One of my favourite fairy tales as a child was Dick Whittington. I was always fascinated by the idea of streets being paved with gold. Whilst in Adelaide, I discovered a similar concept. On the ground outside a cafe on Rundle Street, lots of coins had been embedded into the ground.

The coins come from all over the world. It is a simple gesture which adds a sparkle to the street. It may not be quite a street paved with gold, but, I’m not complaining. The educational value of this concept is high. It reeks of potential and possibility!

It would be quite easy to create something similar within a school ground or outdoor space. It’s the equivalent of a money mosaic which could be on a wall or used as a stepping stone. Instead of ceramic or glass shards, just add coins. Many children and their families have coins from holidays and visits to friends and family abroad. Then watch children wonder about:

• Where the money comes from
• How much it is worth in our currency
• How to add it all up – which two coins create the highest value, etc.
• Different ways to rub the coins

All-in-all a lovely piece of street art to inspire mathematical thinking and financial education within a  school. This is a good complement to other money work outdoors.