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sparksmaths.bsky.social
Ben Sparks
@sparksmaths.bsky.social
3.4K followers 330 following 200 posts
Mathematician, Musician, Speaker, Teacher. Freelance - MEI - Uni of Bath

Working with @Numberphile @MathsInspiratn @TMiPUK and on YouTube @SparksMaths

Get in touch and/or book me for a maths talk or workshop:
www.bensparks.co.uk
Posts Replies Media Videos
Reposted by Ben Sparks
jmmaths.bsky.social
#mathstoday (well yesterday). A colleague saw me playing with this awesome GeoGebra file from @sparksmaths.bsky.social. Led to a great pedagogy discussion and sharing the file with the entire dept. I then used it with my sixth form class who now know understand why tan is the tangent ☺️ #ALevelMaths
November 7, 2025 at 7:14 AM
Reposted by Ben Sparks
mathsinspiration.bsky.social
Schools - there are still seats available for our Cambridge shows on 10th December, featuring Ben Sparks (aka @sparksmaths.bsky.social), Alison Kiddle and Oliver Dunk from Google. Bursaries are available for schools facing overwhelming transport costs. mathsinspiration.com/events/?id=204
Maths Inspiration - Event Details
Event Details
mathsinspiration.com
November 5, 2025 at 10:02 AM
Reposted by Ben Sparks
steckl.es
Excitingly, Today's the opening day of MathsWorld, the new hands-on maths museum in London. I've really enjoyed visiting MathsCity in Leeds, but they've now got a London location too! Details at mathsworld.com
MathsWorld – London’s new Museum of Mathematics
MathsWorld is an interactive museum in London with innovative hands-on exhibits that explore the beauty, wonder, and everyday relevance of mathematics for visitors of all ages.
mathsworld.com
October 18, 2025 at 10:01 AM
Reposted by Ben Sparks
mscroggs.co.uk
Tomorrow, I'm showing off MENACE at the Association for Science and Discovery Centres' Members' Forum. Tickets are free and looks like they're still available. www.sciencecentres.org.uk/events/octob...
October Members’ Forum: Engaging audiences with AI
October Members’ Forum: Engaging audiences with AI
www.sciencecentres.org.uk
October 14, 2025 at 9:08 AM
sparksmaths.bsky.social
David's blog is worth a read, but I suggest first trying to marshall your thoughts about *why* the central diagram does in fact represent independent events correctly.
davidkbutler.bsky.social David K Butler @davidkbutler.bsky.social · Sep 30
This came up in the staff meeting today: how the ordinary English meaning of the word “independent” does not describe at all how a Venn diagram looks, and what to do to fix that. #MathSky www.adelaide.edu.au/mathslearnin...
A collection of nine diagrams. Each is a ten-by-ten grid with a four-by-five rectangle in its bottom left corner shaded with wavy lines. Each also has a five-by-six rectangle shaded in grey, overlapping with the wavy-shaded rectangle by a different amount in each diagram. They each have a label underneath too. In the first diagram, the grey rectangle covers the wavy-shaded rectangle completely and the label says “Not independent”. In the second diagram, the two rectangles overlap on 15 squares and the label says “Not independent”. In the third diagram, the two rectangles overlap on 12 squares and the label says “Not independent”. In the fourth diagram, the two rectangles overlap on 8 squares and the label says “Not independent”. In the fifth diagram, the two rectangles overlap on 6 squares and the label says “Independent!” in capital letters. In the sixth diagram, the two rectangles overlap on 4 squares and the label says “Not independent”. In the seventh diagram, the two rectangles overlap on 2 squares and the label says “Not independent”. In the eighth diagram, the two rectangles overlap on 1 squares and the label says “Not independent”. In the ninth diagram, the two rectangles do not overlap and the label says “Not independent”.
September 30, 2025 at 9:39 AM
Reposted by Ben Sparks
davidkbutler.bsky.social
This came up in the staff meeting today: how the ordinary English meaning of the word “independent” does not describe at all how a Venn diagram looks, and what to do to fix that. #MathSky www.adelaide.edu.au/mathslearnin...
A collection of nine diagrams. Each is a ten-by-ten grid with a four-by-five rectangle in its bottom left corner shaded with wavy lines. Each also has a five-by-six rectangle shaded in grey, overlapping with the wavy-shaded rectangle by a different amount in each diagram. They each have a label underneath too. In the first diagram, the grey rectangle covers the wavy-shaded rectangle completely and the label says “Not independent”. In the second diagram, the two rectangles overlap on 15 squares and the label says “Not independent”. In the third diagram, the two rectangles overlap on 12 squares and the label says “Not independent”. In the fourth diagram, the two rectangles overlap on 8 squares and the label says “Not independent”. In the fifth diagram, the two rectangles overlap on 6 squares and the label says “Independent!” in capital letters. In the sixth diagram, the two rectangles overlap on 4 squares and the label says “Not independent”. In the seventh diagram, the two rectangles overlap on 2 squares and the label says “Not independent”. In the eighth diagram, the two rectangles overlap on 1 squares and the label says “Not independent”. In the ninth diagram, the two rectangles do not overlap and the label says “Not independent”.
September 30, 2025 at 8:52 AM
Reposted by Ben Sparks
meimaths.bsky.social
We’re excited to announce that our free FE CPD Programme has been refreshed to provide even more support for teachers!

