On Valentine’s Day 2025, thousands of students from across the UK discovered a new passion—maths! Big Ideas’ “My First Love: Maths” event brought together over 9,600 young people from 115 schools to celebrate the power of numbers and problem-solving.
The event featured Dr. Herb Daly, a computer scientist and professor at the University of Hertfordshire, who shared his love for maths and its vital role in technology. Dr. Daly engaged students in interactive discussions, real-world problem-solving activities, and a fascinating look at how maths powers the world around us—from coding video games to processing millions of online transactions.
A Record-Breaking Event
Originally planned for 80 schools, the event exceeded expectations, with:
- 115 schools attended
- 224 teachers participating
- 324 classes joining live
- 9,697 students engaged
Exciting Challenges and Big Questions
Students jumped into fun activities, including estimating and calculating the capacity of a fictional pizza delivery system—bringing maths into a real-world setting.
The Q&A session was a standout moment, with over 80 questions submitted in the first minute! Students asked insightful questions, such as:
“Why do we need numbers to code?” – Horwich Parish CE School
“How does critical thinking help in maths?” – Newland St John’s CE Academy
“Will robots replace teachers in the future?” – Dr. Triplett’s C of E Primary School
Falling in Love with Maths
The event wrapped up with a Love Letter to Maths, where students shared their newfound appreciation for the subject. Many schools left glowing feedback, with students exclaiming:
“Best lesson ever!” – Francis Askew Primary School
“Maths is the best subject ever!” – Year 6, LOSTOCK PS
“Maths is magic!” – Eastbury Primary School
“This has been really fun!” – Paisley Primary School
“Life-changing!” – St. Peter’s Methodist Primary School
Inspiring the Next Generation
Before the event, only 13% of teachers reported that their students had met a real mathematician. Now, thousands of young people have connected with a STEM professional, expanding their understanding of exciting maths-related careers.
Big Ideas would like to thank RAF Youth STEM for supporting this event and helping inspire the next generation of mathematicians, engineers, and problem-solvers.
Stay tuned for more incredible STEM events and another My First Love Maths event for Square Root Day!