Four Upper Sixth Further Maths students have won second prize in a national competition after producing a film about a famous mathematician’s work.
Tom Powell, Louis Massey, Peter Garside and Will Sparrow battled it out against students from across the UK and beyond, in the MATRIX 2016 Schools’ Competition.
Working independently of their teachers, the students were asked to create a video, showing the work of a great mathematician, explaining its significance today.
Selecting John von Neumann’s ‘Game Theory,’ Tom, Louis, Peter and Will used lessons and their spare time to devise and research the chosen topic, as well as work on the technical aspects of creating a video.
Visiting the University of Leeds, the students were presented with their 2nd place prize during MathsWorldUK‘s MoMath MATRIX conference before a public lecture given by well-known populariser of Mathematics, Dr. Hannah Fry, who gave a talk on “The Mathematics of Love.”
The team’s video was shown to the audience after Dr Fry’s lecture, before the students were given the opportunity to discuss their project with the professional mathematicians in attendance, including popular science author, Simon Singh.
CHS Maths Teacher, Mr Dave Barnett said: “CHS’s team showed initiative, independence and enthusiasm! The event was an excellent day, enjoyed by the students and myself. Having the opportunity to talk to the mathematicians present, really seemed to fire the students’ imaginations!”
Watch the CHS team’s prize-winning videio ‘A Brief History of John von Neumann’s Game Theory:
