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 13 Preparing for STEP
The Year 13 Preparing for STEP course will be built around the STEP II and STEP III modules provided by the STEP support programme.
| Who | Year 13 |
| When | Face-to-face sessions 30 September & 25 November 10.00-13.00 Swansea University Faraday B, Singleton Campus, Swansea Cardiff University Abacws 3.38, Senghennydd Road, Cardiff CF24 4AG Bangor University S6 Hirael, Welsh for Adults Centre, Dean Street, Bangor LL57 1UT Glyndŵr Wrexham 25 Novemeber 10.00-13:00 – John Troth Lecture Theatre, Mold Rd, Wrexham LL11 2AW 18 sessions. Online on Tuesdays 6pm to 7pm– starting Tuesday 3 October 2023 Online 3, 10, 17, 24 Oct 2023; 7, 14 Nov 2023; 5 & 12 Dec 2023; 16, 23, 30 Jan 2024; 6, 20, 27 Feb 2024; 5 March 2024 |
| How | Face-to-face session at Aberystwyth, Bangor, Cardiff, Swansea or Wrexham Glyndŵr University and 16 sessions online on Teams |
| To book | Students are required to register to receive access to these courses by completing https://forms.gle/cANFUSe1CMstnEvo8 |
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