Maths Inside 2021 Winners

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Maths Inside is a yearly competition open to everyone in Scotland from Early Years right up to adults. Inspiration can come from the home, exercise route, daily dog walks or the weekly shop… it is your chance to get creative and make mathematical connections!

On Saturday 30 October, competition entrants across Scotland dressed up (some in their Halloween best!) and virtually came together to find out the winners of Maths Inside 2021. With nearly 800 entries, the judges had their work cut out this year picking the top slots!

Every entry this year was brilliant quality with a creative and insightful commentary. Throughout all of Maths Week Scotland we look to find the maths around us and these photographs captured this perfectly.

Check out the Category and Best Commentary winners below and get inspired for Maths Inside 2022! You can also find all the winners, commended and runners up on the Maths Inside website.

A huge well done to everyone who entered and a big thank you to the Maths Inside Organiser Andrew Wilson as well as the Maths Inside team and judges.

Category Winners

This year the categories for Maths Inside were in the home, in the wild and climate change.

In the Home

Starting in the home, James (S6) wowed the judges with this well timed photo of the moment a teacup spills over. His commentary highlights how such a simple pictures demonstrates fluid dynamics.

Border Version In the Home Category Winner In The Home James Corrie S6 The Exact Moment Before I Spilled Tea Everywhere


In the Wild

Venturing out to the beach, this winning entry from Jude (P1) showed us how perspective changes the size of things, using props and their own family for demonstration!

Border Version In the Wild Category Winner In The Wild Jude North P1 A Different Perspective


Climate Change

With COP26 taking place in November, this Climate Change winning entry from Evie (P5) consider overfishing and the role of maths in helping us manage this important issue.

Border Version Climate Change Category Winner Climate Change Evie Wood P5 Plenty More Fish in the Sea


Best Commentary

Commentary is an important part of the Maths Inside entries and this poem from Sgoil Stafainn (Staffin School) GM1-3 was a well deserved winner telling us all about the maths in planning, planting and sharing potatoes.

Border Version Overall Best Commentary Climate Change Sgoil Stafainn GM 1 3 P3 How Our Garden Grows

Commended Schools

Many schools supported their pupils to enter the competition as part of their Maths Week Scotland school celebrations. We saw great collaborations between art departments and maths departments as well as outdoor walks to find maths in the wild.

These schools received a commendation for outstanding engagement.

  • Bowmore Primary School
  • Buchanan High School
  • Port Ellen Primary School
  • The Edinburgh Academy
  • Grandtully Primary School
  • Poolewe Primary
  • Al Khalil College
  • Denholm Primary School
  • Williamwood High School


Feeling inspired? Head to the Maths Inside website for resources on how to find the maths around you and get practicing for next year!

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Maths Inside

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