sigma: Network for excellence in mathematics and statistics support

Annual General Meeting
2016-09-06 16:30 - 17:00 UTC | Loughborough University
Notice is hereby given of the inaugural Annual General Meeting of the sigma Network.
Date: Tuesday 6th September 2016, at 16.30
Place: Loughborough University (within the programme of the CETL-MSOR Conference)
This inaugural AGM will confirm the future role of the sigma Network as a professional association for those involved with mathematics and statistics support in Higher Education, as a direct continuation of sigma’s work as a funded project in recent years. All attendees of CETL-MSOR, and all members of the sigma-network Jiscmail list, are invited to attend the AGM and support the proposals for the future development of the sigma Network.
AGENDA
1) Chair’s Report
2) Ratification and adoption of the Constitution
3) Ratification of membership of the Steering Group for 2016/17
4) Any Other Business (to be submitted to chair@sigma-network.ac.uk by 2nd September 2016)

Enhance your maths and statistics support – 5th September 2016
2016-09-05 09:45 - 15:30 | De Montfort University
The Maths Learning Centre at De Montfort University is hosting a one-day staff development event for new and experienced mathematics and statistics support tutors on Monday 5th September 2016.
The course focuses on some perennial topics faced by maths support staff, and includes presentations from established and experienced members of the sigma Network :
(a) Supporting students with their statistics projects (including choice of hypotheses tests, using SPSS)
(b) Helping to prepare students for numerical reasoning tests
(c) The particular support needs of nursing students (drug dose calculations, etc)
The event is free to attend for members of the sigma Network. Further details click here..

Mathematical literacy, sigma SW&SW – 12th July
2016-07-12 10:30 - 16:00 | University of Exeter
The sigma South West & South Wales Hub is hosting a meeting on ‘Mathematical literacy‘ at the University of Exeter on Tuesday 12th July 2016 from 10:30 – 16:00.
The meeting is suitable for any member of staff or postgraduate tutor involved in mathematics or statistics teaching or support in higher education.
There is no charge for attending this event and refreshments and lunch will be provided. For further information about the meeting, including a full schedule of the day, and to register your attendance please see: http://www.bath.ac.uk/study/sigma-sw/events/literacy-2016.html
For those working towards HEA Fellowship, attendance at and engagement with this event, and reflection on its implications for practice, could help to provide evidence towards elements of the UK Professional Standards Framework: A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, K2, K3, K4, V3
For further information please contact Emma Cliffe, mash@bath.ac.uk

Location, Location, Location! – sigma Midlands meeting 11 July 2016
2016-07-11 12:00 - 16:30
The next sigma Midlands meeting ‘Location, Location, Location‘ will be held at the Telford campus of the University of Wolverhampton on Monday 11th July 2016. The meeting is suitable for any member of staff or postgraduate tutor involved in mathematics or statistics teaching or support in higher education.
Confirmed speakers include David Bowers from sigma, who will be considering the administrative location of a maths support centre, whether that be within academic services, library or a maths academic department and Ian Jarman from LJMU, who reported a huge increase in visits by physically moving the maths support centre.
Indicative Schedule for the meeting is:
12 – 1pm Registration and Lunch
1 – 1:45pm Maths Support – Library or Academic Department service
1:45pm – 2:30pm Best placed to exploit student footfall
2:30pm – 3pm Coffee Break
3pm – 3:45pm Moving a maths support centre – where to?
3:45pm – 4:30pm Networking and close.
There is no charge for attending this event and refreshments and lunch will be provided. Email Ruth Fairclough, r.fairclough@wlv.ac.uk to confirm your booking and please indicate if you have any special dietary requirements.
There is plenty of free parking at Telford campus, and it is a 2 minute taxi ride from Telford Central train station. Please see http://www.wlv.ac.uk/about-us/contacts-and-maps/all-maps-and-directions/map-and-directions-for-telford-innovation-campus/ to help plan your trip to us.
Kind regards, Ruth Fairclough
sigma Midlands Coordinator

