Show Notes
Two authors talk about their new resources and suggest tips for addressing social issues through maths There’s undoubtedly plenty of maths in climate change science. But how can teachers bring some of this real-life data into the classroom, allowing students to see maths as a tool to help interpret the world? Is this a maths teacher’s responsibility, or should they stick to more abstract maths? What is the best way to manage discussion on social (and potentially emotive) issues? MEI and the Royal Meteorological Society have recently published four resources to support teachers in raising issues of climate science through maths lessons. They cover Trees for Net Zero, Trees and Carbon Capture, Extreme Weather, and EVolution of Vehicle Sales. Alistair and Tom, two of the resource authors, talk about what they considered in creating the resources and how they hope teachers might use them with students in Key Stage 3 or Core Maths classes. Show notes Taking part in the discussion: Alistair Bissell, AMSP Level 3 Maths Professional Development Coordinator Tom Rainbow, AMSP National Coordinator for Core Maths Professional Development Gwen Tresidder, NCETM Communications Manager. Episode chapters 00:00 Introducing the speakers 01:22 Overview of the resources 02:52 What are maths teachers’ responsibilities for addressing social and political issues? 05:18 What are the benefits of addressing such issues? 06:45 How did you choose which aspects of climate change to focus on? 08:30 What will students learn? 14:10 Managing emotive issues and differences of opinion in the classroom 18:17 Maintaining balance 21:58 Digging into the maths. Useful links Alistair tweets as @comparagrams, Tom tweets as @CoreMathsTom – they would welcome feedback from teachers and students on use of these resources. The Maths and Climate Change resources can be found on MEI's website.
More from The NCETM Maths Podcast
In this episode of the NCETM Maths Podcast, Howard Astley-Jones talks with Professor Paul Glaister CBE about the origins, development and impact of Core Maths since its introduction in the mid-2010s. They discuss why the qualification was created to address the gap for students progressing beyond GCSE without taking A level Maths, and how it supports problem solving, quantitative reasoning, statistics and communication for higher education and employment. Paul reflects on policy drivers, including the Royal Society and other reports, and the importance of university support and universal provision. Howard shares recent entry trends and the role of the Core Maths Premium, and outlines AMSP and Maths Hubs professional development pathways and support for teachers. The episode also introduces AMiE and its mission for mathematics education. A transcript (PDF) of this episode is available to download. Show notes Taking part in the discussion:
In this episode of the NCETM Maths Podcast, Debbie Morgan, Director for Primary at the NCETM, talks with Suzanne Mathews, primary maths adviser across a trust of 25 primary schools and Assistant Maths Hub Lead for Möbius Maths Hub. Suzanne explains how her trust approaches mathematics in Year 6. She discusses which learning to prioritise, how daily fluency and arithmetic routines are structured, and how reasoning is developed so that pupils are well prepared for secondary school. She also shares what secondary teachers value most when students move into Year 7. The episode highlights the free downloadable NCETM resources used across their Year 6 classrooms to secure learning and address gaps. A transcript (PDF) of this episode is available to download. Show notes Taking part in the discussion:
In this episode of the NCETM Maths Podcast, Julia Thomson from the NCETM’s Communications Team discusses the STEM Ambassador programme with guests Michael Anderson, former education lead for mathematics at STEM Learning, and Garry Packer, a retired electronic engineer and STEM Ambassador. They explore how the programme supports maths education in primary and secondary settings, the roles and experiences of STEM Ambassadors, and practical advice for teachers on how to integrate STEM careers into their curriculum. The conversation highlights the impact of real-world connections on students’ mathematical understanding and career aspirations, providing insights for both educators and potential STEM Ambassadors. A transcript (PDF) of this episode is available to download. Show notes Taking part in the discussion:
In this episode of the NCETM Maths Podcast, the NCETM’s Gaynor Bahan talks with Professor Dame Allison Peacock, Chief Executive of the Chartered College of Teaching, about the importance of teacher collaboration, professional learning, and the current state and future vision of teaching as a respected profession. They discuss the Chartered College's recent report on revisiting teacher professionalism and how initiatives like the Maths Hubs Programme contribute to building a culture of trust, ethics and knowledge sharing among teachers. A transcript (PDF) of this episode is available to download. Show notes Taking part in the discussion:
In this episode of the NCETM Maths Podcast, Jane Hawkins, the NCETM’s Assistant Director for Secondary, speaks to Geoff Barton, chair of the Oracy Education Commission. The conversation dives into the importance of oracy in the classroom, especially in mathematics, exploring how it can transform learning and teaching. They discuss the current state of oracy education, its potential to close the disadvantage attainment gap, and specific recommendations for embedding oracy into professional development for teachers. Geoff references valuable insights and case studies, including contributions from experts such as Tim Oates and David Thomas, as well as practical examples from schools successfully implementing oracy strategies. A transcript (PDF) of this episode is available to download. audio file here Show notes Taking part in the discussion: