MathsTalk by AMSI Schools

Host Leanne McMahon takes us inside the Victorian Maths Camps, a fully funded, five-day residential enrichment program for high-ability Year 9 and 10 students in Victorian government schools. Delivered by AMSI (https://amsi.org.au/victorian-maths-camps/) in partnership with the Mathematical Association of Victoria (https://www.mav.vic.edu.au/Student-Activities/Camps) and the Y, and funded by the Victorian Government, the camps combine rich mathematical problem-solving, collaborative projects, industry and academic connections, and outdoor camp activities. Students Yuna, Akhil, and Anika share what the experience is really like - the friendships, the challenge of getting stuck, and how it reshaped their thinking about future study and careers. James Mott highlights the role of industry and academic visitors in showing students where mathematics goes beyond the classroom. Leanne also offers practical advice for students considering applying, for parents, and for teachers who might have a student who needs this opportunity.

Sponsored by Texas Instruments Education Australia(https://education.ti.com/en-au/teachers).

Contact the program: [email protected]

Three-dimensional coordinates and transformations are a significant addition to the Year 8 mathematics curriculum—but how do we introduce them without making 3D geometry feel unnecessarily abstract? In this episode of MathsTalk, AMSI Schools’ Leanne McMahon explores the thinking behind the new Transformations in 3D chapter she authored for the fourth edition of ICE-EM Mathematics Year 8. Beginning with students’ existing understanding of 2D coordinates and transformations, Leanne looks at how teachers can build towards ordered triples, coordinate planes and transformations in three-dimensional space. She discusses the value of dynamic geometry software such as GeoGebra, practical approaches for developing spatial reasoning, and real-world applications including drones, robotics, gaming, animation, architecture, 3D printing and navigation.

The fourth edition of ICE-EM Mathematics covers Years 5–10 and has been updated for Australian Curriculum Mathematics Version 9.0 and Victorian Curriculum Mathematics Version 2.0. The new editions include additional digital resources, video explanations, written solutions and connections with AMSI Calculate and AMSI Careers resources.

Explore the ICE-EM Mathematics series

ICE-EM Mathematics Fourth Edition – Year 8

Order ICE-EM Mathematics from Cambridge University Press & Assessment

The Australian and Victorian Curricula Mathematics  content description VC2M8SP03 asks students to describe the position and location of three-dimensional objects using different representations, including a three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system and dynamic geometry software or other digital tools. Its elaborations include drones, 3D printing, virtual maps, multistorey car parks and the construction of objects in a 3D coordinate system.

Victorian Curriculum Mathematics 2.0 – VC2M8SP03

GeoGebra’s free 3D Calculator allows students to plot points and objects in three-dimensional space, manipulate the viewing perspective, construct planes and solids, and explore mathematical transformations dynamically.

Open the GeoGebra 3D Calculator

GeoGebra 3D Calculator – help and overview

Learn GeoGebra 3D – official tutorial

GeoGebra apps and downloads

GeoGebra transformation resources

AMSI’s next Industry Day for Teachers will be held on Thursday 10 September 2026 at La Trobe University’s Albury-Wodonga Campus.

This free professional learning event is designed for secondary mathematics and STEM teachers and careers advisers from regional Victoria and southern New South Wales. The day connects teachers with tertiary educators and industry professionals to explore where mathematics is being used in the workforce and the diverse pathways available to students.

Victorian high school teachers attending the event can also apply for one of a limited number of $500 CRT/travel bursaries.

Albury-Wodonga event details

AMSI Industry Day for Teachers – program, speakers and registration

Texas Instruments provides Australian mathematics teachers with classroom technology, curriculum-aligned activities, teaching resources and professional learning opportunities. Its Australian Teacher Resource Centre includes free classroom activities and assessment resources for Years 7–10, as well as webinars, tutorials and professional development.

