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Welcome to the September Newsletter |
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| Dear Maths Friends, Welcome back from the summer break and best of luck for the new school year. Congratulations to all pupils and their teachers who received their GCSE, A Level and Leaving Cert results recently. Maths Week 2025 will be running from 11th to 19th October. The Maths Week team and partners are busy working on the programme for Maths Week 2025. The Maths Week programme will be published in the next few days and will be continually updated as events come in. See below for some 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. |
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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! 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 A Level and Leaving Cert Results Maths Week Events New Money Sense Activities Other Coming Events Recent Events Our Sister Festivals - Scotland, England and Wales.
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| Maths Week 2025 registration |
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| NEWS: Leaving Cert and A-Levels results |
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 A-Level results
Overall, maths was one of the most and popular subjects taken by students in Northern Ireland, with one in ten students choosing it. Over a third (37.3%) of students in Northern Ireland chose STEM-related subjects as part of their A-Levels. Data, however, indicates that a gender imbalance is prevalent, with 14.3% of males choosing maths compared to just 7.3% of females. Maths Week will work to promote maths to female students.
Leaving Certificate
The 2025 Leaving Certificate results showed a slight drop in H1 grades in maths compared to the 2024 results. Over 11% of students received a result of H1 compared to 12.6% in 2024. This was in part due to grade deflation and the return towards pre-pandemic making (6% in 2019). Students who gained a result of H6 or higher were also able to gain an additional 25 points, a scheme introduced in 2012. As practically all students take mathematics in the Leaving Certificate, there is not a gender gap in participation. There has been a gender gap at the highest level with females scoring fewer H1s. We haven’t seen the gender breakdown for 2025 yet, but will examine these in due course. |
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| NIMTA - Northern Ireland Maths Teachers Association |
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| Last Saturday saw the inaugural Northern Ireland Maths Teachers Association conference at Wallace High School, Lisburn. The event attracted 120 teachers to presentations on timely and relevant topics. Convenor Jonny English, Head of Maths At the Wallace High School outlined the exciting plans for the organisation and how it will serve teachers and pupils. He invites all maths teachers in Northern Ireland to sign up. |
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| | More information on NIMTA meeting below. Last week was a busy time, with Irish Mathematical Society annual meeting, Talking Maths In Public (Warwick) and Makers Fair (Dublin). More about these meetings below. |
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| | The 2025 Maths Week posts are currently in production and will be sent to schools very shortly. |
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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.
The games will be sent to schools at the end of this month. These activities promote saving, money sense and financial literacy for young people. We will have full details in a special newsletter soon. |
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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
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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| Ada Lovelace Day 14th October |
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| We will have activities honoring the legacy of Ada Lovelace on the 14th of October. This is a worldwide movement to promote Women in STEM. Please check the events section of the website regularly, as events will be added. |
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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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| | 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.  “..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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| IMTA Conference 13th September 2025 Portlaoise
The Irish Maths Teacher’s Association Conference 2025 will be held on Saturday,13th September, in the Midlands Park Hotel, Portlaoise, Co. Laois. The cost of the conference, including lunch, is €20.
The keynote speaker is Dr Tom Crawford. A regular visitor to Maths Week, Tom is a Mathematician at the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge. Tom runs an award-winning outreach programme through his website ’Tom Rocks Maths’ also a regular on Numberphile and the BBC. Tom recently filled in for Rachel Riley on Countdown.
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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 will take place from September 22nd to September 28th. Math’s Week England is scheduled for November 15th to November 23rd. MathsWeek Wales will 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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| | Maths Week at the 2025 SPRAOI International Street Arts Festival August 1st to the 3rd Waterford
The Maths Week team has been busy during the summer, engaging the crowds at events such as the 2025 Robert Boyle Summer School and Spraoi Waterford.
The team was out in force once again at the SPRAOI Festival in Cathedral Square, Waterford City, where they have been a favourite since 2010. This year marks the thrilling 16th anniversary of CALMAST STEM STREET at SPRAOI!
This year, the Calmast team captivated the crowd with interactive experiments, mind-bending puzzles and playful performances. During this vibrant three-day August bank holiday weekend celebration, the CALMAST STEM STREET welcomed thousands of visitors of all ages, providing an engaging array of puzzles and games for families to enjoy together.
The 2025 activities were facilitated by partners and volunteers from the PhysicsBuskers, led by Paul Nugent, Joanne Donohoe of Act Waterford, staff/students of SETU, the Walton Institute, Sanofi and Maths Eyes.
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| | CALMAST at the 2025 Fleadh Cheoil na hEirean August 7th to the 8th Wexford. |
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| Calmast and South East Technological University participated in Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2025, taking place in Wexford Town this August. SETU attended from the 7th to the 10th of August, with Calmast attending from the 7th to the 8th. This annual festival, organised by Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann in association with Wexford County Council, is the world's largest celebration of Irish music, song, and dance, drawing over 800,000 visitors this year! 
During the two days, the Calmast team delivered hands-on STEM activities for all the family at the 2025 Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann music festival. Visitors to the SETU stand experienced interactive demonstrations, information on courses, and performances by students and faculty, offering a glimpse into the university's vibrant cultural scene. |
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| | 38th Annual Meeting of the Irish Mathematical Society 28th and 29th of August 2025 Maynooth University |
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| The 38th Annual Meeting of the Irish Mathematical Society was held at Maynooth University on the 28th and 29th of August. The event was organised by the Department of Mathematics and Statistics.
Supported by the Irish Mathematical Society, this two-day meeting is held annually and aims to advance Mathematics and Mathematical Research by bringing together researchers across a wide range of topics of interest to the Mathematical Community.
 
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| | Dublin Maker Fair 2025 August 30th and 31st, 2025 Dublin |
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| Dublin Maker took the form of a “show and tell” experience where inventors/makers sourced through an open call had an opportunity to showcase their creations in a carnival atmosphere. The Dublin Maker fair was a family-friendly showcase of invention, creativity and resourcefulness, and a celebration of the maker movement.
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| | NIMTA Conference 2025 Saturday the 30th of August 2025 Lisburn, Northern Ireland |
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| Over 120 maths teachers joined the Northern Ireland Maths Teachers' Association at the NIMTA Conference, a day filled with networking and professional development—the conference heard from keynote Speaker Amarbeer Singh Gill.
Amarbeer has a background in secondary maths and started exploring educational research as a way of finding solutions to common challenges he faced in his classroom. This led him to his current roles as a Teacher Educator for Ambition Institute and Assistant Director of Greenshaw Research School. Amarbeer is the author of "Strengthening the Student Toolbox 'In Action'" and can be found on LinkedIn and BlueSky @SinghAmarbeerG.
 
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| | Talking Maths in Public 28th - 30th of August |
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TMiP 2025 took place in the Zeeman Building at the University of Warwick on 28th - 30th August 2025, with the option to participate online too. The two days were filled with workshops, sessions and discussions on Thursday and Friday, and a half day on Saturday for networking and activities.
Talking Maths in Public is a conference which runs in the UK every two years, for people who work in, or otherwise participate in, communicating mathematics to the public. The event is independently organised and funded by ticket sales and grants from mathematical institutions.
TMiP is run by an independent committee of people who work in different areas of maths communication, and the event includes workshops provided by expert guests, discussions on varied topics, networking sessions and chances to share ideas and showcase projects. |
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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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