Updated CPD Menu
Improved Extended Courses
New National Online Events
New Maths Matters Newsletter

Find out more: buff.ly/QF1Hc7z

#FEmaths
September 8, 2025 at 5:13 PM
sparksmaths.bsky.social
It's been a day of First Bus fails.
In Glasgow, waited 20 mins for a no. 8 to show up this morning. No show. Had to catch a no. 90 instead.
September 3, 2025 at 11:01 PM
Reposted by Ben Sparks
tombutton.bsky.social
This term the AMSP is running a 'Maths into Data Science and AI' course for #ALevelMaths students. An online 11-week assessed course that introduces them to Python for data and machine learning.

1st cohort starts late September - you can sign your students up now at: amsp.org.uk/event/4d4629...
A data scientist pointing to a graph on a screen
September 3, 2025 at 10:28 AM
Reposted by Ben Sparks
tombutton.bsky.social
We've got a new PD course for #ALevelMaths teachers: The Maths of Data Science and AI.

Learn how maths is used in machine learning/AI, get ideas for the classroom and improve your technology skills for data.

5 online sessions and a study day. You can sign-up now at: amsp.org.uk/event/192742...
Teachers on a professional development course
September 3, 2025 at 10:33 AM
Reposted by Ben Sparks
ecrmaths.bsky.social
This year, I'm going to reinstate Maths Video of the Week, which I send out on Teams to our A Level Maths students (I've let it lapse in recent years) The descriptions and links to the videos are all ready to copy and paste each week - feel free to use!

wykecollege-my.sharepoint.com/:f:/g/person...
Video descriptions 2025-26 Maths video of the week #1 Hi everyone! Each week we’ll be linking to a different interesting or thought-provoking video relating to the world of mathematics. We see the numbers “million” and “billion” a lot, both in maths and in everyday life, but it can be difficult to visualise their relative sizes. In this week’s video, Tom Scott demonstrates the difference between a million dollars and a billion dollars. You may want to watch the first 2-3 minutes then skip ahead to a couple of minutes from the end, as there is a lot of driving in the middle! A Million Dollars vs A Billion Dollars, Visualised: A Road Trip - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YUWDrLazCg Maths video of the week #2 Fermat’s Last Theorem is one of the most well-known theorems in mathematics. It was first stated by Pierre de Fermat in 1637 but was not proven until 1994 by English mathematician Andrew Wiles, who has studied and worked at Oxford, Cambridge and Princeton. In this week’s video Simon Singh introduces the theorem, and explains a little of the history of how it was finally proven. Singh has written a number of popular science and mathematics books (including one on Fermat’s Last Theorem) which are very engaging and recommended if you are looking for some super-curricular reading for mathematics. This could be just for your own interest, or to mention in a UCAS personal statement or interview. Fermat's Last Theorem - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qiNcEguuFSA A list of maths video links on YouTube in a table with the title Video of the week 2025-2026
August 30, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Reposted by Ben Sparks
michaelandersonmei.bsky.social
New for next year from the AMSP:

1) Free teacher CPD (+£350 subsidy) exploring data analysis, predictive modelling, and the role of maths in AI.

2) An 11-week student programme to develop practical skills in data analysis, modelling, and ethical AI.

