Aims

• To introduce techniques for solving maths problems when you don't know what to do
• To provide an opportunity for you to attempt maths problems, with potential strategies modelled
• To provide an opportunity to consider how solutions are presented
• To introduce university admissions tests and how their questions can support skills essential for A Level Mathematics

Who will benefit from attending?

The sessions are suitable for any A level Mathematics student with an enquiring mind who wishes to develop their problem solving skillset. Problem-solving skills are essential for success at A Level Mathematics.

University admissions tests will be introduced. While not essential, the sessions would benefit students wanting to know more about these.

Teachers are welcome to attend, and specific teacher professional development information is provided at the end of the session.

Materials and equipment

• These classes are delivered as a webinar through the SOIPS Integral course page, with closed captions available (please see below for how to access the event)
• You should have some paper, a pencil, and a quiet area to work in
• While there will be opportunities to interact with the speakers, you will not need to use a webcam, microphone or calculator
• You may wish to download the handout before the event from the SOIPS Integral course page
• Teachers should download the SOIPS poster, this can be used to advertise the event and share AMSP registration student login details (to print the poster, please click on the link and download it by right clicking on the image and select 'Save image as')

Other information

We have undertaken an assessment of necessary safeguards for this session. Participants will have opportunities to interact with presenters, but won't be able to interact with each other. Our safeguarding policy and privacy notice are accessible from the MEI website.

Eligibility

All students studying AS or A Level Mathematics at a school/college in England are welcome to attend.

We run multiple (identical) sessions in the week, and you should attend one of these around your other commitments.

How to apply

There is no application form for these events, they are streamed through the SOIPS Integral course page included with AMSP registration.

If you are a student and don’t know your school/college’s AMSP registration login details, please contact your Maths teacher.

If your school/college is not registered, teachers in schools/colleges in England can register with the AMSP for a free integral account here. Please allow several working days for your registration to be processed, we regret we may not be able to process registrations submitted less than 2 working days prior to the event.

Study schedule

This event will be repeated over 2 evenings.

How to access the event

Login to Integral using the shared teacher or shared student login details for your school/college’s AMSP registration account. 

Click on the Setting Out In Problem Solving course page on the dashboard, or by going through the menu: My courses > AMSP > Setting out PS. 

We recommend you check you can access the course page in Integral as soon as possible and at least 7 days before the event date. 

If you are a teacher and you have lost your login details, please contact [email protected] as soon as possible and no later than 09:00 on the day of the event.

If you are a student and don’t know your school/college’s AMSP registration login details, please contact your Maths teacher.

FAQs

"I don't have the Setting Out In Problem Solving course in my Integral account, what do I do?"

The Setting Out In Problem Solving course is only available in AMSP school/college registration accounts. Your username will begin with amsp- or amst-. Teachers in schools/colleges in England can register with the AMSP for a free integral account here, if you are a student, please contact your Maths teacher.

"I am a student and don't know my Integral login details, what do I do?"

Contact your Maths teacher, ask for your AMSP registration login details and show them this web page. Please remember to do this as soon as possible and at least 7 days before the event to allow for plenty of time incase they need to register your school/college.

"I am a teacher, and don't know if my school/college is registered with the AMSP, what do I do?"

Check with your Head of Department, and if they are not sure, email [email protected] and ask us to check if your school/college is registered. Please allow plenty of time, at least 7 days before the event incase you need to register your school/college.

"I am a teacher, how can I tell my students about this event?"

Download the SOIPS poster, this poster can be used to advertise the event and share AMSP registration login details with students (to print the poster, please click the link and download it by right clicking on the image and select 'Save image as')

Participant feedback

[my favourite aspect was] the fact that you can participate and try problems. Also, how they inform you about opportunities.

It has been insightful to see how to approach problem solving tasks, as I am often someone who can get stuck very early on in a similar question and not know how to progress.

I thought it was very helpful, I liked the various sources of support they gave and more generalised tips for problem solving as opposed to exclusively going through specific questions.

I've just started Year 12 and was not fully aware of the significance of these admissions tests, so it was very illuminating to see what lies ahead :)

The solutions to the questions were enjoyable because I realised that the questions are not really that hard.

Key facts

• Reference:#13637
• Audience:Students, Teachers
• Target year:Year 12, Year 13
• Curriculum focus:University admissions tests
• Mathematical focus:Problem solving
• Format:Online
• Duration:2 hours
• Region:National