Christmas Maths Challenge

Primary pupils across Scotland will receive a series of festive-themed maths puzzles to take home for the school holiday as part of a drive to encourage more positive attitudes towards numeracy and maths

The five puzzles are aimed at Primary Six pupils and their families to complete over the holidays as a fun way of exploring maths outside the classroom.  

Deputy First Minister John Swinney launched the Christmas Maths Challenge, created in partnership with the Scottish Mathematical Council, at Towerbank Primary School in Portobello, and said:

“Excellence in maths and numeracy is absolutely central to the ambitions of this government. Improving education is our number one priority and our commitment to that aim was demonstrated in last week’s draft budget with £179 million of investment to help close the attainment gap.

“We want to continue building on the enthusiasm and innovation we saw across Scotland during this year’s first ever Maths Week Scotland, in September.

“These school holiday challenges are part of a range of maths activities and events over the course of the year to help create a maths-positive nation where maths skills and confidence are valued, supported and celebrated across society.”

Background

You can access the Christmas Maths Challenge on the Making Maths Count blog. The solutions and workings for the Challenge will be published on 4 January, 2018. 

Maths Week Scotland 2018 will run from 10 to 16 September.