In this episode, Phil Welch discusses with Simon the evolving landscape of mathematics and computing education, the impact of AI, and how to inspire students’ passion for STEM subjects. It’s not just about numbers on a test or lines of code in a project; it’s about students’ curiosity, effort and questions driving real understanding and innovation. The conversation also explores innovative teaching methods, the role of competitions and the exciting careers that stem from a love of maths, highlighting how maths and computing shape modern technology, careers and everyday life. Ultimately, it shows that students aren’t just learning content—they are the ones who make these subjects count in the real world.

Key Topics:

• The balance between the constancy of math and the dynamic nature of computing
• How AI is transforming teaching and future career opportunities
• The impact of social media and celebrity educators on making math more popular
• Notable 'light bulb' moments in teaching math, such as the power of compounding and right/wrong answers
• The connection between math, art, and nature through ratios like the Fibonacci sequence
• Strategies for inspiring students at all levels, from those seeking just a grade to future PhDs
• The diverse career paths enabled by a strong foundation in math, including finance, economics, and data science
• The importance of a collaborative, approachable teaching team and extracurricular maths competitions