INCREASING THE SUPPLY OF MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES

GRADUATESLis Goodwin

Consultant

REASONS

HEFCE:

• Promotion and provision of the opportunity for HE to everyone who can benefit from it

• Initiative on STEM subjects: strategically important but vulnerable subjects

HEFCE

• Money given already to:EngineeringPhysicsChemistry

• Now we hope: Mathematics

• Decision: June 8 2006

STEERING COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT BID

• Institute of Mathematics and Its Applications (IMA);

• London Mathematical Society (LMS)• Royal Statistical Society (RSS);• Heads of Departments of Mathematical

Sciences in the UK (HODOMS);• Higher Education Academy Mathematics,

Statistics and Operational Research (MSOR) Network.

STEERING COMMITTEE FOR PROJECT BID

In addition representatives from:

• Advisory Committee on Mathematics Education (ACME);

• Joint Mathematical Council (JMC);

• Further Education (FE) Sector;

• Widening Participation Directorate at HEFCE.

Two consultants: Lis Goodwin, Diane Crann

PROPOSED PROJECT

• Three year project starting in August 2006 if HEFCE approval given in June

• Budget approx £3.9m

• Project leaders MSOR Network at Birmingham

AIMS

The overall aims of the project are:• To widen participation within the

mathematical sciences from groups of learners who have not previously been well represented in Higher Education.

• To increase the supply of mathematical science graduates in England so that the demands of industry, commerce and education might be better met.

OBJECTIVES

• Improve understanding of the wide-ranging

applicability of mathematics and the breadth of career opportunities open to mathematical sciences graduates.

• Help school and college students to understand the purpose of mathematical study, to enjoy mathematics, to be confident about meeting challenges in the subject, to realise their potential in mathematics and to raise their aspirations about further study of mathematics.

OBJECTIVES

• Contribute to the development of teachers’ enjoyment, confidence and knowledge of mathematics and its applications so that they can help stimulate interest in further study of mathematics in their students.

• Increase the scope of the mathematics curriculum for HE nationally in order to allow real choices for a wide range of students.

BACKGROUND

• Smith report• A level Maths entries dropping• HE Maths entries dropping• NFER report: 25% of Maths classes taught by

non-specialists• Gender and age imbalance• Certain ethnic groups are under-represented• International concern• QCA:School students unaware of career options

DELIVERY OF PROPOSED PROJECT

• Careers theme: Promotion of information about the wide-ranging relevance and applicability of mathematics and the breadth of career opportunities open to mathematical sciences graduates.

• Student theme: Enrichment activities, aimed directly at students to encourage them to raise their aspirations and attainment levels in the mathematical sciences and to consider the study of mathematical sciences in Higher Education.

DELIVERY OF PROPOSED PROJECT

• Teaching theme: Support for mathematics teachers to enable them to raise the aspirations and the attainment level of their students.

• HE Curriculum theme: Development of the Higher Education curriculum in the mathematical sciences including teaching, learning, assessment and support methods to ensure that it is suited to a wide range of students.

ACTIVITIES PROPOSED

Careers theme:• Development of careers materials.• Extensive development of careers website.• Disseminate expertise concerning

mathematically-related careers to Connexions.• Courses to increase careers awareness for

teachers and careers advisors.• Localised events and regional careers fairs to

enhance student careers awareness.In this context `careers’ means careers open to

graduates from the mathematical sciences.

ACTIVITIES PROPOSED

Student theme:• Student ambassador scheme.• School-based events to enrich and

enhance the student experience.• Industrial, professional and academic

speakers to promote applications of mathematics.

• Regional mathematics workshops hosted by HEIs.

ACTIVITIES PROPOSED

Teaching theme:

• Evaluation of resources to aid the transition to HE.

• Collaboration with the NCETM as subject professionals.

• Enrichment opportunities for teachers, including residential summer schools.

ACTIVITIES PROPOSED

HE Curriculum development theme:

• Improve alignment of HE courses with regional or national economic needs.

• Review teaching and learning and assessment methods, especially in the first year.

• Review support methods.

• Determine appropriate access provision.

LOCATION

Three Aimhigher regions:

• West Midlands

• Yorkshire and Humberside

• London

Roll out nationally after three years

LOCATION

Lead HE institutions involved:• University of Birmingham • Coventry University • University of Leeds• Sheffield Hallam University• Queen Mary, University of London• Institute of Education, London• Open University

Other HEIs

• We hope that all HEIs offering mathematical science courses will benefit from the work done if the project is approved.

• The support of HODOMs is helpful to the project

• After the first phase we hope this can bbe repeated in other locations

SUPPORT• University of Bath Department of

Mathematical Sciences• University of Bristol Department of

Engineering Mathematics• University of Brunel School of Info

Systems, Computing and Mathematics

• University of Durham Department of Mathematical Sciences

• University of Greenwich Department of Mathematical Sciences

• Hatfield University• University of Leicester Department

of Mathematics

• University of Liverpool Department of Mathematical Sciences

• University of Loughborough School of Mathematics

• University of Newcastle School of Mechanical and Systems Engineering

• University of Nottingham school of Mathematical Sciences

• Oxford Brookes University• University of Reading Department

of Mathematics• University of Warwick Department

of Mathematics• University of Paisley

SUPPORT

• If you are interested in adding the support of your Department please E mail:

• lisgoodwin@btinternet.com

PEOPLE

• Project Manager based in BirminghamIn each area• a Careers-Coordinator to work primarily on the

Careers theme;• a Subject-Coordinator to work primarily on the

student and teaching themes;• a Curriculum Developer (0.5FTE) to work

primarily on HE Curriculum Development theme;• an Administrator to support activity in each

region.

PROPOSED OUTCOMES

• More HE students within the mathematical sciences from WP background

• More students from WP background enrolled upon HE courses with a significant mathematical component

• Change in the perception of mathematics amongst school students

PROPOSED OUTCOMES

• Greater awareness and understanding of the applications and opportunities offered by study of the mathematical sciences

PROPOSED OUTCOMES

• Improved understanding of the pathways available for students who wish to study the mathematical sciences in HE.

• Understanding among HEIs who offer mathematical sciences of the process of change to encourage wider participation

EMPLOYER SUPPORT

• Rolls Royce PLC• Qinetiq• DSTL• Price Waterhouse Coopers• Thales• GCHQWe will involve: SETNETS and

SETPOINTS, SEMTA and HEI alumni

WAY FORWARD

• Proposed project goes to HEFCE On April 30

• HEFCE meeting June 8

• Earliest start date if approved: August 1

• Work in schools would start January 2007

• We will let you know!