Welcome to the February Newsletter |
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Dear Maths Friends, I am pleased to send you the February (only just!) newsletter announcing International Day of Maths and some recent and coming events. IDM is a worldwide celebration of Mathematics, proclaimed by UNESCO in 2019. It takes place on the 14th March, and below I’ll tell you why and how to get involved. We also have an exciting Maths Eyes competition for all schools on the island which I’ll tell you about below. Regards, Eoin
Eoin Gill Maths Week Founder International Day of Mathematics Ireland Ambassador |
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International Day of Mathematics |
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International Day of Mathematics 14 March 2025
The International Day of Mathematics takes place on 14/3 every year. In the US that is written 3.14 and that is the common approximation of Pi and a celebration called “Pi Day” evolved. When it came time to have an International Celebration of Maths, Pi day seemed to be a logical choice. There are many ideas on the IDM website with ideas for how to celebrate it. The Maths Eyes team have come up with a great competition for all schools on the island - details below. |
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Have You Got Maths Eyes The creative people at Maths Eyes, Terry and Ciaran have come up with an IDM competition with several categories (primary, secondary and public) and €100 prize in each category |
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Four posters are presented with interesting imagery. Your pupils just have to go to the website, pick one poster and explore it for mathematical ideas. They then suggest a tagline that illustrates the maths they see. |
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An Bhfuil Súile Mata Agat? Lá Idirnáisiúnta na Matamaitice
Tá comórtas Gaeilge againn freisin. Is féidir le daltaí ó scoil ar bith dul isteach ní amháin scoileanna Gaeltachta agus scoileanna lán-Ghaeilge. Chuir COGG urraíocht ar fáil do dhearbhán ar luach €100 do bhuaiteoir gach catagóire. |
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Check out the IDM website for more wonderful resources. Including this poster with Penrose tiling that highlights the connections between maths and art. You can also download an uncoloured version that can be coloured in different ways |
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Maths Week at Northern Ireland Science Festival |
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The Maths Week team were delighted to support NISF2025. Our NI coordinator, Franz and his team with Pat Jamison, Sean McWeeney and NumeraSee delivered events in Belfast, Strabane, Limavady, Lisnaskea, Newry. The week’s maths celebrations were rounded off with a special Maths in the City event at 2 Royal Avenue in Belfast attended by over 1,000 people. |
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Engineers Week takes place next week with events and activities around the island, north and south. The festival was created to introduce primary and secondary school children to the diverse world of engineering. As maths is a core part of engineering we think you might be interested in the events and resources are available at the Engineers Ireland website. |
| | If you are in the South East you might like to know that the South East Engineering Festival is coordinated by Calmast and you can find events and activities at |
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Good luck to all schools taking part in the ESB Science Blast at RDS next week. Science Blast is a great STEM programme for primary schools, north and south, that encourages children’s natural curiosity and helps them develop 21st century skills while getting the chance to showcase their project at a major event in Dublin, Limerick or Belfast. While the Dublin event runs next week, the submission deadline for Limerick and Belfast is 14 March. |
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Sciefest@College Entry Dates |
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Deadline 12 March
The SciFest mission is to give every post-primary pupil a chance to participate in a STEM fair. Schools can enter projects in the brilliant SciFest@College events at 15 higher education campuses around the island. These events take place in April and May but the entries must be in on Wednesday 12 March and students will have until April/May to complete their projects for the fair. |
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IMTA Pi Quiz Regionals and Finals |
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13 March Regional Pi Quiz The Pi Quiz has been running since 2009 where teams of four Junior Cycle Higher level students compete in a table quiz format.
29th MarchPortlaoise
The winning team from each centre will progress to the National Final on Saturday, March 29th 2025 in the Midlands Park Hotel, Portlaoise. . |
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5th AprilMaynoothThe Irish Science Teachers Association returns to Maynooth University for their 2025 annual conference. |
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The conference always responds to the challenges and concerns of teachers and this year’s theme is “Adapting to a changing world in Science Education”. A great programme is promised which will be published shortly. I can tell you that the Calmast team will be there promoting Maths Week resources and also giving a presentation relating the life and legacy of Rev Prof Nicholas Callan of Maynooth. ISTA conference dinner will take place on the Friday evening. |
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If you have news, resources or events you would like to share or feedback on this newsletter please email mathsweek.wd@setu.ie |
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Maths Week at Northern Ireland Science Festival |
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