Fostering Inquiring Minds - Teacher Inspiration Days 2012/13


PLEASE NOTE: We're delighted to say that this event is now fully booked for day 1. 
In the event of places becoming available for days 2 and 3 we will advertise this through our newsletter - please register here if you wish to receive it. 

A series of three, free professional development days for mathematics teachers organised by the NRICH Team in Cambridge and the PRIMAS project team at the University of Nottingham.

How to book: PLEASE NOTE BOOKING FOR THIS SERIES OF EVENTS IS NOW CLOSED. If you have any queries please email Kerstin Enright (or phone 01223 766839).

Aim: To support mathematics teachers who are committed to supporting independent learners with inquiring minds.

Dates: 14 December 2012, 26 March 2013 and 17 June 2013

Venue: Centre for Mathematical Sciences, University of Cambridge


The NRICH team are working with colleagues from the PRIMAS  project in Nottingham to offer a free professional development programme for mathematics teachers from maintained sector schools/colleges in the UK. 

The Teacher Inspiration programme comprises three one-day events over the course of the 2012-13 academic year.

The programme is aimed at teachers of mathematics at Key Stages 3 and 4. Each day will be highly interactive and responsive to the issues and concerns that arise between meetings as participants explore a range of inquiry approaches with their classes.


Programme outline:

Friday 14 December 2012 - What does inquiry-learning look like?
This day will provide an opportunity to explore what an inquiry-learning classroom looks like and implications for teachers and learners.

9:30 - 10:00 Registration and Tea/Coffee
10:00 - 10:30 Introduction
What does Inquiry Based Learning look like?
10:30 - 11:45 Workshop 1: Student-led inquiry
11:45 - 1:00 Workshop 2: Tackling unstructured problems
1:00 - 1:45 Lunch
1:45 - 2:30 Planning to teach
2:30 - 3:30 Using NRICH resources to enhance your plan
Final tasks
3:30 Tea/Coffee


Tuesday 26 March 2013 – Learning concepts and student-led inquiry
How do we ‘cover’ the curriculum whilst also developing learners with inquiring minds? How do we encourage students to lead in inquiry classrooms?
These are issues that teachers raise as they try new practices in their classrooms. The day will allow teachers to share their experiences to date and work together to plan ahead.

Monday 17 June 2013 – Questions that promote reasoning and self and peer assessment
How do you plan questions that promote student reasoning and follow these up with the right responses?
How do you encourage and support students in understanding what good quality looks like in mathematics through peer and self assessment?
Learn from good practice and other teachers' experiences.


Each event will be a full day, running from approximately 10am - 4pm. Each day will be a mixture of plenary sessions and interactive workshops.

The days will link together with participants encouraged to try out and share ideas between sessions. Participants should therefore be able to attend all three days of the programme. Schools are encouraged to send up to two teachers to all three days.


About PRIMAS:

PRIMAS - Promoting Inquiry in Mathematics and Science Education across Europe -  is an EU-funded project that brings together educators across 12 countries seeking to support teachers to develop inquiry-based approaches to teaching and learning.