NRICH
The grant recipient
The Millennium Mathematics Project (MMP) at the University of Cambridge provides stimulating and alternative maths outreach activities – including: NRICH roadshows, virtual lectures and e-mentoring from Cambridge students.
In 2005 the project won the Queen's Anniversary Prize in recognition of outstanding achievement, excellence, innovation and originality at world-class level in UK universities and colleges.
The Enriching Mathematics: Helping All Students to SHINE programme
What it aims to do
- run challenging and innovative maths workshops for gifted students in inner-city London
- raise enjoyment, understanding and achievement in maths
- increase aspirations for higher education
How it works
Groups of up to 40 students attend workshops:
- using NRICH materials to stimulate creativity and confidence in maths
- led jointly by University lecturers and local teachers
- supported by Cambridge students
The project was piloted in Hackney and was run in Lambeth for year 8 students. It currently takes place in Tower Hamlets for year 10 students.
Results
An independent evaluation of this project is looking at:
- performance in school – using exam data, teacher assessment and questionnaires
- relationships with maths – using questionnaires
- problem-solving skills in mathematically complex and sophisticated tasks – using observations
The funding and replication
We are delighted that the Lehman Brothers Foundation Europe (http://www.lehman.com/who/philanthropy/) is the partner sponsor for this project in Tower Hamlets. SHINE grants have funded delivery costs for the trial and demonstration phases of this project and a comprehensive evaluation that will be used to look at if and how the project could be rolled out.
Funding: £217,922 to the University of Cambridge and London schools, over six years (2002-08)
Visit the NRICH website:
"Coming here made me want to do maths more and I began to like it again."
NRICH Student
"The way they teach you is different because they challenge you a lot more."
NRICH Student
"You have to think quite hard and work as a group."
NRICH Student
"The greatest benefit I've gained is that I've worked alongside these people from Cambridge... it revives the enthusiasm for what maths is all about, and the real richness of it."
NRICH Teacher, Tower Hamlets
"My greatest pleasure was seeing (for the first time) school pupils actually enjoying mathematics."
Student, University of Cambridge
"I will be using this project as an exemplar."
Manager, Tower Hamlets Education Authority
"A first class enrichment opportunity for the students."
Gifted and Talented Team, DfES
Quotes
"Coming here made me want to do maths more and I began to like it again."
NRICH Student
"The way they teach you is different because they challenge you a lot more."
NRICH Student
"You have to think quite hard and work as a group."
NRICH Student
"The greatest benefit I've gained is that I've worked alongside these people from Cambridge... it revives the enthusiasm for what maths is all about, and the real richness of it."
NRICH Teacher, Tower Hamlets
"My greatest pleasure was seeing (for the first time) school pupils actually enjoying mathematics."
Student, University of Cambridge
"I will be using this project as an exemplar."
Manager, Tower Hamlets Education Authority
"A first class enrichment opportunity for the students."
Gifted and Talented Team, DfES