At school, maths and science are often treated as separate subjects. But in reality, the two are deeply connected, from data collection and measurement to problem solving and pattern spotting. In this episode, Jon Cripwell speaks with Leonie Briggs, award-winning educator, author, and founder of AmazeLab, about how we can make those links explicit and bring both subjects to life for children.
Leonie shares how her career journey from veterinary practice to education shaped her practical approach to teaching, why she believes science should be colourful and creative, and how teachers can build pupils’ confidence by connecting learning across the curriculum. The conversation explores simple, memorable ways to integrate maths into science lessons (and vice versa) while keeping activities manageable and meaningful in a busy classroom.
“Nothing works without maths. From pulleys and catapults to chromatography and colour, every part of science depends on mathematical thinking.”
“If we want children to see maths as useful and meaningful, we have to let them experience it through the world around them.”
“Creativity isn’t separate from STEM. The arts help us make ideas visible, tangible and memorable.”
Leonie Briggs is an award-winning educator, author and founder of AmazeLab, a science and STEAM education company that creates hands-on, practical learning experiences for schools. She has taught across primary, secondary and post-16 settings and is a passionate advocate for creative, accessible STEM education. Leonie is also a National Numeracy Champion, supporting initiatives to build confidence with numbers for learners of all ages.
Find Leonie on LinkedIn or visit www.amazelab.co.uk.
Jon Cripwell is the National Education Lead for Primary Maths at Twinkl. He works with schools, trusts, and maths hubs to support high-quality teaching and learning, and hosts The Primary Maths Podcast, exploring the big...