Maths School Trip to New York

A WST tour to New York can support the study of elements of the following exam board specifications:

MUSEUM OF MATHEMATICS (MoMath)

Visit the National Museum of Mathematics and discover a side of ‘math’ you've never seen before. On a maths trip to New York, groups across Key Stage 3-5 will all appreciate exploring the amazing exhibits and taking part in inspiring educational sessions. MoMath — the coolest thing that ever happened to maths!

The educational sessions require pre-booking and include:

Topology

• Möbius Madness (KS3): Hands-on activities lead students to discover the surprising properties hidden around every twist and turn!
• Topological Tic-Tac-Toe (KS3-5): The familiar game of tic-tac-toe is made fun and challenging as students encounter the surprises delivered by some geometry and topology.

Knot Theory

• Tied in Knot Theory (KS3-4): Students are introduced to the mathematical theory of knots through group activities that have them making human knots with their own bodies! 
• Not the Unknot (KS3-5): This hands-on activity will teach students how to compute unknotting numbers by undoing basic knots made out of themselves!
• Stick Knots (KS3-5): Using wooden sticks, students will work in groups to learn how to construct knots and compute their “stick numbers.”

Cryptography

• The Secrets of Telling Secrets (KS3-5): Working with their classmates, students practice making and breaking different ciphers.
• Keeping Secrets in Public (KS5): Students are introduced to public key cryptography, which allows the public to encrypt but not decrypt, and only gives select individuals the decryption key. Using arithmetic and network graphs, students will explore this complex and fun type of secret-keeping!

Graph Theory

• From Prussia, with Math! (KS3-5): Working with their classmates, they will discover the mathematics of constructing paths on graphs, encountering both classical problems as well as problems that remain unsolved today!
• Graphs of the Rainbow (KS3-5): Working in small groups, students learn the many shades of graph colouring problems, including how to use graphs to colour a map so that no two regions that share a border have the same colour.
•  Graph Games (KS4-5): Various competitive and cooperative games are played on graphs, introducing students to some of the methods that mathematicians use to study the fundamental structure and characteristics of graphs.

Probability

• Crazy Dice (KS3-5): Once students find the probability of rolling a given sum with a pair of standard dice, they are challenged with finding a different way to number their dice to get the same probabilities. Crazy!
• Evening the Odds (KS3-5): The probability of rolling different sums with a standard pair of dice depends upon the sum in question. This activity guides students to find ways to renumber their dice so every sum appears with the same probability. But then, what sums are possible to fit into this scheme?
• Crazier Dice (KS3-5): Students work together first to understand the probabilities encountered when rolling eight-sided dice, and then to find alternative ways to number these octahedral dice without changing those probabilities.

NEW YORK HALL OF SCIENCE: MATHEMATICA 

Mathematica is an interactive exhibition devoted to maths. On a New York maths trip, the museum displays the range of mathematics, and uses a time-tested collection of exhibits to share the excitement that mathematicians find in pursuing their science. Through a combination of hands-on activities and dynamic models, pupils can explore how maths has impacted so many facets of the contemporary world, from the devices we carry in our hands to the changes in social sciences, art, music, and architecture.

Exhibits include:

• Celestial Mechanics
• History Wall
• Mathematics Image Wall
• Mathematical Model Case
• Minimal Surfaces
• Mobius Band
• Multiplication Machine
• Probability
• Projective Geometry

Workshops are available up to KS5 equivalent that run for 45 minutes and include titles such as;

• Mineral Madness (KS3-4)
• D-N-Amazing (KS3-5)
• Forensics Frenzy (KS3-4)

In total NYSCI features more than 450 interactive exhibits, live science demonstrations and much more so as well as the Maths element there is so much more to see and do with relevance to STEM.  Follow this link to see the full range of exhibitions and activities - Mathematica

MUSEUM OF AMERICAN FINANCE & WORKSHOPS

This evolving museum contains informative exhibits related to all areas of finance including trading, market fluctuations, a history of money and more. Whilst visiting the Museum, along with a guided tour, your students can take part in a 45-60 minute workshops taught in the education center by museum educators and industry experts. The most popular workshops are:

• Financial Markets: This 45 minute introductory class covers the capital markets from ancient trade through to the present, including stock, bond and commodity shares. In this class you'll learn about trade and why countries participate in it.
• Open Outcry: Trading Now and Then: This class teaches students the mechanics of trading markets, the interplay between profit-seeking individuals and the economics of market pricing. In addition, students are exposed to a modern electronic trading platform. 
• Your Money and Your Success: This course demonstrates for students why being financially savvy helps them gain a competitive advantage in the workplace and in life.

FINANCIAL DISTRICT WALKING TOUR 

This tour of Manhattan with includes visits to some of the most famous financial areas of New York City. You will get the chance to pay visits to Wall Street, the New York Stock Exchange and Battery Park. It can be tailored to take you to see whatever is of interest to you and your students.

The New York Stock Exchange itself  has been closed to visitors since 9/11, but the impressive building’s Roman temple design makes an impressive photo stop, complete with soaring columns, carved pediment, lofty proportions, and fluttering US flags.

FEDERAL RESERVE BANK MUSEUM

Visitors to the Federal Reserve Bank Museum can embark on a free guided tour of the Fed where you can have an exclusive visit to the gold vault and  get an overview of the Federal Reserve System. Learn about the role of the New York Fed and the Federal Reserve System in setting monetary policy, promoting financial stability, and serving communities to advance economic growth.

Your students will get the chance to see how the bank is run and the economic effects  the Monetary Policy Committee can create – good and bad! Guided visits are available Monday – Friday at 10am and 11am and students must be 16+. 25 students max per tour.

