Routes of Unity • Conference • Easter 2005

In 2005 all the leading UK mathematical organisations unite in a single conference at Warwick University dedicated to mathematics and mathematics education.

<< Report on BCME 6 for Mathematics Today

Where was it?

BCME-6 was held at the University of Warwick • 30 Mar to 02 Apr 2005.

This conference consisted of a lively, relevant and exciting set of events - lecture, workshops, exhibitions and social occasions that offered all delegates a rich and rewarding conference experience based on mathematics and mathematical education.

BCME6 Photo Gallery

<< Easter Conference 2005 - Photo Gallery

What was it actually like then?

‘This was the best professional development event I have attended, (it was also excellent value for money), and I have returned refreshed and stimulated, buzzing with ideas for myself and the mathematics department. During the coffee breaks and lunches, it was great to exchange experiences, and talk about doing mathematics and teaching mathematics with other equally passionate and committed people. Teaching can sometimes feel like a solitary experience, and I am delighted to find a community of similarly minded people who welcomed me and valued me as an equal.’

These comments from a teacher, received after attending BCME 6, explain why after attending my first ATM conference many years ago I found the experience to be my mathematics and teaching life blood. I find the annual Easter Conference like a transfusion of energy in to my system it sets me off again for the last term of the year with renewed vigour and a bank of ideas that I never seem to get through before the next conference comes along. Now as CPD convener and Conference Leader for the ATM it is my turn to ensure that this first aid is applied to all colleagues who attend our conference. I was privileged this year to work with a great team from so many organisations, all the leading UK mathematical organisations had united in a single body, to organise a conference dedicated to mathematics and mathematics education, under the title of Routes of Unity which it did in fact turn out to be.

We were welcomed by James Nicholson, Acting Chair of BCME and the opening plenary was delivered by Professor Celia Hoyles. By 15:30 we were well into our first sessions of the conference and you could have been sharing a glass of wine with our very own editors of MT Helen Williams, Geoff Dunn, Robin Stewart or spending some time doing ‘maths around the kitchen table’ with Douglas Williams all the way from Australia. And so it went on for the next three days.

We had all the usual ATM conference trimmings including the workshop where Margaret Jones and her team did a fantastic job of allowing people to meet and mix while ‘doing’ some interesting mathematics.

Just before dinner on the first evening we were all invited to join Professor David VandeLinde the Vice Chancellor of Warwick at a drinks reception at the Warwick Institute of Mathematics. While after dinner the quiz was held in the Butterworth Hall with quiz master Mike Askew keeping us all entertained for the evening.

Thursday morning saw the first of the research papers being presented and this was a new experience for many of the ATM folk who took time out to see what this was all about. After a very pleasant lunch the MA presidential address was given by Professor Adam McBride. Before dinner we were invited to yet another drinks reception, this time by Sir Peter Williams of ACME who drew a large crowd to the Arts Centre. Many people chose to attend the Conference Dinner - a ticket only event - where the after dinner speaker was the very entertaining Rob Eastaway.

Friday continued with the same mix of sessions and research papers finishing with a hectic evening for many with the AGMs of the ATM and MA happening simultaneously and finishing just in time for revelers to get the bar to watch, listen and dance to the jazz band.

Saturday morning gave us a chance to do one last session before Dr Mike Askew closed the proceedings with a very entertaining view of education.

My thanks go to all those involved from The Association of Teachers of Mathematics, The Mathematical Association, The Royal Statistical Society, The Association of Mathematics Teachers, National Association of Numeracy and Mathematics in Colleges, Institute of Mathematics and its Applications, The Joint Mathematics Council, The National Association of Mathematics Advisors, British Society for Research in Learning Mathematics, British Society for the History of Mathematics, The London Mathematical Society, Warwick University and you our session leaders and conference goers. We can’t do it without you!

We couldn’t do it again without you so why not sign up now for the 2006 ATM Easter Conference at Edgehill College, Ormskirk 10-13 Apr 06 - ‘Maths without...’

In the current educational climate we all seem to be doing without something in our classrooms or schools. How are you coping? What can you share with others to help them cope with teaching in the 21st Century?

Maths without...but not without YOU!

Come and be part of the 2006 ATM Conference, we don’t want to be without you!

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