Problem solving courses
We run problem solving courses, free of charge, for students in years 10-13.
Years 10 and 11
A series of after-school problems classes intended for students in years 10 and 11 is being offered by Eve Pound at the School of Mathematics and Statistics.
The course is free for all students in local schools. To book places on this course or for further enquiries, contact Dr James Cranch at somas-outreach@sheffield.ac.uk (mentioning which school year you're in, and at which school).
Dates and times for the 2020/21 academic year will be available soon.
Year 12
The Year 12 Advanced Problem-Solving course has three aims:
- develop students' mathematical thinking
- increase students' confidence in solving unstructured problems
- improved preparation for AEA, MAT or STEP the following year
The problems in the course are based solely on the year 12 AS pure mathematics syllabus. Participating students are expected to solve problems in class on whiteboards or on paper.
The course is free for all sixth-form students and is led by Dr Dimitrios Roxanas (d.roxanas@sheffield.ac.uk). To book places on this course or for further enquiries, contact Dr James Cranch (somas-outreach@sheffield.ac.uk), stating that you're a Y12 student and including which school you're studying at.
Dates and times
These online sessions are held on Tuesdays, 4.30pm-6pm, fortnightly.
2020:
- 6 October: Algebra 1
- 20 October: Geometry 1
- 3 November: Sequences 1
- 17 November: Algebra 2
- 1 December: Geometry 2
- 15 December: Differentiation
2021:
- 26 January
- 9 February
- 23 February
- 9 March
- 23 March
- 20 April
- 4 May
- 18 May
Year 13
This course extends the knowledge and skills introduced in the year 12 Advanced Problem-Solving course.
It is suitable for students preparing for the MAT examination in November, and for those students interested in doing the SoMaS/AMSP STEP preparation course later in the year. The course is also suitable for those students simply interested in developing their mathematical problem solving skills.
The course is free for all Y13 students. To book places on this course or for further enquiries, contact Dr James Cranch at somas-outreach@sheffield.ac.uk (mentioning which school you're at, and whether you're a Y13 student).
Dates and times
These online sessions are held on Thursdays, 4.30pm-6.30pm, every week with a gap for half term:
- 8 October 2020: Algebra 1
- 15 October 2020: Trigonometry
- 22 October 2020: Series
- 5 November 2020: Inequalities
- 12 November 2020: Divisibility 1
- 19 November 2020: Algebra 2
- 26 November 2020: Vectors
- 3 December 2020: Proof
- 10 December 2020: Calculus
- 17 December 2020: Divisibility 2
STEP classes
The Sixth Term Entry Papers (STEP) are a series of three hard mathematics examinations taken at the end of school Year 13. A small number of universities make offers dependent upon it.
We offer a series of classes, themed around topics examinable in STEP, available to any student who holds a university offer in a technical subject.
These are suitable both for students who plan to take STEP to satisfy a university offer, or those who wish to develop their problem-solving skills to take a demanding degree course in a mathematics or a related technical subject.
You can apply to attend this course through the Advanced Mathematics Support Programme: