MEI has worked in collaboration with the Institution of Engineering and Technology to produce three mathematical classroom resources. They were released to coincide with celebrations for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, but the party planning and cake decorating contexts for these problem-solving activities have enduring appeal.
The Maths Tea Party resources are suitable for 5 to 11 year olds. The aim is to position different coloured items into a square grid so that each row and column contains one of each. The purpose of this activity is to explore problem solving strategies including trial and improvement, pattern spotting and using known strategies to tackle a new problem.
The Decorating Biscuits resources are suitable for 4 to 11 year olds. Explore maths with gingerbread men, and find out how many combinations of buttons are possibilities. This activity encourages children to work systematically to ensure they know when all of the solutions have been found.
The Cake Challenge is suitable for 7 to 9 year olds. With a row of 24 cupcakes, what happens when every second cake has white icing and every third cake has a red smartie? This challenge gets children thinking about combinations and Key Stage 2 times tables.
