PUPILS from North Ayrshire primary and secondary schools are set to come up with a winning formula for the world’s top golfers this summer.
That’s because their mathematical calculations will be imprinted on the 18 pin flags at Dundonald Links during the Aberdeen Asset Management Men’s and Ladies’ Scottish Open.
The Council has teamed up with Aberdeen Asset Management, the Scottish Government and VisitScotland to encourage greater enthusiasm for maths and to promote the prevalence of maths across sport and other activities.
Making Maths Count is a Scottish Government initiative, supported by North Ayrshire Council, to encourage greater enthusiasm for maths amongst children and young people, their parents and carers, employers and the wider public.
Pupils from schools across the region are being asked to come up with maths ideas to express the numbers 1-18 on the pin flags for the two events that take place this July.
The winning expressions will appear on flags on the Thursday of both events, ensuring they will be seen on live TV around the world.
Andrew McLelland, Interim Head of Service (Learning and Improvemet) North Ayrshire Council, said: “We’re delighted to be supporting this initiative. Having both events in North Ayrshire is fantastic for the area and it’s great that our young people are getting involved.
“In North Ayrshire schools, we have invested in developing our staff and curriculum to ensure that pupils have high quality learning experiences. This is one of the many ways in which our young people are engaging in their learning in new and interesting contexts.”
Martin Gilbert, Chief Executive of Aberdeen Asset Management, said: “Maths and sport is a winning combination and through our sponsorships of the Scottish Open’s we are delighted to do our bit to make maths more engaging for pupils which is absolutely crucial.
“I remember fondly my old maths teacher, Mr Payne, who got us all excited about maths in the classroom. Hopefully with initiatives like this one more and more pupils will be looking forward to their maths lessons.”
Maureen McKenna, Executive Director of Education, Glasgow City Council and Making Maths Count chair said: “This is a fun and imaginative way for children and young people to understand that maths is a part of their everyday life – at school, at home and on the golf course!
“The children love coming up with different sums and equations to equal the hole number – I love it.”
The Aberdeen Asset Management Men’s Scottish Open on the European Tour takes place from July 13-16 and the Ladies’ Scottish Open, co-sanctioned between the Ladies European Tour and LPGA takes place from 27-30 July.
