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Hundreds of pupils from across the region have discovered that maths can be fun during ‘Maths in the Mall’ at Metrocentre.

Over 20 Schools from across the region visited Metrocentre to take part in the event including St Mary’s RC Primary from Whickham, Gosforth Park First School, Newcastle and Falla Park Community Primary, Gateshead.

 
Created by Dr Maths aka Steve Humble, the ‘Maths Trail’ tested pupils maths skills with a series of mathematical puzzles at various points throughout Metrocentre challenging the children to identify mathematical shapes, count materials and solve real life maths problems using special ‘Metrounits’.

BALTIC artist Alison Unsworth worked with children as part of the trail to create a giant mosaic piece of art from coloured squares in MetroCentre’s Town Square. Hundreds of coloured squares were added to the grid by pupils as they solved the mathematical formulas, and piece by piece an image gradually took shape.

The completed image was revealed as a portrait of a young woman (pictured above)as the last of the groups added the final squares. Alison commented “The pupils have been very enthusiastic about the project and worked extremely hard to solve the puzzles and sums to get the colours in the right place.”

Along the trail children watched Magician Martin Duffy perform his mathematical tricks, and helpers from Durham and Newcastle University were on hand to offer guidance to both pupils and teachers. The event took pupils out of the classroom to show children that learning maths can be fun, and helped them to discover how the maths skills they learn can be applied in the real world.

Gillian Taylor, Deputy Head at Gosforth Park First School said “The children had a fantastic time at Metrocentre on the ‘Maths Trail’, they were able to use their maths skills outside of the classroom in various fun activities. “The maths magician amazed the children, and adults, with his tricks and Dr Maths left us with some maths puzzles and problems that we will try to solve back in the classroom”.

Harshith Chakka age 8 said “I especially enjoyed watching the maths magician, he did a trick with fractions which I am going to try at home”, and James Corfield aged 8 said “I enjoyed the Maths Trail, I hadn’t noticed that there were so many octagons in the ceiling of Metrocentre”.

In total 1001 pupils completed the ‘Maths Trail’ at Metrocentre during the three day event which ended today. Organiser Steve Humble commented, "Learning maths outside the classroom is not enrichment; it is at the core of empowering children's understanding".