MEET THE FINANCE PROFESSIONAL WORKSHOP

During a New York maths trip, your group will have a conversation with a successful Financial Analyst, Trader or from a professional in another branch of finance. Let us know your who you’d like to meet! Learn about career options in the Financial industry and how to jump start your career into this field. You will have time for Q&A in this 90 minute session. 

MIDTOWN MANHATTAN ARCHITECTURE WALKING TOUR 

New York’s world famous skyscrapers and landmarks make the perfect excuse to take a guided walking tours and add in your own element of height estimation and discuss the maths in some of this incredible architecture. The most popular walking stops include; Empire State Building, Rockefeller Building, Chrysler Building, One World Observatory, World Trade Centre Site, Fifth Avenue, 42nd street, Central Park, Times Square.

YANKEE STADIUM & MUSEUM TOUR

Take a ‘Classic Group Tour’ of this impressive stadium and why not try some seating estimates with your students based on the structured seating lay out.  The tours include the New York Yankees Museum, Stadium including Monument Park, Press Box and the Warning Track/Legends and outdoor seating. 

MADISON SQUARE GARDEN ALL ACCESS TOUR 

Another chase to encourage your students to apply some estimation work whilst Exploring exclusive VIP areas of the state-of-the-art arena. Discover the spectacular Chase Bridges, get the inside scoop on all your favourite players when you explore the Knicks and Rangers locker rooms*, and view the arena like never before.

Empire State Building

No school trip to New York is complete without a visit to the top of New York’s most iconic skyscraper. Be aware that there will be queues here.

The National September 11 Memorial & Museum

Located on the World Trade Center site this memorial is a tribute of remembrance and honour to the people killed in the terrorist attacks of 11th September 2001. The main feature of the memorial is the twin reflecting pools which sit within the footprints of where the twin towers once were. The names of every person who died are inscribed into bronze panels edging the pools.The 9/11 Memorial Museum includes an exhibition on the events of 9/11 and the aftermath. 

Harbour Cruises

Get a close up view of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, you can choose from two options:

The Liberty Cruise: A one-hour cruise of the harbour

The Island Cruise: A hop-on/hop-off cruise that gives students the opportunity to explore both Liberty Island and Ellis Island.

Hershey's Chocolate World  

The Hershey’s Chocolate World Sweet Educational Tour is ready to show you a world you've never known. Set as A walking tour of the iconic Times Square location, this learning experience is about more than milk, sugar and cocoa. You'll learn more about Hershey’s iconic brands, why we decided to come to the crossroads of the World, Times Square, and of course taste several different Hershey’s products. Milton Hershey loved nothing more than to enrich the lives of others, and this tour plans to do just that!

Madison Square Garden All Access Tour

An insider’s look at this state of the art arena. You will explore the Knicks and Rangers locker rooms and relive historic moments with the new Garden 366 experience and Defining Moments exhibit. 

Metropolitan Opera

‘The Met’ opera company is located at the Lincoln Center for Performing Arts and is the largest classical music organisation in North America. The season runs from September to May and the schedule of performances offers some student rates on key performances throughout this time. 

NBC Studio Tour

Go behind the scenes of some of the most well-known TV shows. You will visit the NBC Sharp Globe Theatre, Broadcast Operations, the Make Up room, and even produce your very own news and weather programme.

Radio City Stage Door Tour

Explore the theatre, lounges and corridors of the most iconic theatre in New York. You can explore the art deco interiors, learn the secrets of the Great Stage one of the largest indoor performance stages in the world, view the celebrity signed guest book and meet a world famous Radio City Rockette.

Sporting Events

Subject to availability your group can attend a sporting event in and around the city. If you ask us early enough we can look at what is available with all the different New York teams for something to suit your budget. 

TV & Movie Set Tours

Choose from a range of coach or walking tours around the city, taking in locations of well-known shows and movies, venues where the stars hang out and even see where your favourite celebrities live. Shows and movies include Friends, Seinfeld, Glee, The Devil Wears Prada, Spiderman, Elf, Hitch and many more. Themed tours include Sex and the City Hotspots, Central Park Movie Sites, Gossip Girl Sites and Sopranos Sites.

Top of the Rock

The observation desk at the top of the Rockefeller Center provides a unique 360 degree view of New York, including the Empire State Building. 

One World Observatory 

The tallest observatory in the western hemisphere, located at the 9/11 memorial site, offering spectacular panoramic views of New York. The visit also includes numerous videos and multimedia experiences. There are 5 lifts including a sky pod elevator that ascends to the 102^nd floor in under 60 seconds. You can choose from various cafés and restaurants. Visit lasts approx. 45 to 60 minutes.  

Broadway Theatre Productions

Give your students an experience to remember by arranging a trip to a Broadway show. They’ll really go home with the ‘WOW’ factor. Current popular shows are Lion King, Wicked, Jersey Boys, Disney’s Aladdin, Chicago and Matilda.

Shopping

A trip to New York is not complete without a trip to world famous shops and department stores: 

Fifth Avenue: Some of New York’s best known shops can be found here including FAO Schwarz, Apple Store, Abercrombie & Fitch and Saks 

Bloomingdales: Located close to Fifth Avenue, a little brown bag from Bloomingdales is an iconic souvenir from a trip to New York.

Macy’s: The largest department store in New York, located on West 34^th Street 

Century 21: A bargain hunters paradise, located close to Ground Zero 

South Street Seaport: This Lower Manhattan eastside shopping destination offers a distinct mix of shops, restaurants and cafés.  

Restaurants

We can arrange evening meals at most of the restaurants in the city. The most popular choices for students are:

• Planet Hollywood
• Hard Rock Café
• Bubba Gump Shrimp
• Bucca Di Beppo
• Dave and Busters
• B Smiths
• Bowlmor - bowling and dining
• Italian Restaurants
• Chinese Restaurants