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Tom Button

@tombutton.bsky.social
1.3K followers 330 following 700 posts

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

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Tom Button @tombutton.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
I've not found an easy way to do it either. Another alternative is that you can create the list [0,z_1] and then click on the formatting option for the list and switch the line on
Screenshot of complex numbers in Desmos
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Tom Button @tombutton.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
I've used it where I leave the blue graph on there but ask them where the equivalent point is on the blue graph. I want an answer from them that involves a and b so that when I move the sliders it moves with them.
Desmos screen shot
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Tom Button @tombutton.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
One of my favourite uses of Desmos for this is to pick a point (a root works well) and ask what the coordinates of the transformed point would be. If it's entered correctly then it will move as it should when a and b are changed
Desmos transformations of graphs screen shot
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Tom Button @tombutton.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
The AMSP 'Bringing the Maths of Data Science and AI into the #ALevelMaths classroom' PD course is open for booking Learn about how to integrate data science ideas into your teaching 4 online sessions and a study day - starts 14 Oct … … and there's a £350 bursary amsp.org.uk/teachers/mat...
A presenter talking to a group of teachersA laptop showing a set of box plot
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Tom Button @tombutton.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
I saw this graph from @jburnmurdoch.ft.com on LinkedIn (posted without credit but the FT styling was a giveaway!). A really interesting chart to discuss in #AlevelMaths, Core Maths or Data Science lessons.
Plot of life expectancy vs income for England and US from @jburnmurdoch at the FT
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Tom Button @tombutton.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
AMSP's 'Maths into Data Science and AI' 11-week free online course is also available for students not taking A level Mathematics. If you've got students taking A level Computer Science or Core Maths this version is ideal. You can sign up your students now at: amsp.org.uk/teachers/mat...
A data scientist pointing at a screen
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Tom Button @tombutton.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
The AMSP 'Bringing the Maths of Data Science and AI into the A level Mathematics classroom' PD course is now open for booking for the autumn term 4 online sessions and a study day in London, Birmingham or Manchester (and there's a £350 bursary for attending!) amsp.org.uk/teachers/mat...
A presenter in front of a screenTeachers at a professional development day
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Tom Button @tombutton.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
The AMSP Maths into Data Science and AI courses for #ALevelMaths and non-A level Maths students are now open for booking for the autumn term. You can apply now for your students at: A level - amsp.org.uk/teachers/mat... Non A level - amsp.org.uk/teachers/mat...
A data scientist pointing at a graph on a screen
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Tom Button @tombutton.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
About to set off to my 25th MEI Conference - hopefully see some of you there! #MEIConf2026
MEI Conference
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Tom Button @tombutton.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
'Introduction to the Maths of AI' webinar is today (18:00-19:30). You can find out more about how topics from #ALevelMaths are fundamental to the development of artificial intelligence. There's still time to sign up: amsp.org.uk/teachers/mat...
Data -> Machine learning -> AI
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Tom Button @tombutton.bsky.social · 15/06/2026
'Introduction to the Maths of AI' webinar is this Thursday (18 June) 18:00-19:30. Find out about how #ALevelMaths is used in the development of machine learning and artificial intelligence. You can still sign-up at: amsp.org.uk/teachers/mat...
Presentation slide for Introduction to the Maths of AI
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Tom Button @tombutton.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
The AMSP is running a free webinar for teachers on 'Introduction to the Maths of AI' - Thu 18 Jun 18:00-19:30 You can find out more about how Maths is used in the development of AI and get ideas for the #ALevelMaths classroom. Sign-up now at: amsp.org.uk/event/3e170e...
Data > Machine Learning > AI
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Tom Button @tombutton.bsky.social · 01/06/2026
The AMSP 'Introduction to the Maths of AI' webinar for #ALevelMaths teachers is on 18 June 18:00-19:30 You can sign-up now at: amsp.org.uk/event/3e170e...