Technology Enhanced Learning – 30th June 2016
2016-06-30 10:30 - 15:30 | School of Mathematics & Statistics Herschel Building (3rd floor) Newcastle University Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU
The next sigma meeting organised by the North East & Yorkshire Hub is taking place on THURSDAY 30th JUNE 2016 from 10:30-3:30pm at the University of Newcastle. The focus is on Technology Enhanced Learning.
This one day event will concentrate on getting started with various software/systems to facilitate and enhance teaching and learning of maths in Higher Education. The day will start with an introduction to maths support at Newcastle University by the host David McGeeney, followed by some interactive workshops introducing participants to the software and demonstrating how they can be used to support the learning of mathematics and statistics. The workshops will be ideal for people who have not used the software before.
Location: School of Mathematics & Statistics
Herschel Building (3rd floor)
Newcastle University
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 7RU

Programme:
10.30-11am Welcome and coffee
11-11.30 Maths Support at Newcastle University (David McGeeney)
11.30-12.15 Geogebra activity (Vijay Teeluck)
12.15 – 12.45 Sumaze the App (Trevor Hawkes/Vijay Teeluck)
12.45 – 1.30 pm lunch
1.30 – 3.30 Christian Lawson-Perfect – Numbas workshop
3.30 end

For more information on the event, email one of the North East hub coordinators V.Teeluck@shu.ac.ukor ellen.marshall@sheffield.ac.uk
For more information on Newcastle University, please email the host David.McGeeney@newcastle.ac.uk

Exploring Different Models of Maths Support within HE; Combatting Maths Anxiety – 1st June 2016
2016-06-01 09:30 - 16:00 | Manchester Metropolitan University
Manchester Metropolitan Q-Step Centre and SIGMA North West are hosting the first joint SIGMA-Q-Step event exploring different models of mathematics and statistics support. The event will be held at Manchester Metropolitan University on Wednesday 1st June. The aims of the day are:

Explore student attitudes to numbers as barriers to learning
Showcase different models of maths support within the HE sector
Share good practice in maths support within the HE sector
Examine what works in relation to supporting students with Maths anxiety

VENUE: Manchester Metropolitan University, Room tbc.
Directions: http://www2.mmu.ac.uk/travel/manchester/
There is no charge for attending this event and refreshments and lunch will be provided. To book please complete the register at Eventbrite, any enquiries can be sent to Ian Jarman (i.h.jarman@ljmu.ac.uk) Dept. of Applied Mathematics, Liverpool John Moores University, Byrom Street, Liverpool, L3 3AF or Natalie Simpson (N.Simpson@mmu.ac.uk) Q-step, Manchester Metropolitan University.
Programme
09.30 – 10.00 Registration and Refreshments
10.00 – 10.15 Welcome
10.15 – 10.45 Professor Julie Scott Jones. Director, Manchester Metropolitan University Q-Step Centre
Why supporting university students with numeracy is important
10.45 – 11.00 Sue Johnston-Wilder, University of Warwick
Building Maths Resilience; lessons from the school sector
11.00 – 11.15 Refreshments
11.15 – 11.45 Tony Croft. Prof of Mathematics Education Centre, Loughborough University. Sigma Director
The role of the MOOC in overcoming maths anxiety – lessons learned from five presentations of the Future Learn course ‘Getting a Grip on Mathematical Symbolism’.
11.45 – 12.15 Q&A (Twitter)
12.15 – 1.15 Lunch.
1.15 – 1.45 Michael Grove, Director – STEM education centre, School of Mathematics, University of Birmingham
Making Mathematics Support Work For You – models and methodologies for mathematics and statistics support
1.45 – 2.30 MASH, University of Bath (Cheryl Voake-Jones)
How we approach maths support.
2.30 – 2.45 Refreshments
2.45 – 3.30 The Numeracy Project, Manchester Metropolitan University (Natalie Simpson & Simon Massey)
How we approach maths support.
3.30 – 4.00 Discussion
4.00 Thank you

How to Use Social Media to Reach Your Students workshop: Manchester Metropolitan University 11 May 2016
2016-05-11 11:00 - 15:00

How to Use Social Media to Reach Your Students workshop: University of Greenwich 10 May 2016
2016-05-10 11:00 - 15:00

