Surrey students win poster competition
Thursday 18 June 2009
Three university students have been named as winners of the 2009 Further Mathematics Network student poster competition. Robert Carthy and Mohamad Azhar Hassan, both first year mathematics undergraduates at the University of Surrey, won a prize with their poster about the Zeta function. Julian Mak, a fourth year mathematics undergraduate at the University of Durham, also won a prize with his poster entitled "In search of the shape of the universe".
Robert Carthy (Surrey, left) and Julian Mak (Durham, right) with Richard Browne of the Further Mathematics Network (centre)
Copies of both winning posters will help pupils in schools and colleges throughout England to gain a better understanding of the importance of these fascinating subjects and the mathematics they depend upon.
The competition challenges university undergraduates to produce a poster explaining a mathematical topic they have studied as part of their degree course in a way that is accessible and inspiring for A-level mathematics students.
The free winning posters will be distributed to schools and colleges across England to help inspire more young people to take up mathematics and related subjects at university.
Rolls-Royce, the sponsors of the competition, hosted the presentation of the awards by Richard Browne of the Further Mathematics Network at the Rolls-Royce Learning and Career Development Centre in Derby on 18th June. The prize winners, Robert and Julian, were introduced to Rolls-Royce mathematicians and engineers and given a tour of the facility that highlighted the vital importance of mathematics within modern engineering companies.
Robert Carthy with his poster about the Zeta Function.
Richard Browne said: "These posters explain university level mathematics in a very clear and accessible way. A-level students will be able to learn some new mathematics from them. The tour of Rolls-Royce has shown just how important mathematics is within an engineering company, not just in engineering design, but also as a vital tool in managing effective quality-control and marketing."
Erica Tyson, Resourcing & Deployment Consultant at Rolls-Royce, said: "It is vital that young people develop the mathematical skills that are needed in today's society. We are delighted to support the Further Mathematics Network in its mission to promote the take-up of Mathematics and Further Mathematics at A-level and to make students aware of the key role mathematics plays in science and engineering.