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Two cultures add up to a learning experience – University of Reading

University of Reading students are helping young people see maths as an exciting subject – and giving them a taste of Asian culture – with a Citizenship Education Day at a local school. Four undergraduate students from the Mathematics Department are visiting Calthorpe Park School, in Fleet, to work with Year 10 students as part of a special day focusing on Asian culture and the contribution it has made to the modern world and mathematics. The teenagers will look at Vedic mathematics and explore Islamic geometry by putting their imaginations to the test and drawing Islamic geometric patterns. They will also be doing matchstick puzzles to help develop their problem-solving and lateral thinking skills. Mrs Vana Lansdale, Assistant Head Teacher at the school, came up with the theme for the day but the undergraduate students, working with the University's Widening Participation (WP) Office, developed the workshops. Mohammed Ansar, WP Co-ordinator for Science at the University said: 'It is important that our undergraduate students support young people in schools with subjects such as maths. 'The school pupils benefit from working with university students and learning about maths from a different angle. Also, the undergraduates improve their own communication and problem-solving skills whilst getting the opportunity to talk about a subject they enjoy.' The University's WP Office works with school pupils to raise aspirations, commitment to education and achievement levels for students from non-traditional backgrounds in Berkshire and surrounding areas. Undergraduates taking part in the day are from the 'mathemagicians' initiative, jointly run by the WP Office and the Mathematics Department. These students go to local schools with 'magic number' shows to highlight the fun and exciting elements of maths. end Notes for editors: The workshops are taking place at Calthorpe Park School, Fleet, on Tuesday 18 November from 9am to 2.30pm. For more information contact Mohammed Ansar on (0118) 378 6127 or e-mail: m.ansar@reading.ac.uk