Promoting and Evaluating your Maths Support Service
2016-04-25 12:00 - 16:00 | University of Essex
The sigma Eastern England Hub is hosting a free networking event – ‘Promoting and Evaluating your Maths Support Service’ at the Silberrad Student Centre, University of Essex on Monday 25th April 2016 starting at 12:00.
If you are involved in the provision of mathematics and statistics support in higher education, this event will give you the opportunity to share your experiences on the promotion and evaluation of your service. Our aim is to inspire you and ensure that you leave with an “action plan” for the development of maths support in your institution.
12:00 Lunch and Welcome – Prof Abdel Salhi, sigma Eastern England Hub co-ordinator
12:30 Show and Tell: How do you promote and evaluate your service?
Each attendee will have a few minutes to show and tell about the promotion and evaluation practice in institution. We will focus on:
– The variety of promotional material and tools used
– Collaboration with departments, students union or other support services
– Key performance indicators in evaluation 
– Use of quantitative data and qualitative feedback 
– Challenges in collecting meaningful student feedback
14:00 Tour of the Silberrad Student Centre
14:30 Coffee break
14:45 Exchange: What would you include in your action plan?
Based on the earlier show and tell session, locate a group of people to follow up with, exchange knowledge and experiences
15:45 Closing Summary – David Bowers, Chair of the sigma Network
This is a free event including lunch and refreshments
Attendees will have the opportunity to tour the University of Essex new Silberrad Student Centre (SSC). The SSC opened in August 2015 and is the focal point for all student services, including registration, finance, accommodation, SU Media, IT services, Student Support and our Talent Development Centre. In addition there is a learning hub and reading room, as well as a magnificent Board Room – Lakeview Room where our meeting will take place. To register for this event or for further information, please contact: Hansa Bissoondeeal hobiss@essex.ac.uk
For those working towards HEA Fellowship, attendance at and engagement with this event, and reflection on its implication for practice, could help to provide evidence towards elements of the UK Professional Standards Framework: A1, A5, K5, K6, V2, V3.

Introduction to LaTeX
2016-03-21 10:00 - 16:30 | University of Wolverhampton City
The sigma Midlands Hub is holding a free Introduction to LaTeX training day on Monday, March 21st 2016 at the University of Wolverhampton City (i.e. Wolverhampton) campus. Note that this is the Monday before Easter. This free training day is for those who wish to learn the basics of the document preparation system LaTeX.
The course will be delivered by members of the school of Mathematics and Computer Science of the University of Wolverhampton and will include preparing basic documents, posters and beamer (“PowerPoint”) presentations.
This event is being hosted by the sigma Midlands hub.
To reserve a place at this FREE event, please email Paul Wilson. pauljwilson@wlv.ac.uk.

Financial support to assist with travel costs may be available (to delegates from the sigma Midlands hub region only) if people would otherwise be unable to attend. Please contact Paul Wilson pauljwilson@wlv.ac.uk, joint sigma Midlands Hub Co-ordinator, for information.

sigma Eastern England Tutor Training
2016-03-02 10:00 - 16:00 | University of East London, Docklands campus
The sigma Eastern England Hub is holding a free new tutor training session on March 2nd 2016 at theUniversity of East London, Docklands campus. This free training day is for tutors who work in mathematics and statistics support centers or who otherwise support students to enhance their mathematical skills.
The course will be delivered by members of sigma, based around the sigma guide “Tutoring in a Mathematics Support Centre“. The training is ideal for Post Graduate tutors new to mathematics and statistics support but is open to anyone who wishes to reflect on the ways in which mathematics and statistics support differs from traditional lecturing.
This event is being hosted by the sigma Eastern England hub. We thank UEL for their hospitality.
To reserve a place at this FREE event, please email Dan Brawn dbrawn@essex.ac.uk

deadline sigma Newsletter March 2016 issue
2016-02-19 17:00

Embedding Maths and Statistics support into Sports and Exercise Science degrees
2016-02-10 10:00 - 16:00 | Liverpool John Moores University
The sigma North West and North Wales Hub and the Sports and Exercise Science Dept at LJMU are arranging the first sigma event focused on the Sports and Exercise Science community. The event will be held at Liverpool John Moores University on Wednesday 10th February, starting at 10am.The aims of the day are

To acquaint the sigma community of the Maths and Stats support needs of Sports and Exercise Science students.
To highlight the benefits to Sports and Exercise Science academics how Maths and Stats support can help overcome issues with mathematics and statistics learning in their Sports and Exercise Science degrees.

