Department of Engineering / News / Cambridge engineer joins roadshow to encourage teenagers to embrace mathematics

Department of Engineering

Cambridge engineer joins roadshow to encourage teenagers to embrace mathematics

Cambridge engineer joins roadshow to encourage teenagers to embrace mathematics

Dr Hunt takes to the stage at The Savoy Theatre in London.

Dr Hugh Hunt, Reader in Engineering Dynamics and Vibration, has been inspiring teenagers with his love of engineering as part of an interactive lecture show currently touring the country.

Stimulating teenagers' interest in mathematics while they're still at school is enormously beneficial and can help shape their future career choices and aspirations.

Dr Hugh Hunt

Dr Hunt travelled to the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield and The Savoy Theatre in London recently as part of Maths Inspiration – a national programme which aims to inspire teenagers to pursue mathematical subjects to a higher level by presenting the subject in the context of exciting, real-world applications.

Alongside mathematicians, Dr Hunt gave talks to more than 3,000 Year 11 and Year 12 pupils on the mechanics of spin, brought to life with demonstrations using props such as gyroscopes and boomerangs. Titled Maths in a Spin, Dr Hunt’s segment set out to ask the following questions: Why does a spinning ball bounce in curious ways? Why does a spinning top stand up? Why doesn't a rolling wheel fall over? 

“Mathematics is all around us and it's a subject which has a large part to play in our everyday lives and in the world of engineering too," said Dr Hunt. "Stimulating teenagers' interest in mathematics while they're still at school is enormously beneficial and can help shape their future career choices and aspirations. One way of doing this is through interactive shows such as Maths Inspiration, which is designed to inspire, educate and inform." 

Dr Hunt will join a panel of expert speakers to deliver one of the next events at Bath Forum on March 8, 2019. For more information and to book, visit www.mathsinspiration.com 

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