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Welcome to the October Newsletter |
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| Dear Maths Friends, We are just about a week out from Maths Week. You can do activities in your school, engage in online events and games or attend an nearby event. Below please see an update on activities and events. Maths Week 2025 will be running from 11th to 19th October with MathsWeekTV available each day for primary, post primary agus as Gaeilge. See below for a selection of events and activities. Please check the events section of the website for other ideas for in-school activity.
Meanwhile, there are resources for organising activities in your school on the website. And, we will have more updates early next week with more activities for you. |
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| | Registration for Maths Week 2025 is now open. Over 500,000 students registered in 2024, let’s break that record in 2025!Encourage your colleagues to get involved! Put your school on the map! Be in with a chance to win a set of Izak9 Cubes for your school or one of 5 Samsung Tablets. |
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| Check back for regular event updates, fun challenges, and opportunities to showcase your mathematical creativity. Let’s work together to celebrate the beauty, excitement and utility of maths. |
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| | In this newsletter: Registration for Maths Week 2025 with prizes Maths Week Events New Money Sense Activities Other Coming Events Recent Events Our Sister Festivals - Scotland, England and Wales.
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| | The 2025 Maths Week posters should have reached all schools this week. You can find them on the website |
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| Money Sense Activities with Ireland State Savings |
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We are delighted to announce that we have been working with Ireland State Savings to deliver exciting new Money Sense games for stage 2 (1st and 2nd class) and stage 4 (5th and 6th class) and a budgeting activity for Transition Year. We will also have an exciting online game.
These activities promote saving, money sense and financial literacy for young people. We will have full details in a special newsletter soon.
The games will be sent to primary schools in the Republic next week. Unfortunately we have not got a funder for these activities in Northern Ireland, but Sterling versions will be made available on the website for downloading and printing .
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| | Maths Week 2025, get involved! |
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| | Maths in the City Dublin 11th October, 12 PM to 4 PM Bank of Ireland Plaza on College Green, Dublin |
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To kick off Maths Week 2025, the Maths Week team will be taking their live pop-up maths exhibit to the streets of Dubli n. We will have shows and activities for all the family at the Bank of Ireland Plaza on College Green in the heart of Dublin city centre. Stop by for a taste of the lighter side of maths with performance, puzzles, games and challenges to engage and entertain people of all ages. No Booking required |
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| | Maths in the City 12thof October 11 AM to 4 PM. Airfield Estate, Dublin. |
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The Maths Week team will be taking their live pop-up maths exhibit to the streets of Dublin this Maths Week. We will have shows and activities for all the family at the Airfield Estate in Dublin. Stop by for a taste of the lighter side of maths puzzles, games and challenges to engage and entertain people of all ages. No Booking required. No Booking required 
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Maths Magic with Andrew Jeffrey, Dublin. 13th of October, 10:00 AM to10:45 AM.
The NCH Dublin. |
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Taking the stage at The National Concert Hall Dublin, this performance blends maths with mind-blowing magic to create an unforgettable experience for primary school pupils. Andrew Jeffrey, aka The Mathemagician, is a teacher, lecturer, magician, and keynote speaker and has been described as a mathematical evangelist. He is the author of several books, maths teacher and former vice-principal. Andrew travels the world inspiring and entertaining teachers and students alike with his Magic of Maths shows. Suitable for Primary students, 4th to 6th class. 
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A Medley of Mathematicians! MC: Kayleigh Trappe 13th of October, 10:00 AM to10:45 AM.
The National Concert Hall Dublin.
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Join us for a very special event celebrating the 20th annual Maths Week Ireland at the National Concert Hall, where Kayleigh Trappe will introduce a medley of Maths presenters from around the World will come together to show different and unexpected sides of maths to transition year and senior cycle students. Our highly experienced presenters, including Australian Colin Wright, Tiago Hirth from Portugal and the UK’s Andrew Jeffery, have entertained and enlightened students around the world. Join them at the National Concert Hall this Maths Week, where your students will discover the importance and beauty of Maths!
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| | Ada Lovelace Day 14th October |
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Ada Lovelace Day falls during Maths Week this year on the 14t h of October.
