We’ve Got Problems!
A day of hands-on mathematical discovery at Hymers College - where Year 5 pupils tackle university-level ideas, outsmart each other at strategy games, and find out that Maths is far bigger than the curriculum.
DATES: Wednesday 17 June, Thursday 18 June, Friday 19 June 2026
TIME: 9:40am - 2:40pm
WHO: Teams of 4, Year 5 pupils
COST: Free - lunch provided for all pupils and accompanying staff
VENUE: Hymers College, Hull
What makes this day different?
We've Got Problems! isn't a maths competition, it's an invitation to think differently. Over one action-packed day, your Year 5 pupils will explore concepts that don't appear until GCSE and A-Level, delivered in ways that make them entirely accessible to curious nine and ten-year-olds.
Working in teams of four, pupils move through four hands-on activities: a strategy tournament, a laser-and-cannon physics challenge, a teamwork-intensive shapes puzzle, and an introduction to modular arithmetic, the same number theory studied at degree level. Every activity builds resilience, communication and creative problem-solving alongside genuine mathematical thinking.
All sessions are led by Hymers College staff from start to finish. Your accompanying adult is welcome to bring their own work (there's Wi-Fi on site) while your pupils take centre stage.
The four activities
Activity 1 - 10:00am
KONO
A two-player strategy game that rewards pattern-spotting and spatial thinking. Pupils learn the rules, develop winning strategies, then compete in a round-robin tournament against other schools. Fast, absorbing, and surprisingly deep.
Activity 2 - 11:00am
LASERS AND CANNONS
Pupils are introduced to the equation of a straight line (lasers) and projectile motion (cannons), topics from the GCSE and A-Level syllabus, made completely accessible for Year 5. They then use this knowledge interactively: adjusting parameters to hit targets and score points. Trial, error, discovery.
Acitivity 3 - 12:30pm
SHADY SHAPES
The maths here is familiar, fractions, decimals, percentages, ratio and area, but the challenge is all about teamwork. Pupils must collaborate, follow instructions and communicate clearly to solve an extended problem together. The maths is the vehicle; working as a team is the lesson.
Activity 4 - 1:30pm
MODULAR MACHINES
What does this number machine do? Pupils explore modulo arithmetic, a topic not usually encountered until university, by testing number machines, spotting patterns and working out the underlying rules. All they need is the ability to find a remainder. The results are remarkable.
The day at a glance
9:40am - Arrival and welcome
9:50am - Introduction to the day
10:00am - Activity 1: Kono
11:00am - Activity 2: Lasers and Cannons
12:00pm - Lunch (provided for all pupils and accompanying staff)
12:30pm - Activity 3: Shady Shapes
1:30pm - Activity 4: Modular Machines
2:30pm - Summary and presentation
2:40pm - Depart
Ready to bring your Year 5s?
Places are limited and fill up quickly. Book now to secure your team's spot - and consider entering We've Got Issues! on the same date.
