The FMSPW are running two courses on problem solving aimed at students aspiring to study STEM related subjects at top universities. Problem solving, the ability to tackle problems for which the solution method is not immediately clear, is a key part of mathematics. Good problem solvers, in addition to conceptual understanding and procedural fluency, need to develop other skills and attitudes: mathematical thinking to form and adapt plans of attack; keeping confident, when stuck, in their own ability to make progress; a memory of solutions to other problems that may be helpful. These courses will help dedicated students acquire these resources.
Students taking either of these courses will increase their abilities and acquire a greater appreciation and enjoyment of mathematics; be better prepared for any university problem-oriented mathematics entry papers (AEA, MAT, PAT, STEP, TMUA); and be better prepared for learning and using new mathematics at university. The two courses are:
Year 12 Introduction to Problem Solving Course
The Year 12 Introduction to Problem Solving course, which previously we ran as SUMP. This year it will be based around the freely available Foundation Modules provided by the STEP support programme (maths.org/step). Note, the Year 12 Introduction to Problem Solving course is useful whether or not students intend to sit the STEP paper in year 13.
| Who | Year 12 |
| When | Saturday 2 December 10:00-13:00 Swansea University Faraday B, Singleton Campus, Swansea |
| How | At Aberystwyth, Bangor, Cardiff, Swansea and Wrexham Glyndŵr Universities and Online on Teams |
| To book | Students are required to register to receive access to these courses by completing https://forms.gle/vbd2KA6pZ2ZqTcbw6 The course has started but students are welcome to join late. |
The format of the course will be a one hour online debrief on the previous week’s problems, drawing out any key learning points, and providing encouragement for students. Students will be expected to be self-motivated, take charge of their learning, and work on the problems between sessions ̶ in fact, this is the essential part of both courses.
All sessions will be recorded and made available anonymised to registered participants. All sessions will be English medium, but there will be support for those who study through the medium of Welsh. Any queries email e.w.clode@bangor.ac.uk