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Deep Concentration As Students Take Part In Maths Challenge

Published on: 15 Mar, 2016
Updated on: 14 Mar, 2016

SATRO hosted its annual maths challenge across two dates at George Abbot School, Guildford on February 25 and March 3.

Students taking part in the maths challenge held at George Abbot School, Guildford.

Students taking part in the maths challenge held at George Abbot School, Guildford.

This after-school event is aimed at sixth-form students from schools around Surrey and neighbouring counties, and challenges them to tackle mathematical problems, including concepts taught at A-level, as well as ideas which the students might expect to meet should they continue to study maths at degree level.

In addition to the challenge element, the students were treated to talks from staff at Unum on how studying maths at university can be an excellent choice for a career, explaining that there is far more to maths than meets the eye.

The event was sponsored by Unum, Ernest Cook Trust, Surrey County Councillor Keith Taylor and The Community Foundation for Surrey in partnership with Electronic Arts.

Susan Sanderson from Unum said: “It was an honour to be asked to support SATRO with their annual maths challenge for the third year running.

“Education and supporting the development of STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) and employability skills of young people within our local communities is a core element of Unum’s corporate social responsibility programme.

“Our actuaries really enjoyed the opportunity to speak to the students about their journey from university to Unum and we hope their presentation gave them some valuable insights into where a degree in maths could take them.”

The highest scoring teams from the two evenings were Sutton Grammar School for Boys and Tiffin School, Kingston upon Thames.

A total of 83% of students who attended the event said they were more interested in studying maths at a high level as a result of participating; 93% said they had increased their understanding of how maths might be useful in a career.

Less than 20% of students continue the study of mathematics beyond the age of 16. This comes at a time when findings from the Economic & Social Research Council report that at age 14 students today have less mathematical understanding than in the 1970s.

SATRO’s vision is to inspire and enthuse young people about the world of work, particularly in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

It does this through the support of volunteers, employers and institutions from the surrounding community who share SATro’s enthusiasm for practical hands-on programmes that engage young people of all abilities; bringing together schools, colleges and the business community.

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