Maths for teachers of A Level Biology

Overview

Maths for A level Biology is a course for teachers wishing to build their confidence in teaching the mathematical requirements (from page 24) of A level Biology. This course is being run in partnership with the Association for Science Education as part of the ‘Mathematics for Biology Teacher’ project (MfBT) with support from the department for education.

Aims

• Improve mathematical subject knowledge
• Develop confidence in teaching the mathematical elements of Biology
• Develop confidence in working with technology
• To provide opportunities to interact with course tutors and other delegates in a small group to discuss subject knowledge, resources and teaching ideas

Who will benefit from attending?

These sessions are aimed at teachers of Biology or trainee teachers of Biology who would like to increase their confidence in teaching the mathematical content of Biology.

If you are unable to attend live sessions then you may like to consider our On Demand Core Maths Foundations course. This will enable you to study a range of mathematical topics at a time that suits you.

Content

As well as exploring pedagogy, embedding maths and strengthening cross curricular links, this course covers:

• Arithmetic and numerical computation (including percentages, ratios and estimation)
• Measures of central tendency and spread
• Gradients and rates of reaction
• Representation and interpretation of data
• Exponentials and logarithms
• Correlation
• Statistical testing

Materials and Equipment

During online sessions, we give delegates opportunities to discuss ideas with each other in breakout rooms. Participants should expect to be proactive in communicating during sessions, so we strongly encourage the use of microphones and webcams. 

Other Information

These events will be run in Zoom. Teachers who sign up will be emailed in the days prior to the sessions and again on the day of each session with a link to register for the meeting in order to receive a link to the Zoom room.

This teacher CPD course, and others to follow, are part of the ASE and AMSP 'Mathematics for Biology Teachers' project (MfBT), supported by the Department for Education. The project aims to develop the capabilities and confidence of biology teachers in their use of mathematics within the post 16 context, promote the value of studying level 3 mathematics to post 16 biology students, promote the provision of Core Maths by schools and colleges with uptake by a wider group of their post 16 students, and highlight the 'maths rich' nature of biology in different educational phases and careers. For more information about this project, and to get involved, contact [email protected]

Eligibility

All teachers in England are eligible for this course, however free places are available only to teachers in state-funded schools, colleges and academies in England. Applications for free places will be checked to verify eligibility.

Teachers must ensure that they are able to attend the live sessions before applying for a place as our courses are subject to very high demand: please do not apply for a place if you will not be able to attend at least 75% of sessions.

Cost

This course is free of charge to teachers working in state-funded schools and colleges in England. For others the course fee is £195.

Study Schedule

All online sessions will begin at 4:15pm and run for up to 90 minutes.

Participant feedback