Wales Institute of Mathematical
and Computational Sciences
Swansea
Mathematics Masterclasses
Programme
2013
http://www.wimcs.ac.uk/schools.html
Welcome to Mathematics Masterclasses in Swansea
_____________________________________________
The Wales Institute of Mathematical and Computational
Sciences (WIMCS) is delighted to welcome you to the
2013 series of Mathematics Masterclasses.
WIMCS and the Royal Institution of Great Britain are
offering six mathematics masterclasses to year 9 pupils
from schools in Swansea, Carmarthenshire and Neath
Port Talbot with the support of the Mathematics
Department, Swansea University, the School of
Education, Swansea Metropolitan University, the Further
Maths Support Programme and the Mathematics
Advisors for Swansea, Carmarthenshire and Neath Port
Talbot.
The masterclasses are aimed at year 9 pupils who have
an aptitude for and a real interest in the art and practice
of mathematics. Through a variety of topics, you will be
given a taste of the nature of mathematical thinking.
Each class will be held on a Saturday morning from
9.40a.m.–12noon in the Spring school term.
Two
university venues will be used, both of which are in
Swansea.
Stephen Williamson
WIMCS Administrator
Timetable:
SATURDAYS 9.40 a.m. – 12 noon
Venue:
School of Education, Townhill Campus,
Swansea Metropolitan University.
Main Lecture Theatre, Main Teaching Block K,
19th January
Session 1 - Randomness. Session 2
- Practical problem solving and
other interesting things with paper!
Phillip Mackie & Theresa Hendy,
Swansea College
26th January
The Golden Ratio
Elaine Crooks,
Swansea University
2nd February
Special Relativity
Andrews Neate,
Swansea University
Venue:
Swansea University
Faraday Lecture Theatre, Faraday Tower
23rd February An Investigation into Routing
Problems
Stewart Powell, Technocamps
2nd March
Maths is Fun!
Chris Budd and Young Mathematicians
from Bath University
9th March
The 4th Dimension and Beyond
Jeffrey Giansiracusa
More information on each class
19th January 2013
Session 1-Randomness.
Although the concept of randomness is ubiquitous, we are generally very
poor at both recognizing and producing random sequences. I will be
looking at attempts to capture randomness - via the National Lottery &
the iPod shuffle feature - and the mathematical (and psychological)
problems associated with these approaches.
Session 2-Practical problem solving and other interesting things
with paper!
Practical problem solving and other interesting things with paper!
26th January 2013
The Golden Ratio
Are some rectangles particularly `”nice"? Many people think that a
rectangle is `”just right" when the ratio of the short side to the long side
equals a number called the `”Golden Ratio". This is a very special
number. In this session, we will explore some of its fascinating
mathematical properties, and also show you how it crops up all over
nature and art - from snail shells to rabbit breeding to architecture!
2nd February 2013
Special Relativity
Nearly everyone has heard of Einstein and his theory of Special
Relativity and the idea that light travels at a constant speed (the speed of
light). But where did this theory come from and what are its
consequences?
We will first investigate the concept of relativity which actually dates back
to the work of Galileo in 1632 and then look at what makes Einstein's
theory of "special" relativity so different. We will show how the simple
assumption that light moves at a constant speed leads to some
extraordinary mathematical conclusions. Hopefully by the end you will
be convinced that you can fit a 10m long ladder into a 5m long garage,
that you can speed up or slow down time and that the universe is far
more complicated and interesting than you imagined...
23rd February 2013
An Investigation into Routing Problems
There are several well known problems which involve routing through a
graph, and many of these problems we need to solve on a regular basis.
Imagine you are going on a car journey from Swansea to Bangor and
want to find the shortest route by navigating through the directly
connected cities. This is one concrete example of the problem called the
shortest path problem and was first solved by Edsger Dijkstra 1956.
Another well-known routing problem is called the Travelling Salesman
problem and occurs when you want to find the shortest route between
several directly connected cities while ensuring that you visit every city at
least once. However is it possible to find a "quick" solution to the
Travelling Salesman problem?
2nd March 2013
Maths Fun Workshop
A group of mathematics Undergraduate students from Bath University
will show us how Mathematics can be great fun!
9th March 2013
The 4th Dimension and Beyond
The world we perceive is 3 dimensional. However, some theoretical
physicists think the world might have hidden extra dimension. What
does this mean? What would 4 dimensional objects look like to us?
Could there be a world of 2 dimensional beings and how would they
perceive us? In this masterclass we will explore various ways of thinking
about extra dimensions using geometry, games, and numbers.
Please note we may need to change the programme if presenters are ill
or severe weather prevents them from reaching the venue.
Please bring with you to each class:
 Notebook
 Ball-point pens/pencils
(with at least 2 different colours).
 Geometrical instruments:
 ruler
 compasses
 protractor.
 Scientific calculator
Contact Information:
Masterclass arrangements:
Sofya Lyakhova
Area Co-Ordinator FMSP Wales
Wales Institute of Mathematical and Computational
Sciences
Tel: 01792 602793
Email: acfmspwales@wimcs.ac.uk
Web: www.wimcs.ac.uk
http://www.furthermaths.org.uk/
Swansea Metropolitan University
Main switchboard: Tel: 01792 481000
Swansea University
Mathematics Department: Tel: 01792 295459