No more assignments.

I have finally completed my dissertation and submitted it about 3 weeks ago. Overall I feel that I have completed it to the best of my ability. Two days after that I did my presentation based on my school experience in front of the staff members, my supervisor and approximately 10 other students. Before starting my presentation, I felt really nervous, because I thought that I might finish too early. All the presentations were supposed to last for 15 minutes. 10 minutes delivery and 5 minutes for questions, from the floor. We all got marked for the ability to ask interesting questions tour peers and we also had to answer our questions successfully after we completed our presentations.

Nowadays I’m busy with work and on my days off I just go to my cousins house to mingle with them, this weekend just gone, I was staying over at my cousin sisters house. I had a really nice time playing with her son and just hanging around.  I went around the evening time on Saturday, so we couldn't really go out. 

However the morning after we went out to the park considering it was a lovely day. On the way back to her house we all had some ice – cream. Overall I had a really enjoyable weekend. 

Exam season and coursework submission!

I have just submitted my placement presentation last night which counts towards 20% of my final grade :) I am quite pleased with my final draft of the presentation. I have to deliver the presentation next Friday 26^th April at 2pm. I am quite looking forward to delivering the presentation as I can reflect on my experience on carrying out the placement.

I also have to submit my placement report which needs to be between 3000–4000 words long next Wednesday 24^th April. So far I have completed 2/3 of the report and I am just looking forward to completing it. My written report counts towards 50% of my grade for the UAS module.

The final piece of assessment is the logbook which makes up for 30% of that module. This is my favourite part of the assessment as it requires me to reflect on my weekly experience of working at Wanstead High School. I enjoy writing the logbooks as I have to write a bit every week and so I don’t need to do all the written work all at once.

Overall, it has been a busy month with so many assignments to complete. I am very much looking forward to completing all my coursework’s and enjoying the sunshine. 

Institute of Mathematics at London Exhibition Centre

Today I was working at the London Excel Exhibition centre at custom house. I was working as a student ambassador; however I was representing the IMA (Institute of Mathematics and Its Applications.

There were lots of activities which we all had to be in charge of and showcase to our visitors. The activity which I was in charge of was called the ‘Travelling Salesman’. My activity involved a map of 14 different cities around the UK and a piece of string approximately 1 metre long. The aim of the game was to fit the string across all 14 different cities, making sure that they touch all the cities without overlapping. The city which a person can start with is the city which they have to end up in, by the end. This game works from starting at any one of the 14 different cities, and not just a specific one.

In the beginning, it was difficult for me to solve the puzzle, but as some time passed by I eventually got the hang of it and was able to solve it. This also motivated me to help the visitors in solving the puzzle and also asking them about how they think this game is relevant to mathematics.

Overall, the day as a whole was quite long, however it was very enjoyable as I got to meet and speak to lots of different people. Another thing which was quite interesting was that the activities which I was in charge of attracted a large audience and lots of people participated.  From this I have learnt that mathematics is an extremely exciting and interesting subject, but I do also realise that it should be presented in a creative way so as to attract a wider audience

Half term is over

Studying the module UAS (University Ambassador Scheme) which means doing placement in my chosen secondary school, means that I am up to date with pre-University timetable such as the school timetable. This week which has just passed was the half-term for all school and college/sixth – form students.

Overall not much activity has taken place over the past few weeks. I submitted my Mathematics in Society coursework a couple of weeks ago and I am still awaiting the results. I aim to get a god mark on this coursework as it took me a very long time to do and I can honestly say that I did put a lot of thought and effort into my writing.  As a result of this I am very much looking forward to knowing what mark I got.

We just recently had an Open Day on 23^rd February. Despite the chilly weather, it was a great success. Attending an Open Day provides an opportunity for prospective students to view the campus and accommodation services. Also they can attend taster sessions and ask the academics any questions they have regarding the programme they wish to study. They can ask the University Ambassadors any questions they have regarding accommodation, University social life and any other non – academic questions which may come to mind.  Our next Open Day is Saturday 13^th April, from 10am to 3pm. It is open on all three campuses; Avery Hill, Greenwich and Medway, for all the programmes offered at the University of Greenwich. So for all our readers, who may have missed this Open Day which has just passed, I would strongly advise you to attend the next Open Day. To book, you can give us a call on 0208 331 9000.

Working as a Maths Ambassador on the Isle of Sheppey

Last Thursday, I was working as a student ambassador at the Isle of Sheppey at the Isle of Sheppey Academy. The isle of Sheppey is an island off the northern coast of Kent, England in the Thames Estuary, some 46 miles (74 km) to the east of London.