There is no charge for attending this event and refreshments and lunch will be provided. Please complete the registration form, any enquiries can be sent to Ian Jarman (i.h.jarman@ljmu.ac.uk) Dept. of Applied Mathematics, Liverpool John Moores University, Byrom Street, Liverpool, L3 3AF.

Mathematica meeting
2016-02-03 00:00 - 23:59 | Essex University, Colchester Campus
On Wednesday 3rd of February at Essex University, Colchester there will be a presentation and discussion on the software Mathematica (To be held in PC Lab M, in Room 4S.2.4 .)
The agenda for the day is as follows:
· 12.00 – 12.30 Arrive. Sandwich lunch
· 12.30 – 14..30 Presentation by Andrew Pollard of Mathematica
· 14.30 – 15.00 Coffee, informal discussion
· 15.00 – 16.30 Further hands-on practice and sharing experiences of Mathematica.
The event is free of charge and anyone interested in Mathematica is encouraged to come along. It will be appropriate for beginners, and those with more experience will have the opportunity to share experiences of using Mathematica for teaching and maths support.
Contact Dan Brawn dbrawn@essex.ac.uk if you would like to attend.
For those working towards HEA Fellowship, attendance at and engagement with this event, and reflection on its implications for practice, could help to provide evidence towards elements of the UK Professional Standards Framework: A5, K1, K4

Beyond mathcentre: electronic resources for maths assessment and support
2016-01-22 10:30 - 16:00 | Treforest Campus of the University of South Wales
The sigma South West & South Wales Hub is hosting a meeting on ‘Beyond mathcentre: electronic resources for maths assessment and support‘ at the Treforest Campus of the University of South Wales on Friday 22nd January 2016 from 10:30 – 16:00.
This meeting will focus on electronic resources for maths assessment and support beyond the well known mathcentre. The aim of this meeting is for all attendees to leave with new starting points and contacts in their network to assist in exploring the wealth of electronic resources available for use in maths assessment and support. The meeting is suitable for any member of staff or postgraduate tutor involved in mathematics or statistics assessment or support in higher education.
There is no charge for attending this event and refreshments and lunch will be provided. For further information about the meeting, including a full schedule of the day, and to register your attendance please see: http://www.bath.ac.uk/study/sigma-sw/events/electronic-2016.html
For those working towards HEA Fellowship, attendance at and engagement with this event, and reflection on its implications for practice, could help to provide evidence towards elements of the UK Professional Standards Framework: A1, A4, A5, K2, K3, K4, V2, V3
For further information please contact Emma Cliffe, mash@bath.ac.uk

Preparing Students for Numerical Psychometric Tests
2016-01-15 10:30 - 15:00 | Queen Anne Court, QA063 Greenwich Campus, University of Greenwich, Old Royal Naval College, Park Row, SE10 9LS
The next sigma meeting organised by the South East Hub is taking place on Friday 15th January from 10:30-3pm at the University of Greenwich, Old Royal Naval College, London, SE10. The focus is on Preparing Students for Numerical Psychometric Tests.
Venue: Queen Anne Court, QA063 Greenwich Campus, University of Greenwich, Old Royal Naval College, Park Row, SE10 9LS
Directions: http://www2.gre.ac.uk/about/travel/greenwich
Speakers:

Ele Moreno (University of Greenwich, Employability and Carers Service) – What are numerical psychometric tests and how can we help students prepare for them?
Eleanor Lingham (Sheffield Hallam) – Resources to help prepare students for these tests
Kate Croucher (FDM Group, UK’s leading IT graduate employer) – The employers’ perspective
Janette Matthews (Loughborough University, sigma) – co-author and presenter of the Loughborough University FutureLearn course ‘Numeracy Skills for Employability and the Workplace’

Please email Noel-Ann Bradshaw if you would like to register for this event including details of any dietary requirements.
The programme is available here.

