Base ~ How to do business in the 21st century ~ 16-17 March 2010
ProLogis
The role of maths in climate change science: an opportunity to draw students into STEM and provide new paths for Graduates
Session time slot
  • Session WE3 | Wednesday 17 March | 12:00-12:45
Synopsis
For young people, classroom mathematics may seem to have little to do with their lives and the world in general. What use is maths anyway? It is vital that students are encouraged to study mathematics to provide a mathematically literate workforce for the future. But how can we encourage students to study mathematics?

What personally compelling reason can we offer for them to continue with this and other STEM subjects? What skills can mathematics give them that they will need in tomorrow's workplace?

We will discuss and look for your ideas as to what can best draw students into STEM subjects, and how the specific and transferable skills from mathematics can help STEM graduates in the future workplace. Questions asked in this discussion will include:

What skills are needed in the workforce, and how can studying maths give these to future employees?

What aspects of business illustrate real world applications of mathematics? Can your business inspire students to study mathematics?

The recent Catlin Arctic Survey expedition highlighted the role of mathematics in the Arctic Survey Education material. This was developed in collaboration with Prof Peter Wadhams of the Polar Ocean Physics group at University of Cambridge, and the Millennium Mathematics Project. This provided an ideal opportunity to capture student interest and enthusiasm in climate change and the excitement of polar exploration.
It provides students with realistic applications of their curriculum maths to this area of research.

We will also take a moment to examine the role of these types of projects in making Mathematics more exciting for inspired learning.
Themes
  • Climate change
  • Education
  • Sustainable business
Ms Rachel Thomas
Co-editor
Plus Online, Millennium Mathematics Project
Biography
Rachel Thomas is co-editor of Plus (http://plus.maths.org), a free online magazine that aims to open a door onto the world of mathematics for the general public. Plus produces regular news stories on cutting edge research and the maths behind the mainstream news. Feature articles explore topics ranging from architecture and medicine to space travel and politics, and our podcasts reveal the people behind the mathematics. Plus also has a large careers library of over 50 interviews with people who use maths in their work, ranging from air traffic controller and food scientist to furniture designer and actress. Plus is part of the Millennium Mathematics Project (http://mmp.maths.org
) a non-profit maths education initiative for ages 5 to 19 and the general public.

James Forte will co-moderate this roundtable discussion with Rachel. James is an independent CR and Community Investment professional, specialising in the development and implementation of Corporate Community Investment programmes as well as Corporate Responsibility more generally. He is currently supporting Pen Hadow, Chief Executive Geo Mission, on Corporate Policy and Education Outreach. James worked for many years with KPMG, the major accountancy, audit and advisory firm where, as the firm’s first Director, Social Responsibility he managed the development of the firm’s Community programme and was later appointed the firm’s first Director, Corporate Citizenship, Europe.
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