John Bibby jb43@york.ac.uk

Our Aim: to do for mathematics what the National Science Museum does for science

Our Method: one large iconic centre, plus a nationwide outreach network (partnering with existing institutions)

Key Themes: active engagement, “everyone is a mathematician”, maths is everywhere (science and arts; history, geography, outer and inner space)

Launch: January 2012

FAQs and some provisional answers

What are you trying to do?We want to change attitudes to mathematics, so maths becomes cool and a “CanDo” subject, not something that frightens. We want to improve perceptions, confidence and skills.

How do you intend to do this?

Via a national centre and a nationwide network of “mathetariums” (maths museums).

These will do for mathematics what planetariums do for the solar system and outer space - inspire, excite, educate and amaze, providing everything from fun and a great day out to serious understanding and guidance and follow-up for people at all levels of understanding.

What will this network consist of ?

(Maybe) one big national centreand 5-10 regional hubs.

Where will the regional hubs be?

They will be located so that 90% of the UK population is within 1 hours travel.

Some will be in existing institutions – museums, science centres etc.; some will be new-builds; and some will develop heritage buildings (unused schools etc.) in development areas.

We will be inviting bids from institutions that wish to become a regional hub.

We will be inviting bids from institutions that wish to become a regional hub.

Please speak to me or email me if you are interestedjb43@york.ac.uk

You can sign up for the MWUK newsletter atMathsWorldUK.com/contact/

What’s already out there ?

National Library of Kazakhstanhttp://www.archdaily.com/33238/national-library-in-astana-kazakhstan-big/

Moebius architecture

Birmingham ThinkTank

Science Museum - London

“Woolly Thoughts” (mathematical knitting)

Mathematikum ! (Giessen)

Prof. Beutelspacher

Maths Museum at Al Quds University Palestine

You have 18 bottles and a 6 x 4 milkcrate. Put an even number of bottles into every row and column.

You have 18 bottles and a 6 x 4 milkcrate. Put an even number of bottles into every row and column.