Mar 26, 2012
— read in fullWhat is Maths Busking?
How can maths help you read minds or escape being tied up? Maths busker Katie Steckles has the answers.
Can you quickly explain what Maths Busking is?
Maths Busking is an attempt to show people the surprising and fascinating side of maths through the medium of street performance. We have developed a repertoire of tricks which rely on maths as the gimmick, and we use them to try to change people’s perception that maths is boring and not something they can engage with.
Where did the idea for Maths Busking come from?
Sara Santos, from the Royal Institution, decided she wanted a new way of communicating maths which wasn’t just aimed at gifted schoolchildren and people who already do maths. She teamed up with Matt Parker, stand-up comedian and maths outreach speaker, and Steve Humble, who writes the ‘Dr Maths’ column for the Newcastle Evening Standard. They developed the concept of Maths Busking and ran training sessions to get a team together.
How did you get into Maths Busking?
I attended the first training session in Manchester, and since I love maths and love communicating it to people, it seemed to me a great and exciting new way of getting the message across. The difficult part for me was developing my communication skills, and being confident to perform in front of an audience. Taking part in Maths Busking has really helped me to be less nervous and better at expressing myself.
What’s your favourite maths trick?
I have learnt a simple method to find the cube root of a number in my head, lightning fast, which always impresses people! I also like making a pentagon from a strip of paper, by tying an overhand knot and folding it flat. All of the tricks are listed on the Maths Busking website at www.mathsbusking.com, under ‘About the shows’.
How can young people get involved in maths communication?
If you’d like to join the Maths Busking team, then get in touch by emailing info@mathsbusking.com. We have a training session on March 7 in Leeds, so you can come and learn how to busk! Another good way is to become a STEM Ambassador - once you sign up, STEM provide training and invite you to all kinds of science and maths promotion activities in your area. More information is available at www.stemnet.org
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