sigma Midlands Hub Tutor Training
2016-01-14 10:00 - 16:00 | University of Wolverhampton Walsall campus
The sigma Midlands Hub is holding a free new tutor training session on January 14th 2016 at the University of Wolverhampton Walsall campus. This free training day is for tutors who work in mathematics and statistics support centres or who otherwise support students to enhance their mathematical skills.
The course will be delivered by members of sigma, based around the sigma guide “Tutoring in a Mathematics Support Centre“. The training is ideal for Post Graduate tutors new to mathematics and statistics support but is open to anyone who wishes to reflect on the ways in which mathematics and statistics support differs from traditional lecturing.
This event is being hosted by the sigma Midlands hub. The program is available here.
To reserve a place at this FREE event, please email Ruth Fairclough r.fairclough@wlv.ac.uk
Financial support to assist with travel costs may be available (to delegates from the sigma Midlands hub region only) if tutors would otherwise be unable to attend. Please contact Ruth Fairclough, r.fairclough@wlv.ac.uk, sigma Midlands Hub Co-ordinator, for information.

sigma North West & North Wales Tutor Training
2015-12-15 10:00 - 16:00 | Lancaster University
Place: Lancaster University
Date: Tuesday 15th December 2015
Time: 10.00 – 16.00
A free training day is being held on Tuesday 15th December 2015 for tutors who work in mathematics and statistics support centres or who otherwise support students to enhance their mathematical skills.
The course will be delivered by members of sigma, based around the sigma guide “Tutoring in a Mathematics Support Centre“. The training is ideal for Post Graduate tutors new to mathematics and statistics support but is open to anyone who wishes to reflect on the ways in which mathematics and statistics support differs from traditional lecturing.
This event is being hosted by Lancaster University and the sigma North West and North Wales hub.
To reserve a place at this FREE event, please email Emma Jupp e.jupp@lancaster.ac.uk
Financial support to assist with travel costs may be available (to delegates from the sigma NWNW hub region only) if tutors would otherwise be unable to attend. Please contact Ian Jarman i.h.jarman@ljmu.ac.uk, sigma NWNW Hub Co-ordinator, for information.

R Day – Delivery of Statistics Support using R
2015-12-02 10:30 - 16:30
The popular and free software termed “R” is already well used by academics across various disciplines. The R Day, to be held at the University of Essex Campus near Colchester, will focus on how R can be used to provide statistical support to students and academics or to the wider community outside academia. Learning support centres, which offer excellent Maths support, often struggle to provide the same level of service in Stats beyond only basic statistical concepts. This sigma R day will explore how to use the R software in a teaching or help desk style scenario for Statistics.
The day will be led by three experienced practitioners:

Dr Spyros Vrontos (Essex University)
Dr Jim Bull (Swansea University)
Dr Magnus Johnson (Hull University)

Participants will not be expected to know R although some basic familiarity will be useful. Only elementary statistical knowledge will be assumed. It is envisaged that this sigma R day will be the first of a trio with Jim and Magnus hosting the other two at Swansea and Hull, thus neatly covering much of England and Wales.
The meeting will be particularly helpful for those just starting in a Stats support service, for example through the sigma funding initiative, but more experienced practitioners will also find it interesting and an opportunity to network with others.
The event will be attended by David Bowers, Chair of the sigma network, who will give an update on the sigma network.
Free event with a sandwich buffet provided. To book a place, or for further information, please contact: Dan Brawn, sigma Eastern England Hub Assistant Co-ordinator: dbrawn@essex.ac.uk

Deadline for contributions to the sigma Newsletter (December issue)
2015-11-13 17:00

sigma Midlands Tutor Training
2015-10-30 00:00 - 23:59
The Midlands hub will be running a free sigma Network Tutor Training event for mathematics and statistics support centres in the hub, and nearby regions, who wish to access sigma training for their tutors. It will be held at Wolverhampton University, Walsall campus on Friday 30th October, lunch and light refreshments will be provided. The training will be delivered by members of sigma and is based around the sigma guide.
This event has been postponed until early 2016.
Further information and reserving places
Tutors and staff attending should email r.fairclough@wlv.ac.uk to register and to find out more information.
Who might attend?

