Tom Button
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tombutton.bsky.social
Tom Button
@tombutton.bsky.social
Director for Data Science and Mathematics Technology at MEI - interested in using technology for learning maths, #ALevelMaths and #DataScienceEd - all views are my own or someone else's
This term we are repeating 'The Maths of Data Science and AI' PD course for A level Maths teachers.

You can learn about the maths in AI and how to integrate this into your #ALevelMaths lessons. It's free and there's a £350 bursary for attending the study day!

amsp.org.uk/event/b23514...
January 5, 2026 at 10:46 AM
It's given me an idea for a new curve: The Pendle Witch of Agnesi
December 15, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Some quotes from teachers on the AMSP 'The Maths of Data Science and AI' course:

"Relevant to day-to-day course teaching - immediate impact on students"
"The study day was amazing"
"Inspiriational"

You can sign up now for the spring course at: amsp.org.uk/event/b23514...
December 11, 2025 at 11:40 AM
Bookings for the AMSP spring term 'Maths into Data Science and AI' for students not studying A level Maths will close tomorrow.

It's a 9-week online course in using Python for data, machine learning and AI but not previous coding experience is needed.

amsp.org.uk/event/b08828...
December 4, 2025 at 10:53 AM
We've had lots of interest in the 'Maths into Data Science and AI' course for non-A level Maths students

It's ideal for students of Core Maths or A level Computer Science

Bookings for the spring term course close on Fri 5 Dec: amsp.org.uk/event/b08828...
December 1, 2025 at 10:59 AM
In differential equations I've always taught that the particular solution is only valid for the branch the point is on

eg for dy/dx=1/x² the partic soln thro' (1,0) is y=1-1/x (x>0)

x<0 is not included

I've never liked my explanation of why. Does anyone have a good one for #ALevelMaths students?
November 28, 2025 at 7:47 AM
I've had a great time over the last two weeks meeting teachers on the first set of our 'The Maths of Data Science and AI' teacher study days.

We're repeating the courses for #ALevelMaths teachers in the spring (with a bursary of £350 for the study day!).

Apply now: amsp.org.uk/event/b23514...
November 14, 2025 at 1:27 PM
Our popular PD course for #ALevelMaths teachers: 'The Maths of Data Science and AI' is now recruiting for the spring term

It's 5 online sessions and a study day (with a £350 bursary to attend the day)

You can sign-up now at: amsp.org.uk/event/b23514...
November 3, 2025 at 9:32 AM
Next term we'll be running a version of our popular 'Maths into Data Science and AI' course for non-A level Maths students.

This 9-session online course is ideal for students of Core Maths or A level Computer Science.

You can sign your students up now at: amsp.org.uk/event/b08828...
November 3, 2025 at 9:26 AM
Great to see @meimaths.bsky.social up among the sponsors at #ICTMT17London
October 21, 2025 at 9:23 AM
I like today's Google Doodle
September 17, 2025 at 6:57 AM
The Maths of Data Science and AI course features suggestions for how to integrate ideas around data science and AI into the teaching of #ALevelMaths

It's 5 online sessions and a study day. The London study day is full but there's still places for Birmingham and Leeds

amsp.org.uk/event/192742...
September 9, 2025 at 7:43 AM
We've got a new PD course for #ALevelMaths teachers: The Maths of Data Science and AI.

Learn how maths is used in machine learning/AI, get ideas for the classroom and improve your technology skills for data.

5 online sessions and a study day. You can sign-up now at: amsp.org.uk/event/192742...
September 3, 2025 at 10:33 AM
This term the AMSP is running a 'Maths into Data Science and AI' course for #ALevelMaths students. An online 11-week assessed course that introduces them to Python for data and machine learning.

1st cohort starts late September - you can sign your students up now at: amsp.org.uk/event/4d4629...
September 3, 2025 at 10:28 AM
I also have this post-it note above my desk for symbols you can get using ALT and the numeric keypad
July 18, 2025 at 7:14 AM
Our new course aimed at A level Maths students: 'Maths into Data Science and AI' is now opening for teachers to book their students onto for the autumn term.

This is a one-term online assessed course. We'll be running it again in the spring.

amsp.org.uk/event/4d4629...
July 11, 2025 at 1:14 PM
Misleading use of average klaxon!

(From the BBC website)
June 26, 2025 at 11:31 AM
Woah! @desmos.com have added folders to sort your shared graphs!
June 25, 2025 at 7:10 AM
You can also do a normal Normal Distribution calculation then edit the probability and it will reverse engineer it for you.
May 13, 2025 at 12:25 PM
Here's an example of an easily contested 'fact' given by AI.

I asked what the fastest ever time was at parkrun by a 50-year old and was told it was 18:46.

This is nonsense - I know of at least two 50 year olds personally who've run under 18 minutes!
May 12, 2025 at 11:00 AM
If you see this, post the most recent photo of yourself from your camera roll. No cheating!
May 7, 2025 at 1:07 PM
New CG100 from Casio. First impressions are that it looks really good.

There's a free emulator for teachers available via the website if you want to have a play education.casio.co.uk
May 6, 2025 at 8:20 AM
This has just come up in the memories on my phone. Still one of my favourite uses of @desmos.com
April 30, 2025 at 8:14 AM
From Wikipedia:
April 28, 2025 at 1:25 PM
Totally!

I'm a recent convert to 'barcode' plots; especially for smaller data sets:
April 3, 2025 at 5:20 AM