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
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 session 3rd December 10.00-13.00 Swansea University Faraday B, Singleton Campus Cardiff University Abacws 338, Senghennydd Road 17 sessions Tuesdays 6pm to 7pm– starting Tuesday 11th of October 2022 Ar-lein/Online 11, 18, 25 Oct 2022; 8, 15, 22, 29 Nov 2022; 13 Dec 2022; 17, 24, 31 Jan 2023; 7, 14, 28 Feb 2023; 7 & 14 March 2023 |
| How | Face-to-face session at Aberystwyth, Bangor, Cardiff, Swansea or Wrexham Glyndŵr University and 17 sessions online on Teams |
| To book | Students are required to register to receive access to these courses by completing https://forms.gle/Xx2pRqvXk5MATUCS8 |
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