Maths Ideas for July & August

Ballybrown NS received an Award from Science Foundation Ireland recently. As we prepare for the Summer holidays, here are some items of interest

With the School year coming to an end for all, we wish all our readers well over the summer months.
Hopefully you will have some relaxing time ahead and perhaps a little travel. As you go, do remember that Maths is everywhere for us to see and enjoy as you attend street festivals, theatres, concerts, museums etc. over the weeks ahead. Below we have a list of places and events to take in over the Summer as you may be travelling about.
Doubtless many will find themselves travelling with children. Keep them entertained and develop their maths with I Spy activities designed by Pam Buchanan – read below for details.
We also have our usual anchor piece by Douglas Buchanan who looks at how parent's motivation influences student's academic outcomes and Douglas also provides his monthly puzzles.
Colm Mulcahy's latest Blog : The Atlas of Irish Mathematics: Donegal will appear on Maths Ireland website tonight.  
We look forward to linking up with you again in September as we launch another exciting Maths Week.  Schools can expect to receive our posters early in September and we hope they will spark student involvement in what with your help will be a bigger and better Maths Week than ever before. We will start posting events on the website in September and remember you can attend events, participate in online events or organise your own events.

News: We don't need to teach Computer Science and Coding in our schools
This at least is the opinion of Simon Lewis primary school principal and former IT professional in arecent article on the Journal.ie. Simon is a long time advisor to Maths Week and was the instigator of Maths Week Targetboards. His arguments are based on experience and reality on the ground in schools and the article is well worth a read and reflection.  
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Things to do on your Summer Holidays

STEM EVENTS and PLACES TO VISIT
Northern Ireland
W5 at the OdysseyBelfast - the only interactive science centre on the island of Ireland. Great for kids
Armagh Planetarium Ireland's first STEM Centre. Planetarium shows and interactive exhibitions 
For LEGO fans: Bricklive Belfast August 3- 6^th  
For Aeronautics fans: Airfield Open day 23^rd July
National Museums Northern Ireland have plenty to interest the visitor at Ulster Museum,  Ulster Folk and Transport Museum and Ulster American Folkpark

Republic of Ireland
Ardnacrusha Dam: ESB are inviting schools and the public to visit Ireland's largest hydroelectric scheme from 1^st of July -31^st of August
There are Heritage Sites in every region and the OPW are offering all children under the age of 12 free entry into all Heritage sites run by the OPW commencing July 1^st

 Cork: Our friends at Blackrock Castle Observatory and Lifetimelab  will have exhibitions and workshops relating to maths, science and engineering

 Discovery centres: 
There are visitor centres all around that have a STEM aspect. Check out list of Discovery Centres to find one near you. We hope to be working with many Discovery Centres in the coming year to develop maths activities. 

 And if you're crossing the water:
The London Science Museum is ever popular with all ages and  has a new maths gallery. 
National Museum of Scotland  http://www.nms.ac.uk/national-museum-of-scotland/whats-on/summer-holiday/

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Activities 
STEM Festivals:
The Maths Week team will be a part of the STEMZone at Ireland's largest street theatre festival in Waterford:  Spraoi and SprÓg Waterford Aug 4^th – 6^th

The Festival of Curiosity Dublin 2017 - The Festival of Curiosity where art meets science, technology and design. July 20 – July 23

100 day Summer Challenge - keep your maths skills sharp with this daily free challenge. Weve been doing them everyday and they are quite challenging, but great variation in them. Aimed at post-primary pupils, teachers and others for the summer. See details here.