About this day
For A-level, IB, BTEC Level 3 and T Level maths students
Join us for the ultimate A-level maths enrichment day! Maths in Action brings an exciting day of interactive learning for students! Through engaging sessions led by top academics, industry leaders, and expert communicators, students will discover the power of maths beyond the classroom—from pure maths to real-world applications.
A special Exam Success session will provide students with expert strategies to boost confidence and exam performance. With live polls, quizzes, and plenty of opportunities to engage with speakers, this is maths like never before.
Host: Matt Pritchard (STEM Communicator) Exam Session: Nicole Cozens
“A great day! Kept the students attention, without trivialising the content!”
– Tiffin School –
One more speaker for this exciting event will be announced soon!
Programme & speakers
The man who cannot lose Matt Pritchard, Scientist and Magician
It’s the taking part (and winning) that counts. From childhood games through to the greatest gamble of his life, magician Dr Matt Pritchard is on an obsessed quest to come out on top. Matt will be revealing the hidden mathematics and winning strategies behind games like Pass the Parcel, Guess Who?, Rock Paper Scissors and Russian Roulette.
About Dr Matt Pritchard
Dr Matt Pritchard is a magician and a member of the Magic Circle. He is a lapsed atomic physicist with a love of recreational maths. He is also a member of the Science of Magic Association, which aims to foster research collaborations between magicians and psychologists. (Photo credit: Twist Museum)
Can maths help to save the polar regions? Sammie Buzzard, Northumbria University, Assistant Professor in Polar Observation and Modelling
In this session Dr Sammie Buzzard will show some of the applications of maths for investigating how our polar regions are being impacted by climate change. This includes using numerical simulations, satellites and even trying to do integration in a tent in Greenland!
About Dr Sammie Buzzard
Dr Sammie Buzzard is a glaciologist and climate scientist who uses maths to investigate how our polar regions are changing and what this might mean for the future. This has taken her to some unexpected places, including the Arctic.
Machine learning with a pile of matchboxes Matthew Scroggs, University College London
Back in the 1960s, computer pioneer Donald Michie created something extraordinary: MENACE, a “machine” made entirely of matchboxes that could learn to play noughts and crosses. In this talk, we’ll challenge a modern replica of MENACE—built by Matthew—to a live game and watch as it learns, adapts, and tries to outsmart us one move at a time.
About Matthew Scroggs
When not working Matthew writes puzzles and articles for Chalkdust Magazine, including the infamous crossnumber, and reads Martin Gardner books.
Fractals: Journey to the 2.7th Dimension Katie Steckles, Mathematician and Communicator
Fractals are never-ending intricate mathematical patterns. Katie Steckles shows the beauty of fractals, exploring these intriguing structures and explaining why she finds them so fascinating. From constructing simple fractal shapes to running a worldwide fractal-building project, Katie demonstrates why fractals captured her mathematical imagination and why she finds magnificence in their infinity.
About Dr Katie Steckles
Katie is a mathematician based in Manchester, who talks about mathematics at universities, schools events, festivals, on BBC radio and TV, in books and on the internet.
Stats Important! Jennifer Visser-Rogers, Chief Scientific Officer
Jen has used statistics to answer all sorts of questions about topics such as climate change and medicine. In this talk, she’ll be taking you through three of the most important concepts in statistics as she looks at extreme weather events, pharmaceutical drug trials, and more.
About Professor Jennifer Visser-Rogers
Prof Jennifer Visser-Rogers is an experienced statistical consultant and a popular science communicator and presenter. With expertise in clinical trial methodologies, she combines high-calibre research and commercial insight to advance drug development, ensuring treatments align with market needs.