Mathematics Colloquium - The road to create the UK’s first Mathematics Discovery Centre

Speaker: Katie Chicot (The Open University)

Abstract: The UK is alone among the world’s 10 leading industrialised nations (China excepted) in having no public attraction dedicated to the discovery and celebration of mathematics.

From MoMath in New York City to Seocho Math Museum in Seoul, innovative maths discovery centres across the globe are engaging children and young people with maths, from an early age – inspiring interest and confidence in a subject that is at the cutting edge of research in global growth sectors such as engineering, medicine, Artificial Intelligence, FinTech and more.

MATHSWORLD aims to transform the UK public’s perception of mathematics - revealing the engaging, aesthetic and surprising side of maths and empowering people to explore mathematics for themselves.

The core project objectives are:

•             To create a unique £4.75M visitor attraction in Leeds City Centre (which lacks any STEM visitor centre), that presents maths as playful, exciting, relevant and accessible

•             To welcome 150,000+ children and families each year from diverse economic, social and cultural backgrounds and inspire them to discover, explore and enjoy mathematical thinking and ideas

•             To build young people’s skills, confidence and interest in mathematics and their desire to learn more – particularly targeting those groups who face the greatest barriers in engaging with maths

•             To explode negative perceptions of mathematics – among young people and the parents, carers and teachers who influence their career choices – through exciting challenges, surprising applications and inspiring role models

In this talk I’ll show where the project is up to, what’s next and hopefully where you can get involved too.