Introduction
The Millennium Mathematics Project (MMP) is an award-winning maths education and outreach initiative for ages 3 to 19 and the general public, involving staff in both the Faculty of Mathematics and the Faculty of Education. We aim to give the widest possible opportunities to experience a rich, imaginative, challenging mathematical education. Our innovative free online resources reach users worldwide, and we work face-to-face with thousands of school students, teachers and members of the public each year.
The project consists of a family of complementary programmes, including our very successful NRICH and Plus websites. We focus on developing problem-solving skills, increasing mathematical understanding, confidence and enjoyment, and promoting creative and rich approaches to mathematics. Our resources and activities cover all stages of school education, from early years (ages 3 - 5) through primary and secondary education right through to the transition from school to university at age 18, and include support and professional development for teachers. We encourage lifelong learning with hands-on maths events and resources for families and the wider public.
MMP programmes and activities
Our activities include:
- The NRICH website publishes free online maths education resources for ages 3 to 19, focusing on problem-solving.
- Plus is a free online mathematics magazine aimed at the interested general reader, including older students (16+).
- We organise events for schools, both online and face-to-face, including student workshops, teacher professional development, and lifelong learning events for families, especially as part of the Cambridge Festival;
- The MMP hosts the regional East of England co-ordination for the Further Mathematics Support Programme.
- We co-ordinate STIMULUS, a student volunteer programme creating teaching placements in local Cambridge primary and secondary schools for volunteer Cambridge University students to help with maths, science and computing classes
We also worked closely with the Underground Mathematics project, which developed resources to support post-16 mathematics, and have developed theSTEP Support Programme, supporting potential university applicants.
Impact and reach
The project is active nationally and internationally, and has a significant impact and reach. In the 2018/19 school year our web-based mathematical resources attracted over 10 million visits from users worldwide and more than 35 million page views; around 10,000 school students and more than 4,000 teachers were involved in our face-to-face activities and events; and the STIMULUS programme created around 200 placements for Cambridge student volunteers in local schools.
In 2006 the Queen presented the project with the Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education, honouring ‘outstanding achievement and excellence’ at world-class level.
To find out more about all our activities and resources please see the MMP website: maths.org
