Gabriella Gilliat - AIM High Maths

Gabriella Gilliat

AIM High Maths

 

Summary

Age range KS1 to KS3
Books No
DBS Checked Yes, enhanced

Booking
Contact
+44 (0)1535 656015
aimhigh@caboodlebooks.co.uk

 
 

Gabriella is a passionate mathematics educator and astrophysicist

 
 

About Gabriella

Gabriella has a decade of teaching experience working with multiple education companies including the Natural History Museum.

Gabriella focuses on making mathematics engaging and accessible, while emphasising its application in the real world.

Combining a strong background in both mathematics and astronomy, Gabriella brings a dynamic, interactive approach to every session, ensuring that students are challenged and inspired to apply their mathematical thinking to new contexts, while maintaining relevance to the curriculum.

 
 

Gabriella’s AIM High Maths Days

Gabriella’s AIM High Maths Days for KS1

Sample activities: 

1. Blast Off with Counting - Counting Stars and Planets - Students will count ‘stars’ and ‘planets’. They will practice counting in sequences, understanding number patterns and organising objects by colour and size. 

2. Shape Your Universe - Exploring 2D and 3D shapes - Using space-themed objects like rockets, planets and spaceships, students will explore different 2D and 3D shapes. They will sort shapes, identify the properties of each ( e.g. number of sides, corners, faces) and match them to items in the solar systems. (e.g. spheres for planets, cylinders for rocket bodies). 

3. Rocket Launch Measurement - Comparing sizes and Distances - Compare the size of different planets using simple measurement tools.

4. Planet Pattern Party - Creating Repeating Patterns - Students will create, identify and complete simple repeating patterns using space-themed objects. 

5. Space Adventure - Simple Addition and Subtraction with Aliens - Students will work with simple addition and subtraction problems using space-themed objects. Eg adding aliens to different spaceships and subtracting stars from the night sky.  

What will the students learn?

  •  Counting and Number recognition

  •  2D and 3D shape identification and properties

  •  Measurement concepts

  •  Patterns and sequences 

  •  Basic additions and subtraction 

What lasting benefit will children and attending staff gain?

  •  Engagement with mathematics through fun. 

  •  Solid foundation in early maths skills

  •  Inspiration for creative thinking

  •  Practical teaching strategies for KS1

Gabriella’s AIM High Maths Days for KS2

Sample Activities:

1. Mission to Mars: Solving Equations to Complete the Journey - Solve a series of linear and simple algebraic equations to unlock the clues that help a spaceship reach Mars. Progressively harder puzzles and challenges involving solving equations for unknowns, simplifying expressions, and applying basic algebraic principles to real-life problems.

2. Space Travel: Speed, Distance, and Time - Calculate the time it would take to travel between planets in our solar system at various

speeds. Use the formula for speed (speed = distance ÷ time) to find answers to questions such as “How long would it take to reach Mars if you were traveling at 100,000 km/h?” Learn about the relationship between speed, distance, and time through practical activities.

3. Build Your Space Station: Area, Perimeter, and Volume - Design your own space station and calculate the area, perimeter, volumes and surface areas of different structures. Explore the properties of 3D shapes and how they relate to the construction of space stations. Explore density and mass, choosing cost effective materials

4. Data from Space: Interpreting Graphs and Averages - Analyse real data from space exploration missions and use bar graphs, pie charts, and line graphs to represent information. Calculate the mean, median, and mode of different space-related data, such as temperatures on different planets or the frequency of solar flares. Work with probability to determine the likelihood of space-related events.

5. Solar System Scale: Working with Ratios and Proportions - Explore the scale of the solar system by using ratios to represent the distances between planets. Create scale drawings and calculate the proportions of planets compared to one another in terms of size and distance. Understand the concept of ratios in practical situations like space missions and planetary exploration.

