Bermudian schoolchildren will get the chance to meet a former commodities trader described as having one of the quickest mathematical brains on the planet next week.

Students at Berkeley Institute, CedarBridge Academy, Clearwater Middle School, Harrington Sound Primary School and Saltus Grammar School will benefit from workshops with American Mike Byster, who uses tricks and games to make learning maths fun.

A former trader at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, Mr. Byster now travels the US as a volunteer teacher dubbed the Human Calculator.

He is being brought to the Island by the Investment Bermuda charity and the Berkeley Institute board of governors.

Investment Bermuda director Anthony Witherspoon, a consultant to the Ministry of Education, said: “I saw Mike on 20/20 (an ABC news show in America) and it talked about his extraordinary maths talent. I was just blown away.

“He can do computations in his head in a matter of seconds. I contacted him and he indicated that there were thousands of schools trying to get him to come. After a little persuasion, I persuaded him to come and give workshops.

“Mike is said to have the fastest mathematical mind in the world. He will be providing maths workshops at several schools on the Island next week and will be meeting with the Premier on Monday.”