Ada Lovelace was a mathematician who worked closely with Charles Babbage who designed mechanical computers and she is credited with writing the first computer program and the day is used to celebrate and promote Women in STEM. We have featured Ada on the senior post-primary poster. Fun Fact: Ada was daughter of poet Lord Byron.
Our senior post-primary poster celebrates Ada. |
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| | Hamilton Walk 16th October, 1 PM to 2.30 PM Dunsink Observatory, Dublin 15. |
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| The walk commemorates Hamilton's famous creation of a strange new number system, called Quaternions, on the banks of the Royal Canal in Dublin on October 16, 1843. Quaternions now play a fundamental role in computer games and animation, special effects in movies, space navigation and many other areas. The walk will retrace Hamilton's steps from Dunsink Observatory to Broombridge in Cabra, where he had his Eureka moment. Hamilton performed a piece of mathematical graffiti by scratching his quaternion formulas on the canal bri dge. In an act of mathematical vandalism, Hamilton opened up a whole new mathematical landscape where mathematicians could now feel free to conceive new algebraic number systems that were not shackled by the rules of ordinary numbers in arithmetic. Hamilton freed algebra from arithmetic and he was called the Liberator of Algebra. This event is suitable for the general public, second-level students and staff, third-level students and staff.
Booking is essential with Fiacre Ó Cairbre at fiacre.ocairbre@mu.ie
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Murderous Maths with Kjartan Poskitt! The Helix, Dublin. 16th of October, 9:45 AM to 12:15 PM The Helix, Dublin. |
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Join us at The Helix, Dublin, for a thrilling and hilariously engaging Murderous Maths show with the World’s best-selling maths author Kjartan Poskitt! Kjartan will host two shows, first from 9:45 AM to 10:30 AM for 3rd and 4th class and the second, from 11:30 AM to 12:15 PM for 5th and 6th class.
In this special edition 20th Anniversary Maths Week Show, join Kjartan as he introduces the quirky characters and dramatic stories behind the Murderous Maths series that have sold millions worldwide! The show promises a fantastic blend of laughter, wonder, and fun, designed to inspire, educate and entertain!
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2025 Hamilton Lecture: ‘My romance with the warped side of our universe.” 16th of October, 6 PM to 7:30 PM Royal Irish Academy, Dublin. |
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| This year’s Hamilton Speaker, Kip Thorne, is the Feynman Professor of Theoretical Physics, Emeritus at the California Institute of Technology(Caltech). From 1967 to 2009, he led a Caltech research group working in relativistic astrophysics and gravitational physics, with emphasis on relativistic stars, black holes, and especially gravitational waves. Kipco founded (with Rainer Weiss and Ronald Drever) the LIGO (Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory) Project. LIGO – in the hands of a younger generation of physicists – made the breakthrough discovery of gravitational waves arriving at Earth from the distant universe on September 14, 2015. For his contributions to LIGO and to gravitational wave research, Kip shared the 2017 Nobel Prize in Physics, and other major awards. He continues to do scientific research and scientific consulting, a notable example of which was for the Christopher Nolan film Interstellar.
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| | Maths in the City Derry~Londonderry |
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Maths Fair for all
The Guildhall
Saturday, 18th October Families and General Public Free Admission
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 Maths Week TV
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Primary
Mini Quiz with Franz Schwindlein 13th of October 3rd, 4th class/Year 4, 5
Pupils in their own class, collaborate to work as one team, competing against hundreds of other classes from across the country.
Mega Quiz with Franz Schwindlein 14th of October 6th class / Year 8
Where pupils in their own class, collaborate to work as one team, competing against hundreds of other classes from across the country
The Hidden Maths of Technology with Zoe Griffiths 15th of October
There are numbers all around us that make our modern lives possible. From rescuing your lost words in text messages, to taking selfies, maths is always there making things work. This session will show students the mathematics behind modern technology and emphasise the importance of learning maths for a career in technology. Topics: barcodes and check digits, error correction, binary numbers & ASCII, mathematics behind digital images.
Exploring Megafauna in Irish Water with the Explorers Education Programme
16th of October
Join the Marine Institute Explorers Education Programme as they introduce your class to shapes and sizes of marine animals in Irish Waters! Discover who is the largest, the smallest, and the loudest. Take part in our marine animal size challenge and see if you can match the shape to the species before exploring how shape can inspire how we design and make new technology.
