Conference formats

Month-long conferences
Long projects
Special events and maths days

One-day conferences

All our sixth-from conferences are held over one day (usually 10am - 3pm) and some conferences for younger students also follow this format.

A preliminary short task may be set to get students thinking about the topic before the start of the videoconference. The day starts with introductions, and then the speaker will talk for a while about the topic - this period will normally include activities for the students also. There will then be longer tasks set on our website for students to do away from the camera for a period of 45 mins or an hour, and these will be followed by feedback to camera from all participants. The speaker will then move the topic on again. During the afternoon, there will be another period when students work on longer tasks. These will be followed by short presentations from each school on work they have done over the day. Presenting students will then answer questions from the other schools and receive feedback and questions from the speaker.

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Month-long conferences

Most of our conferences for students under 16 follow this format.

A preliminary short task may be set to get students thinking about the topic before the start of the videoconference. The first VC consists of introductions, then input from the speaker interspersed with activities for the students. After this VC, schools work on projects set on our website. At the second VC, about a month later, each participating school gives a short presentation on what they have done, answers questions from the other schools, and receives feedback and questions from the speaker.

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Long projects

We also run long projects over a period of two or three terms. Generally these consist of an initial teacher briefing by VC, then two VCs per term for students which follow the pattern of the month-long conferences. Project work is set on our website to be done during VCs.

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Special maths days / sessions for schools

We are happy to provide VC days or sessions for schools by special arrangement. Format and content are agreed with the participating school(s). We also sometimes have special events which we can offer to schools, such as free Science Week conferences. These are offered first to schools participating in our long projects and then to others on our mailing lists. To be included in our mailing lists (primary, secondary or sixth-form) pleae email Jenny Gage.

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