk I will give examples of the newly released strategy plan from Stockholm City, the largest municipality in Sweden.

Just Harder Sums? Challenges In Conceptions Of The Mathematical Sciences And Transitions To University-Level Studies | Dr Andrew Wilson

At a time of global change, mathematical sciences occupy an increasingly central role – both overtly and covertly – in shaping and guiding our lives. They are social, creative, living and breathing subjects from which all of society benefits, oftentimes inadvertently. However, this understanding is frequently absent in students as they transition into Higher Education. This presentation will share insights on the common challenges we encounter, together with an initiative designed to connect children and young people with this realisation. In our transdisciplinary photo competition, we provide a framework to identify, consider and celebrate the maths surrounding us: the maths inside. Fostering curiosity, creativity, and creating opportunity for participants to embark on a journey of discovery towards making deeper mathematical connections, this project is especially well matched to the needs of those with highly able minds.