School of Mathematics and Statistics

SoMaS/FMSP sixth form mathematics courses. These courses comprise of the year 12 advanced problem solving course, the year 13 advanced problem solving course and the STEP preparation course, and are highly popular attracting students from all parts of the region. More information about the courses and their origins are described in the next page. The popularity of the SoMaS/FMSP courses can be gauged by the fact that they have been successfully transplanted in the University of Leicester and the Exeter Mathematics School. SoMaS staff involved in the courses have been Pokman Cheung, James Cranch, Sam Dolan, John Haslegrave, Sam Marsh, Fionntan Roukema, Alan Zinober and Dennis Almeida. Some pictures of the classes in action:

School of Mathematics and Statistics

SoMaS problem solving and STEP support In 2012 the FMSP appointed a South Yorkshire Area Coordinator based in the University of Sheffield, School of Mathematics and Statistics (SoMaS). The Area Coordinator worked in conjunction with the Head of SoMaS in 2012, Professor John Greenlees, to provide material and pedagogic support for the construction of the STEP course and, later, the year 12 and year 13 advanced problems courses. The courses are essentially about developing students’ mathematical understanding and their problem solving skills set. The year 12 course is year long with fortnightly classes at SoMaS. The aim of the classes is to explore in greater depth the topics in the Core 1 and Core 2 mathematics syllabi. Problem solving techniques for unstructured questions (largely at MAT or STEP 1 level) are demonstrated and students spend substantial time working on problems either individually or in groups. Students are given two problems on average to solve and present as homework. All students are given formative feedback. The year 12/13 extension course. This course is for that subset of the year 12 course students who wish to study mathematics at university, in particular at institutions which require MAT or STEP grades for entry. The classes focus on STEP or MAT preparation and so include topics or knowledge beyond the A level syllabus. Classes occur fortnightly in term time, between June and November. The STEP course. This is a structured course which gives students a systematic introduction to the advanced problem solving skills required for the STEP examinations. There are 15 classes covering both pure and applied mathematics topics of the STEP syllabus. Classes are weekly between February and May. As with the year 12 course participating students are given problems to present for formative feedback. A sample of comments from teachers, parents and students is given below: Teacher: “The classes are really firing up these two students, and they were feeding back to my whole further maths class this morning.” Parent: “Just a quick note to say how much Ben (son no. 1) is enjoying the Thursday night STEP course that you are providing. As Ben's school can't provide maths support at this level we had been wondering about what to do when we found out about this course and he comes home every Thursday very fired up. So please pass on a pat on the back to whoever runs it!” Students: “The course has really given me confidence that I didn't have before. When looking at questions that I didn't know how to solve I was very quick to give up before doing the course. I really feel like I've been given a new perspective on problem solving and the benefits that come from struggling through a question independently.” “It was refreshing to be around people that were so passionate about maths, after doing the course I have become very interested in teaching maths in the future.” “I also wanted to say thank you for running the Step class. I have really enjoyed them and think they will prove invaluable for the real exam.”