Texas Instruments Australia – Teacher Resource Centre

Australian Curriculum Nspired – classroom activities and resources

Texas Instruments Australia

AMSI Calculate – mathematics resources for teachers and students

AMSI Careers – explore where mathematics can take you

Listen to more MathsTalk episodes

When students ask, “When am I ever going to use this maths?”, real examples can make all the difference. In this special MathsTalk episode, Leanne McMahon previews AMSI’s FREE Industry Days for Teachers, taking place on Thursday 30 July 2026 at Swinburne University of Technology and CSL’s global headquarters. Discover how mathematics supports careers in artificial intelligence, sustainability, business analytics, biotechnology, gem faceting and more, and learn how the day will help secondary mathematics, STEM and careers educators connect classroom learning with real-world pathways. The episode also covers the speaker program, industry tour, professional learning certificate and limited $500 CRT and travel bursaries available to Victorian teachers. There is also a day at Latrobe University, Albury/Wodonga Campus on 10th September.

AMSI Industry Day for Teachers—event information and speaker program

Register for the Melbourne Industry Day

AMSI Industry Day invitation and event details

CRT and travel bursary enquiries

Swinburne University of Technology—Applied Mathematics

CSL

Plante

Coco the Creator

Bunnings careers

Mathematical Association of Victoria

Australian Facetors’ Guild

AMSI Mathematics Careers Resources for the Classroom

AMSI Careers

MathsTalk podcast

Texas Instruments Teacher Resource Centre

In this episode of MathsTalk, Leanne continues the conversation about using textbooks creatively, moving from Years 7 and 8 into the more complex terrain of Years 9 and 10.

While many of the same principles still apply; conceptual understanding, mathematical language, structured lessons and exercises used for thinking rather than just completion, Years 9 and 10 bring their own challenges. Students are working with more demanding content, wider gaps in assumed knowledge, more entrenched mathematical identities, and a stronger need to see relevance in what they are learning.

This episode explores how teachers can use a resource such as the AMSI ICE-EM books to support both students who need consolidation and students who are ready for greater challenge. It considers how textbook exercises can be used to reveal structure, diagnose misconceptions, support mathematical communication, and keep mixed-ability classes working around the same important mathematical ideas.

Leanne discusses:

why Years 9 and 10 are not simply “harder Years 7 and 8”

how older misconceptions can affect the learning of more demanding content

the importance of mathematical language, reasoning and explanation

how to use textbook exercises for thinking, not just completion

why relevance becomes more important in Years 9 and 10

ways to support mixed-ability classes without watering down the mathematics

how anxiety, disengagement and behaviour can be connected to students’ mathematical histories

five planning questions teachers can use when working from the textbook

When planning from the textbook, consider:

What is the core mathematical idea?

What prior knowledge is being assumed?

What misconceptions or avoidance patterns am I likely to meet?

Which parts of the textbook sequence matter most?

How can I preserve common mathematical access while supporting a wide range of learners?

AMSI ICE-EM Mathematics Textbooks

Texas Instruments Australia Teacher Resource Centre

Australian Curriculum: Mathematics

AMSI Careers

Open Middle

Illustrative Mathematics Tasks

NRICH Secondary Teacher Resources

reSolve Maths

This episode is brought to you by Texas Instruments Australia. Explore tools, lessons, professional learning and classroom resources at:

In this solo episode of MathsTalk, Leanne McMahon explores how to use Textbooks creatively in Years 7 and 8, where students are moving from primary habits into more abstract secondary mathematics. The episode focuses on building precise mathematical language, identifying common transition misconceptions, using textbook exercises for concept development rather than simple practice, and structuring mixed-ability lessons around the same core task so all students can engage with the same important mathematics. It also argues for the central role of conceptual understanding in a book-based curriculum, and for teachers being deeply familiar with the curriculum so they can adapt, extend and refine tasks with confidence.