Curriculum Focus:

  •  Solving linear equations and simplifying expressions

  •  Algebraic manipulation

  •  Speed, distance, and time problems

  •  Area, perimeter, and volume calculations

  •  Understanding 3D shapes and their properties

  •  Data interpretation using graphs and averages

  •  Ratios, proportions, and scale drawings

  •  Probability and statistics in real-world contexts

What Will the Students Learn?

  •  Develop a deeper understanding of algebraic concepts such as solving equations and simplifying expressions.

  •  Gain practical skills in solving speed, distance, and time problems.

  •  Improve their ability to work with geometric concepts like area, perimeter, and volume.

  •  Understand how to interpret and analyse data through graphs and averages.

  •  Learn about ratios, proportions, and their applications to real-world problems, like space exploration.

What Lasting Benefits Will Children and Attending Staff Gain?

  •  Increased Engagement: The space theme will ignite students’ interest in mathematics, demonstrating its relevance to real-world adventures like space exploration.

  •  Hands-On Learning: Students will have the opportunity to apply their mathematical knowledge to creative,

    interactive activities that challenge and expand their skills.

  •  Practical Application: Teachers will gain a range of strategies for making abstract mathematical concepts

    more accessible and engaging through the use of real-world scenarios.

  •  Inspiration for STEM Careers: Students will be inspired to pursue further study in mathematics, engineering,

    and space sciences, with a particular emphasis on the importance of these fields in shaping the future.

  •  Motivation and Confidence: Activities will build students confidence in their mathematical abilities,

    encouraging them to take on more complex problems and develop a growth mindset.

Gabriella’s AIM High Maths Days for KS3

Sample Activities:

1. Algebra Adventure - Solving Mysteries through Algebra - Work through a series of puzzles and riddles applying algebraic manipulation and reasoning.  The mystery becomes more complex as they progress, requiring students to solve linear and quadratic equations. 

2. Rocket Launch and our Solar System - Scale, proportions and calculating trajectories and distance 

  • Use basic principles to simulate a rocket launch.

  • Calculate the necessary velocities needed. 

  • Analyse different trajectories for different planets and use/create scale drawings of the solar system. 

3. Geometry and the Real World - Designing your own space station -

  • Calculate areas, volumes and surface areas of different structures

  •  Explore density and mass of objects

  •  Choose which materials to use looking at cost 

  •  Explore angles and symmetry in design

4. Data Detectives - Statistics and Probability in Space Exploration 

  •  Engage with real-world data from space missions

  •  Use statistical methods to analyse the data 

  •  Calculate probabilities

  •  Draw conclusions eg likelihood of discoveries of extra-terrestrial life. 

Curriculum focus:

  • Solving linear equations

  • Manipulating algebraic expressions

  • Algebra 

  • Speed, velocity, acceleration 

  • Ratios 

  • Proportions 

  • Scale drawings

  • Geometry concepts - area, volume, angles and symmetry

  • Mass and Density equations 

  • Exploring costs

  • Interpretation data

  • Calculating averages

  • Using probability

  • Applying statistical methods. 

What lasting benefit children and attending staff will gain?

  •  Increased engagement with mathematics: The space theme will ignite students’ curiosity and enthusiasm

    showing maths use in exciting, real-world contexts like space exploration.

  •  Deeper Understanding of Core Concepts: Students will strengthen their understanding of mathematical

    concepts through interactive activities which they can apply to various fields. 

  •  Teaching strategies for practical application: Attending teachers will take away a range of ideas for

    integrating real-world applications into their own teaching, learning how to make abstract mathematical

    concepts more engaging and accessible through relatable, hands-on activities. 

  •  Inspiration for future STEM learning : Inspire students to consider careers in mathematics, engineering or

    space science - especially girls.

  •  Motivate and inspire:  Deepen their understanding, motivating and inspiring students to learn through the

    subject’s real-world relevance.

Bookings
To book Gabriella please contact
aimhigh@caboodlebooks.co.uk

 
AIM High MathsTrish McLaughlin