Suitable for children 8-12 years of age, this interactive1-hour webinar via Zoom will take place on the 16th of October at 10.10 am and will include time for students' questions
Dream Space
17thof October
Join the Dream Space Team for a free live virtual eventcelebrating Maths Week Ireland. Aimed atupper primary and lower secondary students, this interactive session will showhow maths is part of the world around us in the choices we make, the problemswe solve and the technology we use every day.
Students will work with MakeCode for micro:bit,completing creative activities that show maths is not only about numbers butalso about exploration, logic and fun. Together we will see Maths atWork.
Secondary
The Mathematics of Climate Change October 13th TY and senior cycle, Year 12-14 In this talk, Professor Chris Budd, University of Bath, will describe how climate change models work and the assumptions that go into them. He will discuss how reliable our predictions of climate change are, and show how mathematicians can give us insights into both past and future.
Ayliean MacDonald October 14th 1st – 3rd year/year 10-11 More to follow The Hidden Mathsof Technology 15thof October TY and senior cycle/Year 12-14 There are numbers all around us that make our modern lives possible. From rescuing your lost words in text messages, to taking selfies, maths is always there making things work. This session will show students the mathematics behind modern technology and emphasise the importance of learning maths for a career in technology. Topics: barcodes and check digits, error correction, binary numbers & ASCII, mathematics behind digital images.
Sophie Mc Lean: Mathematical Mysteries (with a splash of colour) 16thof October Junior cycle Colouring can be great fun, but did you know that it can also lead to some very interesting Maths? Join Sophie to discover the rules governing how we can colour things, and to see how colouring can helpus investigate some interesting mathematical conundra. Pens or pencils (ideally in several colours!) are recommended. Talk aimed at 14-17 year olds.
Dream Space
17th of October
Junior cycle
Join the DreamSpace Team for a free live virtual event celebrating Maths WeekIreland. Aimed atupper primary and lower secondary students, this interactive session will showhow maths is part of the world around us in the choices we make, the problemswe solve and the technology we use every day.
Students willwork with MakeCode for micro:bit, completing creative activities thatshow maths is not only about numbers but also about exploration, logic and fun.Together we will see Maths at Work.
Learning Objectives:
· Explore everyday maths by recognising how concepts like time, money and measurement arepart of daily life.
· Experience maths as creative and enjoyable through hands-on problem solvingactivities.
· Connect maths and coding by using MakeCode for micro bit to build simple projects thatbring maths ideas to life.
· Develop problem solving skills by taking on inclusive, engaging challenges that make mathsaccessible for all.
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| MathsWeekTV Cláir as Gaeilge
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| 13ú Deireadh Fómhair , Dé Luain An Bhfuil Súile Mata Agat? – Comórtas Sluáin Gach Rang
Tá 6 chatagóir sa chomórtas
Catagóir1 – Naíonáin Bheaga agus NaíonáinMhóra Catagóir2 – Rang a hAon agus Rang a Dó Catagóir3 – Rang a Trí agus Rang a Ceathair Catagóir4 – Rang a Cúig agus Rang aSé Catagóir 5 – Bliain 1 – Bliain 3 Catagóir 6 – Bliain 4 – Bliain 6
Oscail doshúile Mata agus cum sluán Gaeilge - Comórtas speisialta Súile Mata do gachbunscoil agus iar-bhunscoil
Igcomhpháirtíocht le COGG agus “Maths Week Ireland 2025”, chuir Súile Mata,comórtas le chéile chun gach bunscoil agus iar-bhunscoil ar fud na hÉireann aspreagadh chun sluán i nGaeilge a chumadh d’íomhá Súile Mata. Bí páirteach chundearbhán One4All a bhuachan.
Cad atá ledéanamh le cur isteach ar an gcomórtas?
1. Roghnaighpóstaer. 2. Cumsluán. 3. Roghnaighcatagóir. 4. Cuir d’iontráil isteach ag
14ú Deireadh Fómhair , De Máirt
Tráth na gCeist – Seachtain an Mhata
Rang 1 – 2
Bí linn don spraoi agus taispeáin cé chomh cliste agus atádo rang!
