Tes Maths: Top investigation ideas

Get secondary students thinking differently about maths with these creative investigations and problem solving challenges

Tes Resources Team

Directions and question mark showing Maths investigations for secondary students

Engaging investigation ideas to kick-start creative thinking in your classroom

Inspire and enthuse your secondary maths students with these investigation lessons, activities and challenges, giving them the opportunity to hypothesise, be creative, challenge themselves and work with other students. So, why not give it a try with this hand-picked collection of resources from the Tes community?

Creativity in Maths
DaveGale

Creativity in Maths

(29)
For all teachers of maths, this is a guide in booklet form about how you can view Creativity in Maths. What does it mean to be creative and how can you provide opportunities for creativity? There are five puzzles/tasks included in a ready to print format.
Murder Mystery. Game Problem solving KS2-3 (7-14)
maths126

Murder Mystery. Game Problem solving KS2-3 (7-14)

(472)
A murder has been committed! There are 32 suspects, and one of them is guilty. Using your powers of deduction, can you crack each of the five coded clues to reveal the identity of the killer? ANSWERS & TIPS INCLUDED **The Original TES Murder Mystery!**
Mathemagic. Games. Investigation. KS3 Ages 11-14
maths126

Mathemagic. Games. Investigation. KS3 Ages 11-14

(35)
NEW!! Excel Spreadsheets for the effect Total Disbelief. A collection of mathematical magic tricks for teachers. Particularly suitable for KS3 but also popular with older children. Each trick gives an anecdotal account of the effect being used in the classroom, followed by the explanation and teach...
Probability Investigation
Owen134866

Probability Investigation

(10)
Another lesson based on a worksheet I saw. Pupils investigate how many ways a coin can reach a certain destination according to a rule, then find the pattern of Pascal's Triangle. If you like this resource then please check out my other stuff on here!
Using two dice to Investigate areas of Polygons
WrightMaths

Using two dice to Investigate areas of Polygons

(0)
A lesson plan to engage students with finding the areas of polygons. Can be played in pairs, where two dice are used alongside small grids. Pairs plot the dice rolls as coordinates and make polygons. Grids and instructions included in powerpoint alongside some further questions and ideas. ...
Assorted Investigations
colinbillett

Assorted Investigations

(11)
Investigations were once a major part of GCSE until coursework was abolished, and one exam board said 'you can now concentrate on teaching&'. But we are in the business of learning, a word which is taking prominence over the word teaching. I've had fun with these over the years, and always...
Investigating Square Numbers, Factors & Primes
MathsByHeart

Investigating Square Numbers, Factors & Primes

(0)
Are you looking for engaging activities for your KS3 students that build a strong foundation for future maths success? Explore the patterns hidden in square numbers using prime factorization and composite numbers. A great end-of-the-year maths investigation. \ **Benefits:** * Boosts maths confid...
Binomial Expansion - 'Discover the formula!'  Investigation Worksheet
MrHenchy

Binomial Expansion - 'Discover the formula!' Investigation Worksheet

(0)
This worksheet is designed to introduce students to the topic of binomial coefficients, combination, and binomial expansion. It is split into 4 tasks for the students to work through independently (with a partner is recommended) and by the end of the worksheet they should be able to discover the f...