Maths in GCSE Science SL461 / RB02
Summary
There is significant overlap between science and mathematics curricula at key stage 3, key stage 4 and key stage 5, but students’ experience of shared topics is often very different in the two subjects. Are applications from science regularly used to explore concepts in maths lessons? Are the mathematical techniques that students learn in science developed with understanding?Identify common content, discover how the same mathematical topics look different in science to how they appear in mathematics, consider how and when topics are taught in mathematics and explore ways of teaching that develop sufficient mathematical understanding whilst providing fluency in the skills required for success in science.
Who is it for?
Experience shows that most is gained from this course when one mathematics teacher and one science teacher from the same school/college attend the course together
What topics are covered?
This course covers:
- working with numbers: rounding, significant figures, standard form
- proportional reasoning: techniques to develop students ability to scale up and scale down applied to units, magnification, compound measures, molar calculations…
- exploring equations: considering different methods of solving linear equations and how these methods may be used to improve students' ability rearrange equations
- interpreting graphs 1: bridging the gap between expectations in mathematics and expectations in science
- interpreting graphs 2: understanding what the gradient of a line means in different contexts
- sketching and drawing graphs: developing techniques to improve graphs drawing skills in science
- trigonometry: exploring an approach to teaching trigonometry with understanding applied in a science context
- practicals for the mathematics classroom
- throughout the course you will consider how definitions and notation differ in mathematics and science and develop methods to minimise the barriers which make students applying their mathematical skills in a science context challenging
How will you learn?
This course is delivered virtually using MS teams
How long is this course?
6 hours
Who is the course leader?
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Michael Anderson
I am a Mathematics Subject Specialist for STEM Learning. Based at the National STEM Learning Centre in York, I support with secondary mathematics...
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Outcomes
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
- understand the similarities and the differences between requirements of the mathematics specification and the requirements of the mathematical content in the science specifications
- develop ideas of what makes good mathematics teaching
- master approaches to teaching mathematical topics common to the mathematics and science curricula
- explore , develop and implement practical, sustainable models for departments working together
- create a joint action plan to be implemented back in school
Sessions
| Date | Time | Location | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Maths in GCSE Science | 12 March 2026 | 09:00-16:00 | Virtual |
Actions
Cost
| Fee-paying school or college (independent) | Activity fee£199.00 +VAT |
|---|---|
| State-funded school or college | Activity fee£199.00 +VAT |
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Alternative dates
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