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Pupils go plane and football crazy at UEL maths enterprise workshop

Wednesday 26 March 2008

Year 8 pupils from Rokeby School in Stratford went plane and football crazy at a maths enterprise workshop held at the University of East London (UEL) Docklands campus and West Ham United Football Club on 17-18 March.

Over 100 pupils took part in the two-day project, organised by UEL's Education and Community Partnerships team to incorporate maths skills into a range of new learning experiences.

On Monday 17 March, the pupils spent the day at UEL, touring the campus and taking part in a variety of activities, including a business challenge, taste tests of everyday foods, and an introduction to psychology based on people's perception of colour. In the SMARTlab Digital Media Institute they learnt about the aerodynamics of planes by making their own paper models.

On Tuesday 18 March, the pupils visited West Ham United's Upton Park stadium with UEL staff and student ambassadors. As well as touring the ground and training on the pitch, they took part in a sports science session and a maths activity based on football statistics.

Oliver Ibekwem (12), of Stratford, said: “I've had a lot of fun, especially making the aeroplanes - my plane flew so far it hit the wall! It’s been really good to come to an actual university and feel like you’re one of the students.”

UEL's Education and Community Partnerships team worked in partnership with West Ham’s Football in the Community team to organise the event, which was funded by the London Thames Gateway Development Corporation.

Linsey Cole, Extended Projects Officer at UEL, said: “It’s been fantastic to offer the Rokeby pupils such an innovative and exciting programme of activities, all aimed at developing their maths skills outside of the classroom and applying them to 'real world' situations.”

Israel Jones, Head of Year 8 at Rokeby School, added: “It’s been a really good event, with lots of interesting and well-organised activities. There’s a very positive ethos here at UEL and it’s definitely made the pupils more enthusiastic about the idea of coming to university.”

UEL's Education and Community Partnerships team organises a range of summer schools, master-classes and projects with local schools, colleges and community groups throughout the year. For details, call 020 8223 4271.

For details and pictures contact Daniel Cherry: 020 8223 2194

Notes to Editors

The University of East London (UEL) is a global learning community with over 28,000 students from over 120 countries world-wide. Our vision is to achieve recognition, both nationally and internationally, as a successful and inclusive regional university proud of its diversity, committed to new modes of learning which focus on students and enhance their employability, and renowned for our contribution to social, cultural and economic development, especially through our research and scholarship. We have a strong track-record in widening participation and working with industry.

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