New postgraduate tutors
Staff tutors new to providing mathematics and statistics centre support
Centre staff who wish to learn more about how the training is delivered so as to inform local delivery or to help with delivery in the hub in the future. This training is not suitable for undergraduate students who work for centres but staff training these tutors are very welcome.

If you have any questions then get in touch! (r.fairclough@wlv.ac.uk)

sigma NW & NW tutor training
2015-10-28 11:00 - 16:00
Place: Liverpool John Moores University
Date: Wednesday 28th October 2015
Time: 11.00 – 16.00
A free training day is being held on 28th October 2015 for tutors who work in mathematics and statistics support centres or who otherwise support students to enhance their mathematical skills.
The course will be delivered by members of sigma, based around the sigma guide “Tutoring in a Mathematics Support Centre“. The training is ideal for Post Graduate tutors new to mathematics and statistics support but is open to anyone who wishes to reflect on the ways in which mathematics and statistics support differs from traditional lecturing.
This event is being hosted by the sigma North West and North Wales hub.
To reserve a place at this FREE event, please email Ian Jarman i.h.jarman@ljmu.ac.uk
Financial support to assist with travel costs may be available (to delegates from the sigma NWNW hub region only) if tutors would otherwise be unable to attend. Please contact Ian Jarman i.h.jarman@ljmu.ac.uk, sigma NWNW Hub Co-ordinator, for information.

sigma NE & Y Tutor training event
2015-10-16 12:00 - 16:30
The sigma North East and Yorkshire hub are hosting a tutor training event which is free and for mathematics and statistics support centres in the hub, and nearby regions, who wish to access sigma training for their tutors. It will be held at Leeds University on Friday 16th October and includes lunch and light refreshments. The training will be delivered by members of sigma and is based around the sigma guide and is suitable for:

New postgraduate tutors
Staff tutors new to providing mathematics and statistics centre support
Staff who wish to learn more about how the training is delivered so as to inform local delivery or to help with delivery in the hub in the future.

sigma Tutor Training Event
Friday 16th October 2015, 12-4:30pm
THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED
The University of Leeds, Footsteps Room, Laidlaw Library, Leeds LS2 9JT
Register here: http://neytutortraining2015.eventbrite.co.uk
If you have any questions and/or require further information please email Vijay Teeluck V.Teeluck@leeds.ac.uk or Chetna Patel chetna.patel@SHEFFIELD.AC.UK.

sigma SW & SW Tutor Training
2015-10-02 10:30 - 15:30 | Cardiff University
Place: Cardiff University
Date: Friday 2nd October 2015
Start time: 10:30 End Time: 15:30
This free sigma Network Tutor Training event is for mathematics and statistics support centres in the South West and South Wales, and nearby regions, who wish to access sigma training for their tutors. It will be held at Cardiff University on Friday 2nd October, lunch and light refreshments will be provided.
The training will be delivered by members of sigma and is based around the sigma guide. For those working towards HEA Fellowship, attendance at and engagement with this event, and reflection on its implications for practice, could help to provide evidence towards elements of the UK Professional Standards Framework.
Further information, contacts and forms at http://www.bath.ac.uk/study/sigma-sw/events/training-2015.html
Mathematics and statistics support centres in the SW&SW hub region should estimate likely attendance from their centre as soon as possible using the estimation form and tutors attending should then each register. Both forms are available at the above link.

sigma SE Tutor Training
2015-09-07 10:45 - 15:30 | Kings College, London
The South East hub will be running a free sigma Network Tutor Training event for mathematics and statistics support centres in the hub, and nearby regions, who wish to access sigma training for their tutors. It will be held at Kings College, London on Monday 7th September, and lunch and light refreshments will be provided. The training will be delivered by members of sigma and is based around the sigma guide.
The event will take place in room K0.18 in the King’s building, at the KCL Strand Campus.
Directions: http://www.kcl.ac.uk/campuslife/campuses/strand/Strand.aspx

Further information and reserving places
Further information including room and directions, will be available shortly and a programme can be found by clicking on the following link: Draft Programme -sept 2015.
To book a place please email Noel-Ann Bradshaw (n.bradshaw@gre.ac.uk) with names and dietary requirements (if applicable) of those wanting to attend from your institution.
Who might attend?

