For many people, ‘maths’ is synonymous with ‘calculating’. The facts and procedures taught in school have been known for hundreds and thousands of years, making it reasonable to believe that maths is ‘done’; that we know all there is to know, and the answer will always be in the back of the textbook (or just a Google away!). But maths is alive and well, with new facts and procedures being proven every day. In this talk, I will give a peek into some of the extremely accessible aspects of my research in knot theory, including some potential activities to take back to the classroom. The emphasis will be on maths that might not feel like maths, highlighting a puzzly, creative and not-so-calculation-heavy side of maths that many people never get to meet.

Key takeaways:
1. A basic introduction to the mathematics of knots.
2. Potential activities to take back to the classroom.
3. A fresh perspective on what makes something ‘maths’.