Details of both:
amsp.org.uk/explore-the-...
Explore the Maths Behind AI – for You and Your Students  - AMSP
Explore how maths powers AI. These free AMSP courses help teachers and students understand the data, modelling and reasoning behind real-world AI and build the skills to thrive in a data-driven future...
amsp.org.uk
July 21, 2025 at 10:09 AM
Reposted by Ben Sparks
tmip.bsky.social
It’s so close now! Still just time to bag a ticket for TMiP 2025, where you can meet and network with other maths communicators, upgrade your skills and learn some new tricks: talkingmathsinpublic.uk
August 11, 2025 at 11:37 AM
Reposted by Ben Sparks
captaindisillusion.bsky.social
I've been TRYIN'
lizzlepants.bsky.social Lizzlepants 🐒 @lizzlepants.bsky.social · Jul 25
I dunno why we still tell people to follow their hearts when maybe we should be telling more people to use their fucking brains
July 25, 2025 at 7:46 PM
Reposted by Ben Sparks
meimaths.bsky.social
Build confidence in teaching A level Further Mathematics! This course provides support on topics from the compulsory pure content in further maths through a mix of online sessions and in-person study days in  London and Manchester.

Sign up now: buff.ly/SYMEj6e
July 13, 2025 at 10:01 AM
Reposted by Ben Sparks
tmip.bsky.social
Our #TMiP25 conference attendees will also learn about how skills from stand-up comedy can improve our maths comm, with experienced comedy producer Chris Head. Tickets at talkingmathsinpublic.uk
July 13, 2025 at 8:28 AM
Reposted by Ben Sparks
tombutton.bsky.social
We've also got a new professional development course for teachers: 'The Maths of Data Science and AI'.

This is 5 online sessions and a study day where we'll look at the concepts behing data science/AI and how you can use them in your teaching of A level Maths.

amsp.org.uk/event/192742...
Event - AMSP
amsp.org.uk
July 11, 2025 at 1:16 PM
Reposted by Ben Sparks
tombutton.bsky.social
Our new course aimed at A level Maths students: 'Maths into Data Science and AI' is now opening for teachers to book their students onto for the autumn term.

This is a one-term online assessed course. We'll be running it again in the spring.

amsp.org.uk/event/4d4629...
A data scientist pointing at some data on a screen.
July 11, 2025 at 1:14 PM
Reposted by Ben Sparks
tmip.bsky.social
Our TMiP event in August will be fully hybrid, with ways for remote attendees to join in with all the sessions. Our hybrid coordinator @samsighs.bsky.social will be on hand to make sure everything works, and that everyone is seen/heard! Remote tickets just £30: talkingmathsinpublic...
July 7, 2025 at 2:38 PM
Reposted by Ben Sparks
tmip.bsky.social
TMiP is the UK's network for maths communicators: whether you're a researcher talking about your research, a writer, presenter, blogger, YouTuber, workshop leader or activity provider, or anyone sharing maths, you can join our mailing list by visiting talkingmathsinpublic.uk
July 2, 2025 at 5:56 PM
Reposted by Ben Sparks
mathsinspiration.bsky.social
Breaking news - on Dec 11th we're bringing 'Much Ado About Numbers' to The Rose Theatre in Kingston, whose layout is based on the original Elizabethan Rose Theatre. Great for Year 10/11, you can provisionally book now, and pay in the autumn mathsinspiration.com/much-ado-aut...
June 30, 2025 at 12:22 PM
sparksmaths.bsky.social
25 years ago an acapella group called Out Of The Blue was started in Oxford. Singing with OOTB was a fundamentally formative experience for me, and has continued to shape my work, life, and friends. This weekend 25 years worth of alumni are gathering to get all nostalgic (and sing some stuff).
June 27, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Reposted by Ben Sparks
steckl.es
Achievement unlocked: my latest YouTube video has caused a discussion in the talk page of the Wikipedia article for Tic Tac Toe and they've fixed the image: commons.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ti...

Video here: youtu.be/K29O13EUnZQ...

(Thanks @11011110 for the heads up!)
File:Tic-Tac-Toe-Possible Grid.png - Wikimedia Commons
commons.m.wikimedia.org
June 19, 2025 at 6:05 AM
Reposted by Ben Sparks
londmathsoc.bsky.social
Just under a week until the onllne 2025 Maths Communication Workshop taking place on 24 June and open to all.

In this interactive session, @steckl.es + @sparksmaths.bsky.social cover the skills and techniques required to communicate maths effectively

➡️ www.ticketsource.co.uk/london-mathe...
June 18, 2025 at 4:27 PM