Data -> Machine Learning -> AI
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Tom Button @tombutton.bsky.social · 18/05/2026
Are you interested in how maths is used in the development of Artificial Intelligence and how you can integrate this into the teaching of #ALevelMaths? 'Introduction to the Maths of AI' is a 90-minute webinar on Thu 18 June (18:00-19:30). You can sign-up now at amsp.org.uk/maths-into-ai/
Flowchart showing: Data > Machine learning > AI
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Tom Button @tombutton.bsky.social · 14/05/2026
I saw the Sarah and Duck puppet show live a few years ago. It was great but the style of the puppets made it look like the puppeteers were holding guns to their heads. It added a very dark dimension to the show!
Sarah and Duck puppet show
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Tom Button @tombutton.bsky.social · 22/04/2026
I had to think about this as I expected a graphical solution to show multiple values but these are always a pair that are symmetrical in the line y=x
Screenshot from Desmos
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Tom Button @tombutton.bsky.social · 21/04/2026
In addition to our 5-session course on 'Bringing the Maths of Data Science and AI into the #ALevelMaths classroom' next half term we'll also be running a one-off webinar: Introduction to the Maths of AI Thu 18 June - 18:00-19:30 Book now at: amsp.org.uk/maths-into-ai/
A data scientist pointing at a screen
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Tom Button @tombutton.bsky.social · 20/04/2026
We're repeating our popular course again in June/July Bringing the Maths of Data Science and AI into the #ALevelMaths Maths classroom - Blended (4 online sessions + study day, with £350 bursary) - Online only (5 sessions) Sign-up now: amsp.org.uk/maths-into-ai/
A data scientist pointing at a screen
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Tom Button @tombutton.bsky.social · 13/04/2026
There's still time to sign-up for our Bringing the Maths of Data Science and AI into the A Level Computer Science Classroom course that starts next week. It's 4 live online sessions and a face-to-face study day (with a £350 bursary for attending). amsp.org.uk/maths-into-ai/
A data scientist pointing at a screen
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Tom Button @tombutton.bsky.social · 23/03/2026
Exciting news - we're looking for someone to join the @meimaths.bsky.social team to work on our 'Maths into AI' courses for teachers and students from September. We're especially keen to hear from teachers with experience of teaching A level Computer Science. mei.livevacancies.co.uk#/job/details...
A presenter at a conference in front of a screen.
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Tom Button @tombutton.bsky.social · 20/03/2026
'The Big Earth Data Project' is a set of 10 lessons written for teaching statistics in #ALevelMaths using real climate data collected from satellites and ground measurements Each lesson has: * Lesson plan * Presentation * Link to the data if you want to explore further mei.org.uk/what-we-do/c...
An image of the Earth from space
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Tom Button @tombutton.bsky.social · 19/03/2026
We're running the AMSP 'Bringing the Maths of Data Science and AI into the #ALevelMaths Classroom' course for teachers again next term Two different formats: - Online only - Blended (online with a face-to-face study day) You can sign up now amsp.org.uk/maths-into-ai/
A data scientist pointing at a screen.
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Tom Button @tombutton.bsky.social · 17/03/2026
It also had strong a 'Hey, kids' vibe
'How do you do, fellow kids' meme
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Tom Button @tombutton.bsky.social · 11/03/2026
'Bringing the Maths of Data Science and AI into the A level Maths classroom' is running again next term with 3 different options: • 5 online sessions (Apr-May) • 4 online sessions + study day - with a £350 bursary (Jun-Jul) • 5 online sessions (Jun-Jul) amsp.org.uk/maths-into-ai/
A presenter in front of a screenA teacher using a laptop
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Tom Button @tombutton.bsky.social · 27/02/2026
Our Maths into AI courses got a mention in the recent Department for Education white paper! You can sign up for the summer cohort of our teacher course now: amsp.org.uk/maths-into-ai/
Screenshot of DfE white paper saying "... A new pilot programme is also supporting teachers and children to understand the value and role of maths and statistics in machine-learning and AI."
