Maths Week Scotland launched

A week-long celebration of maths and numeracy has been launched in nurseries, schools, universities and workplaces across Scotland as part of the first ever Maths Week.

The week will play a key role in the Scottish Government’s drive to encourage more positive attitudes towards numeracy and maths, with events hosted around the country for all age groups focused on the importance and relevance of the subject to everyday activities.

It also marks the launch of the Deputy First Minister’s Maths Challenge, developed in partnership with the Scottish Mathematical Council, which will see a series of questions posed over the course of the week, and a brand new Maths Challenge for school pupils during school holidays.

During a visit to Garnetbank Primary in Glasgow to join in Maths Week activities planned by the school, Deputy First Minister John Swinney said:

“Maths is a vital skill for everyone to use and enjoy, and it underpins many aspects of daily life. Excellence in maths and numeracy attainment is central to the ambitions of this government to keep improving the education of our children and young people, and to close the poverty-related attainment gap. 

“The importance of science, technology and engineering to our society is increasing and, as set out in our Programme for Government, we want Scotland to be a leader in digital, high tech and low carbon innovation - maths skills, confidence and initiative are absolutely central to that aspiration.

“The level of engagement we have had from across the country already for all ages and all sectors of society is fantastic. I encourage people to get involved and also join in with the maths challenges I will be posing this week.”

Executive Director of Education at Glasgow City Council and Chair of the Making Maths Count group, Maureen McKenna, said: “I want everyone to be as passionate about maths as I am and to realise that we use maths in just about everything that we do.

“This special week is the chance for children, young people, schools, teachers and adults to showcase their creative and innovative ways of making maths count!”

Background

Maths Week Scotland will run from 11 to 17 September and a list of events and resources are available on the Scottish Government website.

Details on the DFM’s Maths Challenge will be available on the Making Maths Count blog.