Maths is full of stories, and some of the most interesting ones sit well beyond the pages of a textbook.
That is what makes the British Society for the History of Mathematics (BSHM) Schools Prize 2025–26 such a strong opportunity to share with students.
Open to schools in the UK and the Republic of Ireland, the competition has two age categories: 11–15 and 16–19. This year’s theme is Ethnomathematics, inviting students to explore mathematical ideas, patterns and practices found in traditional cultures and communities, particularly those that sit outside the usual boundaries of school mathematics.
That could include weaving, carving, design, navigation, games, construction, ritual, or other cultural practices with geometric or algorithmic features. Students can take the theme in many directions, but their submission must link to a real historical development or event.
One of the best things about this competition is its flexibility. Entries do not have to be essays. Students can submit a presentation, film, podcast, song, artwork, or another creative response, as well as written work. Essays should be around 1,000 words, excluding references, or the equivalent in another format.
BSHM is clear that submissions should be personal, original and led by the student’s own thinking. AI-based tools are not automatically ruled out, but the main contribution must be the student’s own, and entrants will be asked to explain whether AI was used and to what extent.
There are two first prizes of £150, one in each age group, with runner-up prizes of £50 where appropriate, as well as certificates for winners and runners-up. The deadline is Friday 19 June 2026 at midnight.
This feels like a great fit for enrichment, maths clubs, homework extension, or cross-curricular work linking maths with history, culture and creativity. It is also a nice reminder that mathematical thinking has deep roots in communities across the world, and that students can explore those ideas in ways that play to their own strengths.