Reflecting on National Numeracy Day: How F4S Celebrated and How You Can Get Involved
At F4S, we marked National Numeracy Day in style—with a celebration of how mathematics empowers discovery, creativity, and real-world impact.
This special day was the perfect opportunity to help students see that maths is more than numbers—it’s a language that shapes the world around us. To bring this message to life, we spotlighted the stories of remarkable women whose mathematical brilliance changed history.
What We Did
This year, we focused on inspiring students through the stories of women in mathematics—figures who have used their mathematical brilliance to make history, challenge stereotypes, and shape the future.
By sharing these stories, we aimed to help students see that maths is not just about equations—it’s about exploration, impact, and identity.
Meet the Trailblazers:
🌟 Katherine Johnson
A pioneering African-American mathematician, Katherine Johnson played a crucial role in NASA’s early space missions—calculating the flight paths for both the first American in space and the Apollo 11 moon landing. Her precision and perseverance changed the course of science and history.
📣 “Girls are capable of doing everything men are capable of doing.”
🌟 Maryam Mirzakhani
Maryam Mirzakhani was the first woman to win the prestigious Fields Medal 🏅, often called the “Nobel Prize of Mathematics.” Her groundbreaking research on geometry and surfaces continues to influence the field today. Her journey encourages students to approach problems with patience and passion.
📣 “The beauty of mathematics only shows itself to more patient followers.” 🧠✨
🌟 Sophie Germain
A self-taught mathematician, Sophie Germain defied the norms of her time by studying under a male pseudonym. Her contributions to number theory and elasticity continue to inspire. Her story is a testament to resilience and the power of self-belief.
📣 “Algebra is nothing more than geometry, in words; geometry is nothing more than algebra, in pictures.” 🎨➗
🌟 Hypatia of Alexandria
Living over 1,600 years ago in ancient Egypt, Hypatia was a philosopher and mathematician who taught geometry, algebra, and astronomy. At a time when women were rarely seen in such roles, her pursuit of knowledge and teaching preserved key Greek mathematical ideas.
📣 Hypatia’s life shows us the enduring power of curiosity, courage, and education.
By sharing these stories, we aimed to help students see that maths is not just about equations—it’s about exploration, impact, and identity.
Set a Student Challenge
To build on this inspiration, we set students a challenge:
Plan a weekend inspired by one of these pioneering women—and put their numeracy skills to the test!
From travel costs and entry fees to food and fun, this activity helps students practice budgeting, savings, and decision-making in a creative, real-world context.
👉 Click here to access the student challenge resource
How Educators Can Get Involved
Looking ahead, there are plenty of ways for teachers to bring the spirit of National Numeracy Day into the classroom year-round:
- Incorporate real-world maths stories into lessons—link topics like algebra, geometry, or data with the people and problems that make them matter.
- Introduce students to diverse role models in STEM—use our resources to showcase mathematicians from different backgrounds, cultures, and industries.
- Encourage reflective conversations—ask students how they see maths in their own lives, their communities, or the careers they aspire to.
- Use our Career Acceleration Sessions to help students connect numeracy skills with future pathways—from tech and engineering to entrepreneurship and creative industries.
Start the Conversation
Want to take the next step?
Book a career acceleration session here
