The department held its 7th annual Florence Nightingale Day on Thursday 10th January with the aim of promoting mathematics and statistics to young women in years 11, 12 and 13.

The event, organised by Dr Nadia Mazza and Dr James Groves, was attended by students from schools across Lancashire and Cumbria and featured three excellent guest speakers. Dr Rhian Davies (Digital Rail) began the mathematical proceedings with a talk on her work as a data analyst and the importance of statistics in understanding randomness.

Following refreshments, students were then separated into groups and set a series of mathematical problems with enthusiastic coaching provided by our postgraduate students and staff. In the afternoon Dr Stephanie Yardley (University of St Andrews) presented on her work in modelling the Sun's atmosphere and Dr Isobel Falconer (University of St Andrews) spoke about the history of women in Mathematics.

The winners of the Maths Quiz were Runshaw College and each student was rewarded for their efforts with a souvenir to take home. The day included a Maths Ramble where students could learn about Lancaster University's undergraduate programmes in Mathematics and Statistics, including our new MORSE program in Mathematics, Operational Research, Statistics and Economics, and the many activities of the Advanced Mathematics Support Programme.

The event was supported by the department's outreach fund, a Faculty Outreach Grant and the Advanced Mathematics Support Programme.