Mathematical Association facts for kids
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| Abbreviation | MA |
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| Formation | 1871 |
| Legal status | Non-profit organisation and registered charity |
| Purpose | Professional organisation for mathematics educators |
| Location |
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Region served
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UK |
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Main organ
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MA Council President – Professor Nira Chamberlain (2023-2024) |
| Website | https://www.m-a.org.uk |
The Mathematical Association is a group in the UK that helps teachers and students learn and teach mathematics. It's like a club for people who love maths and want to make learning it better for everyone. This organization works to improve how maths is taught across the country.
Contents
The Story of the Mathematical Association
The Mathematical Association started a long time ago, in 1871. Back then, it was called the "Association for the Improvement of Geometrical Teaching." Its main goal was to make geometry easier to understand.
In 1897, the group changed its name to the Mathematical Association. This new name showed that they wanted to help with all areas of maths, not just geometry. It was the very first group in England created just for teachers of a specific school subject.
Celebrating Isaac Newton
In March 1927, the Association held a special three-day meeting. This event was in Grantham, to remember Sir Isaac Newton 200 years after he passed away. Many famous scientists attended, including Sir J. J. Thomson, who discovered the electron. Sir Frank Watson Dyson, the King's Astronomer, and the famous mathematician G. H. Hardy were also there.
First Female President
In 1951, something important happened. Mary Cartwright became the first woman to be the president of the Mathematical Association. This was a big step forward for women in mathematics.
Supporting Maths Education
In the 1960s, schools in the UK were changing. The Association supported the "11-plus" system, which was a test for students at age 11. They also offered a special teaching award called the "Diploma of the Mathematical Association." This helped university students become better maths teachers.
What the Association Does
The main goal of the Mathematical Association is to "make teaching mathematics better." They also want to help students and teachers talk to each other about maths.
Since 1894, they have published a magazine called The Mathematical Gazette. This magazine shares new ideas and information about maths education. The Association also holds an annual meeting. This meeting is part of a bigger event called the British Congress of Mathematics Education.
How the Association is Organized
The main office of the Mathematical Association is in Leicester, England. It is located near De Montfort University.
Besides its main council, the Association has seven special committees. These committees focus on different areas of maths education.
Local Branches
The Association also has local groups, or branches, in different parts of the UK. Sometimes, they share these branches with another group called the Association of Teachers of Mathematics (ATM). These local branches help teachers connect in their own areas.
Some of these branches are in:
- Birmingham
- Cambridge
- East Midlands
- Exeter
- Gloucester
- Liverpool
- London
- Greater Manchester
- Meridian
- Stoke and Staffordshire
- Sheffield
- Sussex
- Yorkshire
See also
- London Mathematical Society
- Institute of Mathematics and its Applications
