Case Study: MathsCity – The home of hands-on maths

Audience group: Primary or Elementary, Lower secondary or Middle school, Upper secondary or High school, Sixth Form or Junior College, Families (adults and children), University students, Young adults, Adults, Retired

Audience interest level: Uninterested, Receptive, Engaged

Topics: Hands-on, Shape, Problem Solving

Origins of the Project

MATHSWORLDUK aims to transform the UK public’s perception of mathematics - revealing the engaging, aesthetic and surprising side of maths and empowering people to explore mathematics for themselves.

The core MathsWorldUK objectives are:

• To create a world-class visitor attraction in Leeds City Centre (which lacks any STEM visitor centre), that presents maths as playful, exciting, relevant and accessible
• To welcome children and families each year from diverse economic, social and cultural backgrounds and inspire them to discover, explore and enjoy mathematical thinking and ideas
• To build young people’s skills, confidence and interest in mathematics and their desire to learn more – particularly targeting those groups who face the greatest barriers in engaging with maths
• To explode negative perceptions of mathematics – among young people and the parents, carers and teachers who influence their career choices – through exciting challenges, surprising applications and inspiring role models

MathsCity is the first step on this journey. The idea of MathsCity emerged in Summer 2020, when it became clear that the Covid-19 pandemic would prevent the proposed UK tour of Explore Maths taking place as planned. As visitor attractions remained closed across the country and Leeds City Council, like all local authorities, rallied to cope with the social and economic impacts of the crisis, this was clearly a very difficult time to be building advocacy, support and funding for a major new capital development.

That said, the need for MathsWorldUK’s offer was greater than ever as schoolchildren across the country fell behind in their learning - this was most marked for those in the most economically and socially deprived areas, whose home environments were least suited to home study. It was therefore proposed that MWUK establish an initial physical presence in central Leeds, allowing MWUK to engage with local people and to build brand awareness; to show what it can do and test out ideas and new exhibits with the public; and to start building the track record and evidence base that would be needed in rallying support and funding for the new Mathematics Discovery Centre.

Practicalities

Empty retail units were becoming increasingly visible across the city. We approached most landlords in the city centre. Trinity Leeds offered MathsWorldUK a unit next to the popular Trinity Kitchen food court, as an optimal site for MathsCity. This was offered rent free (the rateable value of the unit is £121,000), with MathsWorldUK responsible for bills and business rates.

The exhibits created for the touring exhibition form the core of the exhibition, supplemented with new exhibits linked to geometry, so as to create a stand-alone visitor experience. Most exhibits were bought from Mathematikum and selected by a committee within MathsWorldUK. Designers and museum fit-out companies were commissioned, and staff were recruited (during a recruitment crisis), including a manager and a team of explainers. There was also some legal work that needed to be completed.

Fundraising was a significant part of the work. Access to the discovery centre is by pre-booked tickets, which cost £6.50 for adults and £4.50 for children, plus a booking fee. Tickets can be purchased on the door, but the number of tickets available to purchase in each half-hour time slot is limited, to regulate visitor numbers. We also offer school bookings, and exclusive hire of the venue for larger groups by arrangement.

The designers were briefed to incorporate accessibility into the design of the space, and the whole discovery centre is wheelchair accessible, with ramps to access the upper section. Some but not all of the exhibits are accessible for wheelchair users, and many exhibits are not accessible for blind or partially sighted visitors. We have provided written information cards alongside all exhibits for people to find out more, and explainers are on hand to talk to visitors as needed.

We recruited a freelance marketing company to work for the first three months of MathsCity. Fondant marketing ran a Facebook campaign and contacted local newspapers. School mailouts were paid for and we featured on local radio and television.

Evaluation and feedback

Between 5th October and 28th February MathsCity received 4676 visitors, of which over 500 were school groups. By the end of February half term 2022 we were #72 of 301 ‘Things to do in Leeds’ on TripAdvisor.

For the first three months we have only run light touch evaluation. Less formal initial evaluation with school groups shows an average of 4.2/5 for enjoyment from students. Feedback includes:

• ‘It was more than anything I could’ve expected! I really enjoyed it!’
• ‘I thought it was going to be boring but it was really fun’

This encapsulates exactly what we are trying to achieve. There are different ways to experience maths and for each person there is a way they can enjoy maths. Full independent evaluation is the next phase of the project.

Feedback we have received in messages and online reviews includes:

“We decided on the spur of the moment to book one last thing during the October half-term and we are so pleased we did. The staff were helpful, friendly and really kind. They took notice of the interests of them both. The children found it easy to talk to any of them and ask any questions they had. We spent over an hour and twenty minutes there and it was talked about all day. Would recommend it to anyone who wants to try something different. Hopefully this can become a bigger space one day!”

“Would highly recommend MathsCity - in particular, it is a great place to visit with people of all different ages. We loved it as adults, but we could see everyone from teenagers to toddlers having a brilliant time. A perfect choice if you have lots of different age groups in your party. We will definitely be returning soon!”

“Wow!! What a place MathsCity is, in Trinity Leeds. We went today and spent 90 minutes doing all sorts of puzzles and learning through play. Our children were in their element and found it mentally stimulating, and whilst some bits were too hard, there was plenty to keep them entertained. There are around 30 puzzles and experiments for big and old to play on and the best thing is that if you don’t have a child and/or you don’t want to bring them, it is suitable for grownups too!!”

“We had the most brilliant time – as one girl put it, ‘It was amazing, and I’ve asked my parents to take me back there’. The exhibits at MathsCity are wide-ranging and they are accessible for everyone, irrespective of their mathematical ability.”

“The pupils were fully engaged and shared in a brilliant activity: Leonardo’s Dome. Set up by the very helpful staff, the pupils very rapidly built up the dome. It was mesmerizing to see it progress and they loved climbing inside it at the end! I thoroughly recommend MathsCity to anyone who likes to solve puzzles and problems, irrespective of their age.” - Head of Mathematics at The Grammar School at Leeds

More information

MathsCity website: mathscity.co.uk