My role was to support two Further Maths Support Programme co-coordinators in delivering presentations to year 10 and 11 students from the Academy, encouraging them to study Mathematics up to the age of 18 by studying A Levels in Mathematics and Further Mathematics.  My role was to deliver a 5 minute talk about the degree I am  studying which is BSc Hons Mathematics, what my degree entails and where I hope to go after the completion of my undergraduate degree. I also outlined the differences between school/ college life and university life. The main difference which I strongly emphasized was the need for more independent study at undergraduate level.

There were lots of useful hints and tips with regards to what the major topics of mathematics students should be confident in. Some of these topics are; algebra, understanding and the use of trigonometry, standard angles and their ratios, Pythagorean triples, Language – identity, equation, expression, ratio, root, solution, asymptote. 

One of the major points which was stressed throughout the duration of the presentation was that students who are interested in studying Mathematics and Further Mathematics at A Level was that they should continue to keep practicing throughout the summer holidays. Of course this is not what most students expect to hear, spending their summer holidays studying maths, however, for those keen students who are eager to do well and gain top grades on their A Levels and gain admission into University it is essential.

One of the reasons mathematics is so useful in the modern world is that the amount of technology we are using is increasing all the time.  New technology relies on a lot of mathematics. In computing and mobile technology for example, programming requires mathematically proficient people. Games depend on using A level maths idea to create realistic artificial environments. Mobile networks involve the application of techniques introduced in Decision maths.

Unfortunately the supply in the UK of good mathematicians is not enough to keep pace with the demand by employers, - hence there are plenty of career opportunities for mathematically able young people.

Back from Bangladesh

Hey, my dear reader’s I’m back from my home country and what have I come back to? Bad weather. Well truthfully, it wasn't much better back home. It was very cold and chilly, just without the rain and snow.

So during my holidays I had lots of fun. I went back for my cousin’s wedding, as I mentioned in my previous blog prior to leaving for my trip. There were three major parties. Ceremonies throughout the two weeks I was there, all of which took place after the New Year. 

On the 2^nd of Jan was the mehndi party, which is a traditional party which can take place a few days before or even the day before the wedding. All three events were held in the evening at or after 7pm. The bride (my cousins) wore bright yellow and all her friends and I wore purple. I believe it was a good contrast. The evening was enjoyable overall. Relaxing with the family and taking pictures with my cousin.  There was also a yummy cake that we fed the bride and she fed us, and at the end of the evening the cake was cut up and distributed among the guests who attended the party.

On the 4^th of Jan (coinciding with my brother’s birthday) was the day of the wedding, again it was an evening programme. This time everyone wore different colours and the bride wore red – similar to chilly red colour. I wore hot pink and my mum wore royal blue. This time I guess the event was more emotional compared to the mehndi party as we were giving the bride away at the end of the night. However before the sad moment arrived, we all did have great fun.

On the 8^th January was the walima party and this time we had to travel to Dhaka from Sylhet where the ceremony was taking place. The walima party is from the groom’s side where as the wedding party is from the bride’s side. Considering it takes between 4 to 6 hours by car to get to Dhaka, we all had to wake up quite early. This time it involved an overnight stay at a hotel in Dhaka as it would be too tiring to get there, attend the ceremony and then come back to Sylhet all in one day. The ceremony was once again took place in the evening. The day after the programme, everyone went back to Sylhet and the bride and groom came back to stay with us for a few days.

Overall it was a really good holiday and I enjoyed it very much.

One more week to go

Yay! It’s only one more week to go before I fly out to Bangladesh with my Mum. I fly out on Wednesday 26^th December. I’m so excited. This year I am going to attend my cousin sister’s wedding ceremony. Last year I went over there for my cousin brother’s wedding (her elder brother). It was a really interesting and exciting experience, so I am definitely looking forward to going back this winter holidays too.

I still haven’t started packing yet, as I still have lots to do in terms of my University studies over the next two days. Tomorrow I have my Mathematics in Society lecture at 10am in the morning. Uff, I really dislike early morning lectures. Considering I’m not a morning person, I think afternoon lectures suit me best. Well I am more alert and awake anyways.

On Friday, I have my placement at Wanstead High School, however considering it will be a half-day for the students, seeing as it’s the end of term, I will only have to participate in two lessons, and I still have to plan a starter activity for my Year 9 class. Over the past several weeks I have been lo0oking forward to carrying out my placement at Wanstead High School. The staff and students are all friendly and helpful, so I think so far my placement is going successfully, and this experience also makes me look forward to being a full-time teacher, sometime in the future.

It’s quite a short blog this week, but there’s not much else to say. Who knows? I may have some exciting stories with regards to my adventures in Bangladesh to tell you about after the New Year. So till then my readers, keep reading J