Makhan Singh B.Eng; M.A (Couns.) Project Manager HoDoMS

Setting the scene

What’s it all about? MMG is a 3 year pilot project funded by HEFCE under the widening Participation remit. Mission: To widen participation and increase the numbers of graduates from mathematical sciences so that the demands of industry, commerce and education might be better met. Mission: To widen participation and increase the numbers of graduates from mathematical sciences so that the demands of industry, commerce and education might be better met. MMG is being project managed centrally from Birmingham University MMG is being project managed centrally from Birmingham University

But why..? Research shows... Increase in A-level entries overall (660,000 in 1989 to 760,000 in 2004). Increase in A-level entries overall (660,000 in 1989 to 760,000 in 2004). Decrease in A-level maths (85,000 in 1989 down to approx 53,000 in 2004). Decrease in A-level maths (85,000 in 1989 down to approx 53,000 in 2004). Young peoples perception of maths is that it’s ‘boring’, ‘hard’, ‘no relevance for future life’ Young peoples perception of maths is that it’s ‘boring’, ‘hard’, ‘no relevance for future life’ 25% of Maths classes taught by non- mathematicians (NFER 2006) 25% of Maths classes taught by non- mathematicians (NFER 2006)

And also… Gender and age imbalance with Higher Education Gender and age imbalance with Higher Education Under-representation amongst certain ethnic groups Under-representation amongst certain ethnic groups Poor information about career options puts young people off (QCA 2006) Poor information about career options puts young people off (QCA 2006)

Widening Participation: Target Groups Black African Black African Black Caribbean Black Caribbean Pakistani Pakistani Bangladeshi Bangladeshi Women Women Adult Learners Adult Learners

Pilot Areas 3 sub-regions are working with approx. 7 schools/colleges and 1 sub-region to research: 3 sub-regions are working with approx. 7 schools/colleges and 1 sub-region to research: West Midlands – Coventry University West Midlands – Coventry University Yorkshire & Humberside – Leeds University Yorkshire & Humberside – Leeds University London – Queen Mary, University of London London – Queen Mary, University of London Sheffield-Hallam University – focusing on HE Curriculum Development which gives a variety of delivery options and attract widen participation Sheffield-Hallam University – focusing on HE Curriculum Development which gives a variety of delivery options and attract widen participation

Four Theme Approach To help overcome the various barriers and perceptions as well as raise aspirations, MMG is implementing a four-theme approach. To help overcome the various barriers and perceptions as well as raise aspirations, MMG is implementing a four-theme approach. 1. Learner Theme – Pupils 1. Learner Theme – Pupils 2. Teaching Theme – Teachers 2. Teaching Theme – Teachers 3. Careers Theme – Pupils and Teachers 3. Careers Theme – Pupils and Teachers 4. HE Curriculum Theme – HEI’s 4. HE Curriculum Theme – HEI’s

Getting to a wider audience

What Happens Next? All 3 pilot areas now have: All 3 pilot areas now have: 1 x Subject Officer 1 x Subject Officer 1 x Careers Officer 1 x Careers Officer 0.5 x Admin Officer 0.5 x Admin Officer

Project Highlights to date of Coventry & Warwickshire Improving A Level Standards Workshop for 50 local teachers Improving A Level Standards Workshop for 50 local teachers Maths Fun Day at Coventry University for 150 Year 9 pupils from local schools Maths Fun Day at Coventry University for 150 Year 9 pupils from local schools Stall at Coventry Transport Museum Connexions Careers Fair Stall at Coventry Transport Museum Connexions Careers Fair ‘Maths Murder Mystery’ Event ‘Maths Murder Mystery’ Event ‘Maths & Football Stadiums’ Seminar ‘Maths & Football Stadiums’ Seminar

Project Highlights to date of East London (Queen Mary University of London) Over 30 subject specific, curriculum related and careers awareness raising events have been held at various schools and colleges in the region. Over 30 subject specific, curriculum related and careers awareness raising events have been held at various schools and colleges in the region. Good, positive feedback from event evaluations with over 500 respondents including students and staff. Good, positive feedback from event evaluations with over 500 respondents including students and staff.

Project Highlights to date of Yorkshire and the Humber School enrichment work shops School enrichment work shops Mechanics experiments Mechanics experiments Maths at work days Maths at work days Higher Education experience days Higher Education experience days 18 maths undergraduates recruited to work with pupils at mmg events 18 maths undergraduates recruited to work with pupils at mmg events

Project future outputs will include... Producing a Tool Kit of resources for Maths teachers across the country Producing a Tool Kit of resources for Maths teachers across the country Maths careers DVD with resources aligned to the national curriculum Maths careers DVD with resources aligned to the national curriculum More Maths Grads will aim to devise a programme of study, piloted and aligned in the 3 regions together, for a national maths competition with curriculum, employer and parental inputs More Maths Grads will aim to devise a programme of study, piloted and aligned in the 3 regions together, for a national maths competition with curriculum, employer and parental inputs National event to be held in 2009 with all partners and schools National event to be held in 2009 with all partners and schools

Project Highlights to date of Sheffield Hallam University The HE curriculum theme is currently in a research phase, with interviews/discussions being held with students and academics The HE curriculum theme is currently in a research phase, with interviews/discussions being held with students and academics Amongst other things also aiming to understand what enthuses students on Mathematics courses (and what does not) Amongst other things also aiming to understand what enthuses students on Mathematics courses (and what does not)

..Wow, maths is amazing! Winning Hearts and Minds of Parents, Teachers, Employers, Partners and of course…Young People. Let me show you how maths is used by chocolate makers….