The Wales Institute of Mathematical and Computational Sciences (WIMCS) has received further funding from the Welsh Government through the National Science Academy (NSA) to enable the subsidised delivery of its Roadshow ‘Maths Apps’. Working with our main partner Science Made Simple, WIMCS aims to present the Roadshow at 32 Secondary Schools across Wales in 2014.

The 50 minute ‘Maths Apps’ Careers Roadshow was developed with our partners Science Made Simple with EPSRC funding. It is Wales centric and focuses on 5 individuals working in Wales and the jobs they do. In filmed interviews they explain why Maths is important to their work, and the Science Made Simple Roadshow Presenter reinforces the Maths messages in interactive demonstrations that use practical applications of Maths. The jobs are wide-ranging – from running one’s own business, to sports science, to hospital radiology, to developing computer games, to vehicle design.

At a time when the economy needs more qualified young people to pursue careers in scientific, technological and computational areas WIMCS and its partners are convinced that these kinds of initiative are essential. Most people use Maths in their jobs, often without realising it, and Maths is a key part of all scientific careers. It is hoped that the recipe of combining a little bit of Maths fun with some insights into how Maths is used in jobs will encourage students in their Mathematical studies.

The ‘Maths Apps’ show has received very positive feedback and excellent reviews.

Students’ comments include:

• It shows how useful maths is for the future.
• It was fun and informative. Took the subject out of the classroom in a very successful manner. Brilliant!
• Maths is very important and involved in nearly every job
• It’s made me more interested in Maths because I realise that things I want to do when I’m older include Maths
• I realised how important Maths is. I would recommend it to people who hate Maths.

 An Independent Evaluator’s Report is available from WIMCS.

The target audience is year 8s and 9s, and schools are invited to apply by contacting Science Made Simple on 02920 876884 as soon as possible, as demand is likely to exceed availability. 

NB: The picture shows a school boy having his weight measured using a forceplate as he jumps and lands again, and the ‘graphed’ results are displayed!

• The Wales Institute of Mathematical and Computational Sciences (WIMCS) is a collaborative partnership of the universities of Aberystwyth, Bangor, Cardiff, South Wales and Swansea.  It has been set up by the Welsh Government through the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales. WIMCS aims to enhance the standing of mathematics and computation in Wales, to foster links with industry, commerce and business, to generate substantial research funding and to provide a forum for education and public awareness of the Mathematical Sciences.
  
  
• Science Made Simple is a Cardiff University based company. Their mission is to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers, make STEM part of popular culture and build bridges between researchers and public. They do this through a range of exciting science and engineering shows (www.sciencemadesimple.co.uk).
  
  
• The  National Science Academy (NSA) was established in 2010 by Welsh Ministers to  promote  and  deliver  the  take-up  of  science,  technology,  engineering and mathematics  (STEM)  subjects  at  all  levels  to  ensure  Wales has a continuous pipeline of  people  graduating  from  colleges and  universities with STEM-related qualifications and skills.  (wales.gov.uk/topics/businessandeconomy/csaw/nsa/?lang=en).
  
  
• The Higher Education Funding Council for Wales (HEFCW) is funded by the Welsh Government to distribute funding for higher education in Wales (http://www.hefcw.ac.uk/).
  
  
• Swansea University is a world-class research-led university located in beautiful parkland with views across Swansea Bay close to the Gower Peninsula, the UK’s first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The University was established in 1920 and currently offers around 350 undergraduate courses and 100 post-graduate courses to 14,500 undergraduate and postgraduate students. By September 2015, the University will have a new 65 acre Bay Campus to complement an upgraded Singleton Park Campus.  Visit www.swansea.ac.uk. Swansea University is a registered charity. No. 1138342.
  
  
• For more information please contact the WIMCS administrator on 01792 602854 or by email administrator@wimcs.ac.uk.