An bhfuil an rang réidh do cheisteanna dúshlánacha agus gníomhaíochtaí spraíúla gur féidir leo a dhéanamh lena gcairde ar líne?
15ú Deireadh Fómhair , Dé Céadaoin
Mistéir sa Mhata
Rang 4– 6 Fuascail na leideanna. Réitigh na cóid. Aimsigh an gadaí. Beidh deis ag páistí Rang 4–6 páirt a ghlacadh i Mistéir saMhata ar liné
Caithfidh siad leideanna ceilte a aimsiú, cóid a bhriseadh agus puzail adhéanamh chun an mistéir a réiteach. An bhfuil siad réidh le bheith ina mbleachtairí Mata?
16ú Deireadh Fómhair , Déardaoin
Meigeafánaa Thaiscéaladh in Uisce Éireann leis an Explorers Education Programme d'aois,beidh an webinar idirghníomhach 1 uair an chloig seo ar siúl tríZoom ar an 16ú Deireadh Fómhair ag 09:30 am agus beidh am ann le haghaidh ceisteanna na dáltaí.
Tar leis an Explorers Education Programme ó Foras na Mara agus iad ag cur cruthanna agusméideanna ainmhithe mara in Uiscí Éireann i láthair do rang. Faigh amach cé héan ceann is mó, an ceann is lú agus an ceann is airde. Glac páirt inár ndúshlánmaidir le méid ainmhithe mara agus féach an feidir leat an cruth a mheaitseaílleis an speiceas sula bhfiosraigh conas is feidir le cruth spreagadh athabhairt don chaoi a ndéanaimid teicneolaíocht nua a dhearadh agus a dhéanamh.
17ú Deireadh Fómhair Dé hAoine
Cosán Mata: Fíorúil agus Fíorspraíúil! Rang 1-6
Tá dhá sraith ceisteanna ann: Sraith Ghorm – ceisteanna níos éasca Sraith Oráiste – ceisteanna níos dúshlánaí An dtiocfaidh tú linn go dtí an zú, zú, zú? Ní chreidfidh túan méid Mata atá le feiceáil ann.
Táimidar bís an Cosán Mata nua a sheoladh ag ZúBÁC! Scoileannaáitiúla–Siúil an Cosán Mata go bhfeicfidh tú an méid mata timpeall na háite!
Scoileanna eile – ní gáduit a bheith linn ag an zú! Lean an cosán go fíorúil agus réitigh na fadhbannaó do sheomra ranga féin! Anféidir leat na freagraí go léir a aimsiú? Bain sult as an bhfoghlaim! |
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| | Sculpture in Context Botanic Gardens Dublin 4th September - 10th October This popular exhibition of sculpture returns for the 40th time. A great selection of sculptures are on display amongst the wonderful plants in the Botanic Gardens in Dublin. Amongst the works is a piece called Point, Line, Plane and Space by Claire Halpin and Madeleine Hellier. This piece is inspired by William Rowan Hamilton and Quaternions and will stay in place for the duration of Maths Week.  “..we honour with reverence Hamilton’s belief in the beauty of maths through creating an immersive, expanded drawing installation of 3d glass elements…”
Photo credits: Dr Fiacre Ó Cairbre |
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RIA: The future of funding for fundamental sciences
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Tuesday, 14 October 2025 at 2.00 p.m. Royal Irish Academy, 19 Dawson Street, Dublin 2,D02 HH58
The Royal Irish Academy will host a panel event to discuss the future of funding for fundamental scientific research and to showcase the value of theoretical and fundamental scientific research and to highlight the research funding required to support the development of a flourishing fundamental scientific research ecosystem in Ireland within a broader international context. Professor Jean-Pierre Bourguignon, past president of the European Research Council, will deliver the keynote address reflecting on his research career and his experience at the head of an international research funding body. Following the keynote, Professor Bourguignon will be joined by a panel of expert speakers for a discussion moderated by Professor Sinéad Ryan, Trinity College Dublin. The event will be aimed at researchers, research funders and policy makers and hopes to stimulate a discussion about the future of funding for fundamental scientific research in Ireland.