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Tom Button @tombutton.bsky.social · 23/02/2026
We've got various versions of our Bringing the Maths of Data Science and AI into the A level Classroom course coming up: - For Computer Science teachers (online + study day) - For Maths teachers (online only) - For Maths teachers (online + study day) Book now at: amsp.org.uk/maths-into-ai/
Table of courses
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Tom Button @tombutton.bsky.social · 09/02/2026
We're running our popular 'Bringing the Maths of Data Science and AI into the A level Classroom' PD course again in the summer term. 2 options: only-only and blended (online with a study day) Bookings are open now: amsp.org.uk/maths-into-ai/
A presenter in front of a screenSomeone working with Desmos on a laptop
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Tom Button @tombutton.bsky.social · 30/01/2026
New resources for #ALevelMaths on the @meimaths.bsky.social website - we've updated the Casio graphical calculator tasks with instructions for the CG100 mei.org.uk/resource/int...
Screenshot of a graphical calculator classroom task
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Tom Button @tombutton.bsky.social · 28/01/2026
They write fg(x) - it's defined in the specifications:
Screen shot from A level Mathematics specifications
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Tom Button @tombutton.bsky.social · 05/01/2026
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...
A person using Desmos on a laptopA speaker stood in front of a scree
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Tom Button @tombutton.bsky.social · 15/12/2025
It's given me an idea for a new curve: The Pendle Witch of Agnesi
graph of y=1/(tanh^2 x +1)
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Tom Button @tombutton.bsky.social · 11/12/2025
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...
A presenter in front of a screeA person's hand using Desmos on a laptop
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Tom Button @tombutton.bsky.social · 04/12/2025
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...
Someone pointing at a laptop screen with data and charts on it
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Tom Button @tombutton.bsky.social · 01/12/2025
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...
A data scientist pointing at a screen
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Tom Button @tombutton.bsky.social · 28/11/2025
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?
Screenshot of GeoGebra show y=1-1/x
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Tom Button @tombutton.bsky.social · 14/11/2025
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...
A presenter stood by a screenA presenter stood by a screenA teacher using DesmosA teacher using Desmos
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Tom Button @tombutton.bsky.social · 03/11/2025
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...
Somebody pointing at histograms on a computer screen
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Tom Button @tombutton.bsky.social · 03/11/2025
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...
A data scientist pointing at a graph on a screen
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Tom Button @tombutton.bsky.social · 21/10/2025
Great to see @meimaths.bsky.social up among the sponsors at #ICTMT17London
Plenary speaker at ICTMT conference
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Tom Button @tombutton.bsky.social · 17/09/2025
I like today's Google Doodle
Google Doodle featuring a quadratic equation
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Tom Button @tombutton.bsky.social · 09/09/2025
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...
Somebody pointing a graphs on a screen
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Tom Button @tombutton.bsky.social · 03/09/2025
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...
Teachers on a professional development course
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Tom Button @tombutton.bsky.social · 03/09/2025
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...
A data scientist pointing to a graph on a screen
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Tom Button @tombutton.bsky.social · 18/07/2025
I also have this post-it note above my desk for symbols you can get using ALT and the numeric keypad
Post it note with keyboard shortcuts
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Tom Button @tombutton.bsky.social · 11/07/2025
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...
A data scientist pointing at some data on a screen.
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Tom Button @tombutton.bsky.social · 26/06/2025
Misleading use of average klaxon! (From the BBC website)
Image of news item saying "One child in every classroom is IVF, new research suggests"
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Tom Button @tombutton.bsky.social · 25/06/2025
Woah! @desmos.com have added folders to sort your shared graphs!
Screenshot showing folders for shared graphs in Desmos
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Tom Button @tombutton.bsky.social · 13/05/2025
You can also do a normal Normal Distribution calculation then edit the probability and it will reverse engineer it for you.
Normal distribution caclulation on a Casio Graphical calculator.
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Tom Button @tombutton.bsky.social · 12/05/2025
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!
Screenshot of Google search showing AI result.
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Tom Button @tombutton.bsky.social · 07/05/2025
If you see this, post the most recent photo of yourself from your camera roll. No cheating!
A man in a Darth Vader mask
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