Collie dogs from Highland farms to teach maths to children across Scotland
Five border collies will take the lead in a series of online maths lessons created by the Royal Highland Education Trust (RHET). Collie Dog Maths Tales will introduce Scottish primary school children to real maths problems on farms across Scotland. These events are part of the Maths Week Scotland programme, which runs from 23 - 29 September 2024, coordinated by National Museums Scotland and funded by the Scottish Government.
Press images available here.
In each session, children will join a different collie for a virtual walk around farms in Aberdeenshire, Loch Lomond, Argyll, Stirling and the Highlands, learning about the maths and science they encounter along the way. The pups will explore the ways maths is used for growing crops, herding sheep, caring for chickens and milking cows.
Collie Dog Maths Tales sessions for primary schools will take place on Wednesday 25 and Thursday 26 of September, and Tuesday 1 and Wednesday 3 of October. A public session is also planned for 9am on Sunday 6 October, when families enjoying breakfast together will discover where the milk in their cereal comes from.
Collie Dog Maths Tales has been devised in response to this year’s Maths Week Scotland theme Maths Tales. The programme includes over 100 events, from the Borders to the Highlands and Islands, that explore different ways maths can be used to tell stories.
Maths Week Scotland coordinator Ailsa Brien said:
“This year sees the eighth edition of Maths Week Scotland and we’re delighted to have such a creative and diverse programme of activities and events. The fun and engaging Collie Dog Maths Tales sessions highlight the importance of maths in everyday life. Pups Pip, Sweep, Tweed, Gem and Jura prove that maths is pawsome!”
RHET Learning and Development Coordinator Sara Smith said:
“We have some great farms to visit and a selection of different dogs to meet, who will introduce learners to some real life on the farm maths problems and solutions. There will also be follow up learning activities based on the questions in the farm walks for those joining in to use in the classroom. “
At the National Museum of Scotland, families can enjoy maths tales together in the family storybook corner, unleash their creativity with LEGO® bricks, take robots for a spin or delve into strategy games. Elsewhere, highlights include mathematical story trails through the farm and woodland at Almond Valley Heritage Centre in Livingston; meet the author events online; and story time workshops in primary schools across Perth and Kinross.
Maths Week Scotland is supporting a host of classroom activities for schools across the country, encouraging innovation and participation. Activity packs are available to download from the Maths Week Scotland website, with ideas of how to celebrate and enjoy the week for everyone from early years to secondary school pupils. Meanwhile, the daily Maths Week Scotland challenges will return, with accompanying BBC Bitesize learning videos setting out how to tackle them.https://www.mathsweek.scot/schools/learning-resources/smc-maths-in-motion
National Museums Scotland is working with a wide range of organisations and collaborators to support and deliver Maths Week Scotland activity across Scotland. For a full list of contributors and to view the whole programme, visit: www.mathsweek.scot
Notes to editors
1. National Museums Scotland is one of the leading museum groups in the UK and Europe and it looks after collections of national and international importance. The organisation provides loans, partnerships, research and training in Scotland and internationally. Our individual museums are the National Museum of Scotland, the National Museum of Flight, the National Museum of Rural Life and the National War Museum. The National Museums Collection Centre in Edinburgh houses conservation and research facilities as well as collections not currently on display.
Twitter: @NtlMuseumsScot
Facebook: www.facebook.com/NationalMuseumsScotland
Instagram: @NationalMuseumsScotland
2. Bheireadh Oifis nam Meadhanan eadar-theangachadh Gàidhlig den bhrath-naidheachd seachad do bhuidhinn mheadhanan bharantaichte. Cuiribh fios do dh'Oifis nam Meadhanan airson bruidhinn air cinn-latha freagarrach.
3. The Royal Highland Education Trust (RHET) was established in 1999. It provides free resources, farm visits and class speakers which facilitate learning around food, farming, countryside and the environment.
Twitter: @theRHET
Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheRoyalHighlandEducationTrust