Firefighters from Barrow and Kendal have won a national award for a pioneering scheme which has helped hundreds of schoolchildren develop a burning passion for maths.
Nearly 800 pupils from schools in the south of the county have already taken part in the Red Hot Maths programme at Kendal and Barrow fire stations, which uses fire hoses, breathing apparatus and other fire fighting equipment to teach mathematical principles.
The scheme has received national recognition at this year's SETNET (Science, Engineering, Technology and Mathematics Network) awards which were held recently at the House of Lords.
Taking their lead from The Key Stage 3 National Numeracy Strategy which requires a practical understanding of mathematics in a variety of 'work' settings, firefighters use common fire-fighting equipment to help pupils calculate water tank capacities, hose volume and flow rates, sizes of buildings and respiratory rates.
Firefighters also deliver important fire safety messages to those taking part.
Developed with the help of SETPOINT Cumbria, the initiative is the only one of its kind in England and plans are already being developed to extend the scheme to other parts of the county.
The picture shows representations from Cumbria Fire & Rescue Service and SETPOINT Cumbria at the House of Lords where they were presented with the SETNET (Science, Engineering, Technology and Mathematics Network) award for Most Dedicated Organisation.
The award recognises Cumbria's groundbreaking work in highlighting the potential role firefighters can play in the education and development of future young scientists.
Elizabeth Barraclough, cabinet member responsible for the county's Fire and Rescue Service, said: "Maths is sometimes perceived as a dry, academic subject. This groundbreaking scheme is turning that perception on its head.
"By using firefighters as positive role models, and the practical application of fire fighting equipment, this scheme is making the subject more interesting for pupils and showing them how important it is to everyday life."
ENDS
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Notes
1. The photograph below shows a Jpeg. picture of Nicola Davies (Cumbria Fire & Rescue Service, Red watch Barrow) Tony Gill (SETPOINT) Joe Hamill (Cumbria Fire & Rescue Service, Coordinator Barrow), on the House of Lords' Terrace (28 February).
2. More information on SETPOINT Cumbria can be found at: www.setpointcumbria.co.uk/home.asp
3. Details on SETNET (Science, Engineering, Technology and Mathematics Network) can be found at: www.setnet.org.uk