Primary Masterclass Maths

It has been recognised for some considerable time that educational programmes for gifted and talented children are dominated by those from the higher socio-economic groups (47%) and that fewer than 9% come from families in the two lower socio-economic quintiles. There are, of course, other underrepresented groups (ethnic minorities, children from rural areas and inner cities, migrants). A small-scale research project has been undertaken in Australia which explores the experiences and engagement of a group of gifted lower secondary school students in a rural area and following a STEM programme designed around a local rural model which is using local knowledge as a means of developing scientific knowledge and understanding (Morris, Julia, Slater, Eileen, Fitzgerald, Michael T, Lummis, Geoffrey W, Van Etten, Eddie, Using Local Rural Knowledge to Enhance STEM Learning for Gifted and Talented Students in Australia, Research in Science Education [2019]) The Royal Institution of Great Britain has attempted to address some of these inequalities by providing “Masterclass” programmes in a range of STEM subjects. In conjunction with The Royal Academy of Engineering and Ulster University, the first primary Masterclass Maths event ever held on the island of Ireland took place between January and June 2019. Six primary schools each sent six pupils to a host secondary school. The pupils had been selected by standardised test and teacher observation. The pupils were accompanied by members of teaching staff for whom this was part of their CPD. The teaching was provided by staff from the Royal Institution for the first two classes and by staff from the maths department (of the host secondary school) for the final four sessions. Over the six month period of the programme (one half day per month), the pupils investigated Sierpinski Triangles, fractals, the special number Pi, probability, Graph Theory and the Bridges of Konigsberg. This presentation will provide the background to the programme held in Northern Ireland during the first half of 2019 and demonstrate some of the topics explored during the classes.