New postgraduate tutors
Staff tutors new to providing mathematics and statistics centre support
Centre staff who wish to learn more about how the training is delivered so as to inform local delivery or to help with delivery in the hub in the future.

This training is not suitable for undergraduate students who work for centres but staff training these tutors are very welcome.

2015/16 sigma student intern project funding call closes
2015-08-19 17:00
sigma is pleased to offer funding for the delivery of 6 student internship projects over the academic year of 2015/16. Previously these have been offered as summer internships, however, due to the timing of the end of current project funding, this final year’s intern project funding is being offered for “in-year” projects.
On offer are 6 grants of £2000 for student projects that will run for the equivalent of about 6 weeks full time work (about 220 hours) over the 2015/16 academic year. How the length of the project is constructed is up to the Proposer but this should be clearly outlined in the funding proposal. For example, the project could be constructed to run over a complete term or academic year. The projects will need to be completed and the final report submitted by the end of May 2016.
The grants can only be awarded if the hosting institutions match the funding to provide a second concurrent internship. Our previous experience has shown the real benefit of student interns having a fellow student to work with, even if their projects are separate. These projects are to be undertaken by undergraduate students and there is an expectation that their findings will be presented by the applicant and/or their students at the 2016 CETL-MSOR Conference, which is being hosted by Loughborough University.
Key Dates

Call for proposals Monday 29th June 2015
Closing date for proposals Wednesday 19 August 2015
Successful proposals announced Tuesday 1st September 2015

Please see the attached guidance notes and application form. These are also available at the www.sigma-network.ac.uk website. Please contact Moira Petrie if you have any queries.

sigma Newsletter contributions deadline
2015-08-14 17:00
Contributions for the September issue of the sigma Newsletter are due today. Please contact Janette Matthews.

sigma-sw regional hub meeting: Statistics for non-statisticians
2015-07-07 10:30 - 16:00 | University of Bath
The sigma South West & South Wales is hosting a meeting on ‘Statistics for non-statisticians‘ at the University of Bath on Tuesday 7th July 2015.
Those with a strong quantitative background are often approached to give advice on statistical problems, even though they may have no formal training in statistics. This workshop aims to provide non-statisticians with a guide to commonly encountered statistical concepts and their applications.
There is no charge for attending this event and refreshments and lunch will be provided. For further information about the meeting, including a full schedule of the day, and to register your attendance please see: http://www.bath.ac.uk/study/sigma-sw/events/stats-2015.html

Advanced Techniques in Numbas
2015-07-07 09:30 - 16:00 | Loughborough University
sigma, in conjunction with Newcastle University and the North West and North Wales Hub, is pleased to offer a two day Numbas workshop. Free and open source, Numbas allows the authoring of questions which include randomised content throughout and LaTeX rendering of mathematical notation. Tests provide instant feedback to the student, including rendering of the student’s answers in mathematical notation while they type, and a practice mode which lets students regenerate randomised questions for further practice without starting a new session.
This free event will be held at Loughborough University on 6th and 7th July 2015 and delegates can attend on one or both days, as required.
Day 1: An Introduction to Numbas
The day will provide an introduction to using Numbas, from logging on to the www.mathcentre.ac.uk editor, through selecting questions to make a test, to eventually writing your own questions.
Day 2: Advanced techniques in Numbas
The day will allow help with specific queries as well as demonstrating more advanced techniques. The focus of the day will be to allow delegates to work on their own Numbas projects, with help available from the Numbas team. It will include a session on good question-writing practice as well as a session on enabling collaboration using Numbas (database organisation, managing versions and changes, documentation) and trying out collaboration techniques (review each other’s questions, tag existing questions, triage existing questions into “ready to use” and “has problems”/”doesn’t work”).
The registration form for this event can be found at: https://lboro.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/numbas-workshop . Registration closes on 26th June 2015.
If you are planning on attending both days, please note that we are unable to provide free accommodation for this event but can signpost options for you so if you require accommodation, please contact Moira Petrie (m.g.petrie@lboro.ac.uk).

An Introduction to Numbas
2015-07-06 09:30 - 16:00 | Loughborough University
