Introduction
Welcome to the Maths section of the START Competition resource hub. This section explores how participating in the START Competition helps students achieve key Maths curriculum goals through engaging, hands-on learning experiences.
The Importance of Maths in the Primary Curriculum
Mathematics is integral to understanding and engaging with the world around us. The curriculum emphasises making Maths meaningful and relevant to students’ lives by offering playful and challenging experiences that foster a deep appreciation for the subject.
How the START Competition Activities Support Maths Curriculum Goals
Understanding and Connecting
The curriculum highlights the need to understand mathematical concepts and connect them to real-life situations. In the START Competition, this is applied through the principle of a randomised trial, where two groups perform tasks differently to compare their outcomes. In the context of the START Competition, the children will apply the principles of a randomised trial, which involves comparing two groups that perform tasks differently to assess the outcomes.
For example, students might explore the question: Does 5 minutes of mindfulness before running improve our speed? They would start by identifying their participant, randomly split them into two groups, and assessing the average running speed of two groups. They then run their trial, where one group practices mindfulness for 5 minutes before running, while the other group runs without this practice. Finally, they assess the outcome by determining which group shows the most improvement. This process helps students connect mathematical concepts like averages, data analysis, and comparison to practical and meaningful real-world experiments.
Communicating
The START Competition is a collaborative project where teamwork and communication are essential. Children must effectively share their ideas, reflections, and outcomes with their peers and report their findings clearly for the judges to assess.
For instance, in the trial question “Does 5 minutes of mindfulness before running improve our speed?” students will need to discuss how to calculate the average running speed for each group. They will also need to communicate their findings clearly to our judges. If one group ran slower on both occasions but showed the most improvement, further discussions may occur on whether they should calculate a percentage improvement to better represent their results. Such discussions help students refine their mathematical communication skills, ensuring that their reasoning and conclusions are clearly understood by others.
Reasoning and Applying
The curriculum aims to enhance students’ reasoning skills and their ability to apply mathematical concepts to solve problems. Through the competition, students engage in problem-solving by designing randomised trials, making data-driven decisions.
Children will need to apply mathematical concepts such as averages, percentages, and statistics to analyse their data. In their report, children are encouraged to think critically about their experiment, considering questions like: “Is the sample size large enough to draw meaningful conclusions?” or “How can we ensure that any observed differences are due to the mindfulness practice and not other factors?” By engaging in this process, students develop a strong ability to apply their mathematical knowledge to solve complex, real-world problems, making informed decisions based on data and logical reasoning.
Problem-Solving
Problem-solving is the process of identifying a challenge, developing strategies to address it, and implementing solutions. It involves critical thinking, creativity, and the ability to adapt to new information or obstacles.
In the context of the START Competition, problem-solving is a central skill. Students are tasked with designing and conducting experiments. As they encounter unexpected outcomes or difficulties, they must adapt their strategies, reflect on their findings, and refine their approach. This hands-on application of problem-solving in a real-world context teaches them resilience and creativity in tackling complex challenges.
Pedagogical Practices in the START Competition
Fostering Productive Disposition
The goal is to help students see Maths as practical and worthwhile. The START Competition achieves this by showing students the real-world applications of Maths in health and science, thereby increasing their engagement and appreciation for the subject.
Encouraging Playfulness
Play is used to enhance mathematical thinking and language development. The competition’s interactive and exploratory nature supports playful learning, making Maths both fun and engaging.
Emphasising Mathematical Modelling
Mathematical Modelling is a process for children to represent their thinking. Children might use words, objects, pictures, symbols, or diagrams to demonstrate their interpretation of different mathematical problems. While accuracy is valued, mathematical modelling places greater emphasis on exploration, sense making, conceptual understanding and flexibility in thinking
In the START Competition, students create models to represent their data and findings, using diagrams, charts, and other visual tools to make sense of their experiments.
Using Cognitive Challenging Tasks
The curriculum encourages tasks that challenge and stretch students’ understanding. By designing and conducting experiments, students are pushed to think deeply and apply their mathematical knowledge in complex and meaningful ways.
Promoting Maths Talk
Fostering discussion and reflection on mathematical ideas is crucial. The collaborative nature of the START Competition encourages students to discuss their methods and findings, promoting deeper understanding through effective communication.
Conclusion
Participating in the START Competition not only immerses students in meaningful and relevant scientific inquiry but also aligns closely with the goals of the Maths curriculum. The competition fosters a love for Maths, encourages critical thinking, and demonstrates the practical applications of mathematical learning in real-world contexts.
