Science

Maths Week, an all-Ireland celebration of Maths, took place from October 10 to 18.

Oonagh McGillion, Director of Legacy with Derry City and Strabane District Council says Maths Week is a key element of the Council’s Science and Innovation programme of events and a great way to get people interested in STEM subjects.

“We are delighted to be involved in Maths Week and to be joined up in partnership with over 50 groups across the island of Ireland and work with local schools, colleges and the wider public to promote Maths.

“The week of activities will give curious minds and creative thinkers across the Council area the unique opportunity to engage in fun mathematical activities that will help develop their knowledge and skills,” she added.

The Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council Elisha McCallion said: “I think it’s really important that we do all we can to promote the STEM subjects of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths and give young people the tools and knowledge needed to be more innovational and creative when choosing a career.

“It’s also important that we encourage them to be part of events and initiatives that include the presence of maths so that they can think in a computational manner and learn new skills in terms of problem solving and thinking outside the box,” she commented.

Maths workshops and events, facilitated by the Nerve Centre, CultureTech STEM Aware, and CEX, were held at the Richmond Centre and were a huge hit with the hundreds of people taking part. The fun continued throughout the week with a series of lecture and workshops at the North West Regional College for primary and post primary school children including an interactive presentation by Professor Colm Mulcahy from Spelman College in Atlanta and a Magic of Magic show talk by leading maths author Andrew Jeffrey.

Pupils also attended hands-on workshops by the Museum of Mathematics Catalonia team and a STEM Aware led Lego Workshop.

Science and Innovation programme characters from Minecraft and Lego were also out and about in the city and district during Maths Week and Science and Innovation Ambassadors were on hand to offer and advice on up and coming events.

Maths Week chimed with the local Council’s pledge to make 2015 a ‘Year of Science.’

As part of the legacy of City of Culture 2013 the city and district has been hosting a dedicated programme of activity for Science and Innovation.

This programme is designed to enthuse our children, develop their awareness of the vast potential of STEM subjects and support our educators and business people to develop a positive environment in which STEM can flourish.

For further information on the Council’s Science and Innovation programme visit www.scinnovate.co

For a full range of pictures of children getting involved in Maths Week go to Pages 22 and 23.