Last October, 1729 Maths School launched a national competition designed to stretch and inspire young mathematical minds. The Impossible Orders competition was created for mathematicians aged 8-13 who love a challenge with students from across the UK invited to test their problem-solving skills.
To enter, children were asked to submit a video explaining their answers to a ours maths challenge problem designed by our very own Dr. George Watkins. The response was overwhelming: we received almost 200 submissions from passionate young mathematicians eager to share their thinking and showcase their problem-solving abilities.
Our panel of judges carefully reviewed every entry, and 1729 Maths School would like to thank everyone who took part. The quality of reasoning, clarity of explanation, and enthusiasm for mathematics made the process of selecting three winners both inspiring and incredibly difficult.
After much review, we were delighted to announce three winners:
- Maryam Al-Saabari, London
- Rohan Fors, Walthamstow
- Sid Kennedy, Bath
Last month, the winners enjoyed their remarkable prize: an exclusive Day in the Life of an Oxford Mathematician experience. The day included an Oxford-style tutorial with the incomparable Tom Crawford (Tom Rocks Maths), behind-the-scenes tours of two Oxford colleges (St Edmund Hall and Exeter College), and a visit to the Mathematical Institute.
It was a truly unforgettable day, offering the winners a glimpse into what studying mathematics at the highest level can look like. They explored historic surroundings, engaged in challenging mathematical discussions, and experienced the tutorial system that makes Oxford University world-renowned.
The winners, their accompanying adults and the 1729 team together celebrated not only the winners’ achievements but the passion and potential of all the young mathematicians who took part.
Dr. Watkins was keen to express his own praise for all the competition entrants. “A huge thank you to everyone who submitted a video for the Impossible Orders competition. Selecting the three winners felt like a similarly impossible task, so I want to congratulate Maryam, Rohan and Sid for their exceptional entries. Judging the videos was a real privilege, and the day we spent in Oxford will live long in the memories of everyone involved. I cannot wait to see even more young mathematicians rising to the challenge when we launch our next competition later this year!’
If your child loves problem solving, Dr. Watkins posts a new problem every week. Visit our Problem of the Week page and submit their solution online.
Winners and their families reflect on their Oxford visit
Winner 1
“Thank you so much for my prize day in Oxford! I had such an amazing day and it was really inspiring. My favourite part was the tutorial with Dr Tom Crawford, it was so fun and interesting. I also loved visiting the Maths Institute. It was fantastic to see where real mathematicians work! Thank you again for such a special day!”
Winner 2
“Thank you very much for such a wonderful day in Oxford. It was clear so much effort must have gone into planning the day and the reception at every place we went to was so warm. It felt like a true privilege. Best regards and good luck with the 1729 launch. As I mentioned to a few of you on the day, I think you might be making history.”
Winner 3
“We both really enjoyed the day, and we are very grateful for the opportunity and the experience. I think it really planted some seeds for my child, and I would not be at all surprised if it proves to be an important catalyst for him. Thank you again for such a fantastic day in the life experience on 27 February. We had a wonderful time and found the day incredibly inspiring.”
