Dear Maths Friends,

Today is Friday 13th and 13 is considered an unlucky number in western cultures, although it is considered lucky in other cultures. In mathematics 13 is an interesting number: it is an odd number, a prime number and a Fibonacci number. Tomorrow is a more auspicious day and we wish everyone a Happy Valentine’s Day.

There is a lot going on including

• NI Science Festival

• Engineers Week

• International Day of Maths 14 March

• Global Money Week

Read on to find out what’s happening and how to get involved.

Let your mind wander at the

NI Science Festival

11 - 22 February, 2026

NI Science Festival is an annual celebration of science, technology, engineering, arts and maths (STEAM) across Northern Ireland, bringing groundbreaking research and big ideas to audiences of all ages. This year features 300+ events, including talks, workshops, exhibitions and interactive events.

Maths is central to engineering and Engineers Week is an annual nationwide campaign that has been created to introduce primary and secondary school children to the diverse and exciting world of engineering.

Engineers Week 2026 will take place from
Saturday, 28 February – Friday, 6 March 2026.

To find out more about family fun days happening in your region or to register an activity visit www.engineersireland.ie/schools/Engineers-Week. As well as events organised by companies, third-level institutions and the public sector, teachers are also encouraged to run their own classroom-based activities, quizzes and competitions. A full list of resources and activities are available on the Engineers Ireland website.

South East Engineering Festival

As part of Engineers Week, engineering is coming to the South East region on 2-6 March. This week long festival will give people in the South East of Ireland an opportunity to learn what engineers do and how they do it. Every day things we depend on, such as buildings, bridges, roads, water supplies, and more much, are made by engineers using science, maths and computing.

The full programme of events will be available soon, so keep an eye on the website.

Join the International Day of Mathematics (IDM) on 14 March, known in some countries as ‘Pi Day’ for the date being written as ‘3-14’, the common approximation of the number Pi. The 2026 theme, Mathematics and Hope, creates opportunities for deeper insight and knowledge.

Find a variety of ways to celebrate on the IDM website, including a poster inspired by Penrose Tiling that you can colour in many different ways, Mathematics of Eclipses, and many other activities!

You can also use our Money Sense games, developed in partnership with Ireland State Savings, as an activity for IDM. Find those linked below.

The creative people at Maths Eyes have also developed a Maths Eyes Tagline competition for IDM, with categories for primary, secondary, and the general public. There is a €100 prize to be won in each category!

Using your maths eyes, pick one of four posters and explore the mathematical ideas it presents. Then suggest a tagline that illustrates the maths you see.

Keep an eye on the Maths Eyes website for more information on the 2026 competition.

16 - 22 March

Global Money Week (GMW) is a campaign to ensure that young people are financially aware from an early age. Personal finances can feel daunting, and many young people may not feel confident in asking money-related questions.

Robert Boyle Summer School

The Robert Boyle Summer School will take place in Waterford and Lismore on the 4-7 June. This 4 day event from Thursday to Sunday will have discussions centered around the theme Mind & Matter, social entertainment, and a garden party in the Lismore Castle Gardens. Explore the role of science and philosophy in our lives!

Registration is open now, with early bird price available until 17 March.

Maths Eyes Poster and

Group Initiative Competition

Money Sense Games

Budgeting, money sense and financial literacy are all key life skills… and these skills use Maths! Our Money Sense Games, developed in partnership with Ireland State Savings, are a fantastic way to build these skills in the classroom, especially with two  events just around the corner.

International Day of Mathematics (14 March)

Celebrate the power of Maths by using the Money Sense Games to explore financial literacy, counting, budgeting, and spending in a fun and meaningful way.

Global Money Week (16–22 March)

This annual global campaign promotes early financial awareness and encourages young people to develop smart money habits. It’s the perfect opportunity to introduce engaging, practical activities that strengthen money sense.

The games are available on our website Resources page for teachers to print out.