By Andrea Lambrou

Copyright dailyrecord

A Rutherglen primary is just one of the schools taking part in this year’s Maths Week Scotland (September 22-28). Bankhead Primary is among a number of schools involved in the ‘Wild Maths’-themed event, now in its ninth year. Funded by the Scottish Government and coordinated by National Museums Scotland, Maths Week Scotland features over 75 events for families and schools across Scotland as well as almost 20 online webinars and competitions. All are aimed at turning Scotland into a maths-positive nation. Activities at local visitor attractions include Glasgow Museums Resource Centre’s Ancient Egyptian Maths and Science workshop for schools which explores how maths and science were used to help build the pyramids and move huge statues. A special Museum on the Moo-ve session at the National Museum of Rural Life in East Kilbride will see primary school pupils use maths related problem-solving skills to work out how to move an Ayrshire cow off the farm. For under-fives, the attraction is also hosting a maths-themed Tractors Tots taster session. Maths Week Scotland features over 20 self-led maths trails in museums and heritage sites across the country, many of which are available all year round. These include guides to the engineering of Glasgow’s Clyde Bridges and the Forth and Clyde Canal. At the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh, children’s author, David McPhail will host Legends, Myths and Maths , a fun-filled, interactive talk for families exploring the myths, stories, wildlife and landscapes of Scotland, with hidden maths. The Museum is also running Wild Maths for Wee Ones. Elsewhere in Scotland, Eigg and Muck Primary Schools will partner with the Scottish Wildlife Trust to study bird migration and weather data across the islands. Almond Valley Heritage Trust is hosting a hands-on outdoor maths programme encouraging families to take on fun challenges, solve puzzles, and uncover the hidden numbers in nature’s growing cycles. Digital Skills Education is expected to reach thousands of pupils through its Defend the Rhino with Maths and AI event, an interactive online experience where young people will see how data and machine learning can be used to tackle wildlife poaching. The University of Dundee’s Leverhulme Research Centre will challenge 150 S1 and S2 pupils to solve the case of a missing bird of prey in Operation Raptor Rescue which applies maths to tracking, biology and criminology. This year’s Maths Week Scotland programme includes partnerships with conservation organisations including the Scottish Wildlife Trust, the RSPB, the Scottish Seabird Centre and the Marine Conservation Society, and features events in schools, museums and libraries as well as activities aimed at home learners. Holly Rumble, Maths Week Scotland coordinator at National Museums Scotland, said: ” The Wild Maths theme of this year’s Maths Week Scotland programme illustrates that maths is all around us, not just in the classroom. “Organisations from the Borders to the Highlands have developed an engaging set of events that we hope will encourage people of all ages to approach maths in new and exciting ways, from spotting patterns in bird migration on our islands to hunting for natural shapes in our local parks. “School pupils will also have the opportunity to see how maths can be used to address a number of global conservation issues. It’s an inspiring line-up and we’re greatly looking forward to this year’s event.” Cabinet Secretary for Education, Jenny Gilruth said: “This Maths Week I am pleased to see there is so much opportunity for families, schools and the wider community to have fun with maths. Ensuring that our young people have the confidence, knowledge and skills to use maths in real life contexts remains a core part of our ongoing work to update the school curriculum. “I’d encourage all young people to enjoy the activities on offer, use their learning from the classroom and see how much maths impacts on all our lives.” *Don’t miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here . And did you know Lanarkshire Live had its own app? Download yours for free here .