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| | IAMTA Conference 15th November 2025 Athlone |
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| The Irish Applied Maths Teachers Association conference will take place in Athlone on 15 November at the Athlone Springs Hotel. |
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| | SoS - Science on Stage 2026 |
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| Science on Stage 2026 will take place in Klaipeda, Lithuania, from 28th to 31st May. Applications are invited from teachers for the Festival - Closing in September.
Guiding themes for Festival 2026:
‣STEM for the youngest
‣STEM education for sustainable development
‣AI in STEM education
‣Equity and inclusion in STEM education
‣Self-directed learning in STEM education
‣Career Orientation in STEM Education
‣Low-cost experiments in STEM education
‣ Collaborative projects
‣STEM for Teachers in Training Travel, festival fees, and accommodation costs are all covered. Projects do not need to be complete, as an experienced mentor will be assigned. Join 450 teachers from 35 countries to share innovative, practical ideas. Fill in the expression of interest here or emailpaul.nugent@gmail.com for more info.
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| | Maths Week Festivals 2025 Promoting maths for all in Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales |
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| Key dates 2025:
MathsWeek Ireland, celebrating its 20th year in 2025, will take place from 11th to 19th October 2025. MathsWeek Scotland took place from September 22nd to September 28th. Math’s Week England is scheduled for November 15th to November 23rd. MathsWeek Wales the inaugural festival ill run from the 29th of November to the 7th of December.
Maths Weeks in Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales are related annual events designed to promote mathematics and highlight its importance in everyday life. While each nation has its distinct festival, they all share a common goal: making mathematics accessible and engaging for everyone, regardless of age or ability.
Maths Week Ireland, an all-island initiative, is celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2025. This remarkable milestone marks two decades of promoting a positive perception of mathematics and showcasing its relevance in everyday life. Originally founded in 2006 by Eoin Gill and Sheila Donegan at the STEM outreach centre CALMAST (Centre for the Advancement of Learning in Maths, Science, and Technology) at Waterford Institute of Technology (now SETU), the festival has grown into the leading festival of its kind world. The festival's success is evident in its impressive reach, with over 520,000 participants engaging in its activities in 2024. Its core mission, to foster a love for mathematics and demonstrate its practical applications, has been a driving force behind its growth. Maths Week Ireland's success is also a result of its strong network of strategic partnerships, including all the universities on the island.
Building on the success of this model, similar initiatives have been established across Great Britain. The subsequent creation of Maths Weeks in England, Scotland, and Wales demonstrates the profound influence of the original Irish festival and its proven ability to inspire and engage a broad audience with the world of mathematics.
Maths Week Scotland was established in 2017 following the recommendations of the "Make Maths Count" advisory group. The initiative actively promotes engagement across educational and family settings, encouraging participation from schools, nurseries, and families. A key feature of the festival is the involvement of parents and carers, who are often invited to join students in learning activities.
Modelled after its successful counterparts in Ireland, the Scottish festival has cultivated strategic partnerships with key stakeholders. These collaborations include, but are not limited to, the Scottish Government, the Edinburgh Mathematical Society, and the Glasgow Mathematical Journal Trust. These relationships are integral to the festival's mission of enhancing public appreciation for mathematics and demonstrating its relevance in daily life.
Maths Week England is now in its 6th year, having been established in November 2019 aims “ … to ensure that no child misses out on the opportunities that come with being a confident and competent mathematician”. To reach this aim, centres of higher education from across England to engage with schools by inviting them to visit and take part in fun maths-based activities. This is to inspire those students who may not see maths as a viable option for them, for whatever reason. Since its inception, the festival has engaged with over two million young people from 11,400 schools.
Maths Week Scotland is supported by many well-known maths organisations such as ATM (Association of Teachers of Mathematics) and The MA (The Mathematical Association). Maths Week England continues to grow from strength to strength.
Maths Week Wales (NEW festival coming in November 2025) or Mathŵyl Cymru will be launched in November 2025. This voluntary collaboration of over 20 organisations, similar to its Irish, Scottish and English counterparts, is committed to promoting maths for all. The inaugural 2025 festival will include enrichment specialists, museums, teaching organisations, universities, and others from across Wales. |
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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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