Engineering Professors’ Council

Maths Working Group Report – July 2008

Despite the inevitable focus on getting the Mathematics for Engineering unit accredited and available when the new Advanced Engineering Diploma (Level 3) is launched in September 2008, the more general work of the Maths Working Group (MWG) continues.

The MWG met on 4th June and considered the following issues:

“More Maths Grads”

This HEFCE funded project is progressing well. The purpose is to increase the number of students taking any STEM course which involves mathematics. The MWG are supporting it by publicising its activities and providing engineering role models.

The “Two Maths at GCSE” issue

This debate has reached a critical stage with the suggestion that one GCSE might be developed in advance of the other. The MWG feels that such a separation would be disastrous, and whatever the title and focus eventually chosen for each exam, both should be compulsory. The second exam should also count in schools league tables.

NCETM

This centre continues to establish itself as the National Centre of Expertise. Its extensive  regional organisation appear to be interacting effectively with teachers in schools, and its website is becoming a popular source of materials and advice of all kinds.

The Reform Report

This recently published report draws attention to the traditional culture in the UK of public personalities including MPs ‘boasting’ of being unable to understand mathematics! This is not true across the rest of Europe and we all need to take every opportunity to point out the absurdity of this attitude as we move into the 21st Century.

Advanced Engineering Diploma

It is becoming clear that, despite EPC (and others) having flagged the importance of Teacher support and development if the new Diplomas are to succeed, this is not being felt in the schools. The chairman is to discuss this further with the DCSF.

(A more detailed report on the Engineering Diploma is given elsewhere.)

FJM    2.7.08