Resources mentioned in the episode include:

Texas Instruments Australia for teacher resources and professional learning (https://education.ti.com/en-au/teachers?category=professional-development )

youcubed for open and creative classroom tasks https://www.youcubed.org/ 

GeoGebra for interactive visual exploration https://www.geogebra.org/ 

Open Middle for challenging problems that unlock student thinking (Open Middle® |)

Illustrative Mathematics for problem-based middle years mathematics and collaborative reasoning routines (Illustrative Mathematics K–12 Math)

University of Melbourne’s decimal misconceptions site for insight into common misconceptions about decimal numbers (extranet.education.unimelb.edu.au)

What's in store for the remainder of 2026? A plethora of exciting and engaging podcasts for you mathematical pleasure. Contact us for more ideas:

[email protected]

In this episode of MathsTalk, Leanne McMahon is joined by mathematics educator Nadia Abdelal to explore the role of calculators in Years 7–8. This re-released episode tackles a question many schools still debate: when do calculators support learning, and when do they risk getting in the way?

Leanne and Nadia discuss how calculators can reduce cognitive load, improve access to new concepts, and support students who are still building number sense.

They also highlight the importance of intervention, estimation, and equity — reminding us that calculators can help students engage in richer mathematical thinking, but should sit alongside strong teaching of foundational skills.

Relevant links

MathsTalk podcast: https://calculate.org.au/mathstalk-podcast/ 

Texas Instruments Australia: https://education.ti.com/en-au/teachers?category=professional-development 

AMSI maths careers: https://careers.amsi.org.au/ 

AMSI Industry Day resources: https://amsi.org.au/amsi-industry-day-for-teachers/ 

In this episode of Maths Talk, we introduce an upcoming professional development event tailored for Maths and STEM teachers as well as career practitioners. Scheduled for Tuesday, September 9, 2025, the AMSI Industry Day at Latrobe University, Bendigo, offers engaging sessions from university educators and industry professionals to bridge classroom teaching with real-world applications of mathematics. The event includes impactful talks, networking opportunities, and takeaway resources funded by the Invergowrie Foundation. Teachers will leave with practical examples and lesson plans to inspire students and connect curriculum topics with future careers. Register through the AMSI website and join us for a day of learning and connecting.

Registrations: https://tinyurl.com/AMSBendigoRego

TI Professional Learning:

https://education.ti.com/en-au/resources/getting-started-with-ti-technology

Previous Industry Days: https://amsi.org.au/amsi-industry-day-for-teachers/ (Click on relevant day)

Classroom resources: https://amsi.org.au/2024-teacher-professional-learning-in-industry-day/ 

In this episode of MathsTalk, Leanne McMahon speaks with Dr Hong Xu, author of the Indigenous content for the upcoming AMSI textbook series, and Professor Rowena Ball, leader of the 'Mathematics Without Borders' initiative. Together, they discuss how and why Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander insights into maths are being incorporated into the Australian Mathematics Curriculum, what that looks like in practice, and how teachers can confidently bring this content into their classrooms.

MathsTalk is proudly sponsored by Texas Instruments Australia. https://education.ti.com/en-au

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

- Xu, H., & Ball, R. (2024). Indigenous Mathematics: From Mainstream Misconceptions to Educational Enrichment. Canadian Journal of Science, Mathematics and Technology Education, 24(2), 160-175. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42330-024-00321-5

- Mathematics Without Borders: https://www.anu.edu.au/research/research-initiatives/mathematics-without-borders

- AMSI Textbook Series: https://schools.amsi.org.au

Texas Instruments teacher professional learning: https://education.ti.com/en-au/professional-development/upcoming-pd

Texas Instruments website: https://education.ti.com/en-au/ 

- Australian Curriculum Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Histories & Cultures: https://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/curriculum-information/understand-this-cross-curriculum-priority/aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-histories-and-cultures 

In this special Pi Day episode of MathsTalk, host Leanne McMahon, AMSI’s school maths advisor, takes listeners on an engaging journey into the world of Pi. She explains what Pi is and how it is used in basic geometry, explores its irrational and transcendental nature, and discusses its importance in both mathematics and real-world applications. Leanne also shares fun facts about Pi—from ancient approximations to modern Pi recitation contests—and offers a variety of creative activities for teachers and parents to celebrate Pi Day in the classroom.