Year 6 pupils from St Thomas More College Marsascala Primary learnt maths in a fun way through an innovative bike race activity that integrated Physical Education and Mathematics as part of the school’s Open Week.

The pupils came to school with their bicycle or scooter, helmets and other protective wear. In groups of six, they rode for three laps of 300 metres each around Marsascala’s public garden as their parents looked on.

Meanwhile other pupils recorded the time of each lap for each rider using of a stopwatch. At the end, the groups had to find the teams’ speed by adding times, rounding up or down and division. Finally the groups plotted a graph of all the results.

The activity enabled the pupils to see abstract mathematical concepts they learnt in the classroom applied in a real context. As an additional bonus, the pupils and parents enjoyed themselves and saw how combining PE and Maths can result in a fun way of learning.

The event was organised by the PE teacher Odette Chetcuti, and maths support teacher Miriam Chetcuti.