I’m proud to serve as a board member of the National Museum of Mathematics (MoMath) where our mission is to inspire math exploration and discovery.
Why we need to act
Growing gaps in math proficiency affect the future of America’s economic and scientific leadership, and national security, which is tightly coupled with economic competitiveness, and requires strong capability in STEM fields.
We lack a steady pipeline of domestic STEM talent. In addition, women and minorities continue to be extremely underrepresented in STEM fields. Not to mention that research has identified the early development of a positive self-image around mathematics as critical to future academic achievement, and only 18 percent of low-income students are proficient in 8th grade math – a critical gateway course for success in college, career, and the skilling of the U.S. economy.
Impact
Inspiring math exploration and discovery is accessible is a the core of MoMath’s mission. As Manhattan’s only hands-on science center and the nation’s only museum centered on mathematics, MoMath is committed to bringing the wonder and beauty of mathematics, and its rich history as a human and cultural endeavor to growing audiences of all ages and backgrounds.
Over 1 million people, including 250,000 students, have experienced MoMath exhibits since MoMath opened its pi-handled doors to the public in 2012. Millions more have experienced its programs and traveling exhibits, serving people across the United States and in 10 countries across Europe, Asia, and Latin America. Not to mention that its online programing, which has reached school children in more than 100 countries.
Throughout its history, MoMath has created and implemented many innovative programs aimed at encouraging young people of all backgrounds — especially those that have traditionally been underrepresented in STEM fields — to engage with mathematics. These include MoMath’s Maxima program which provides free field trips to MoMath for children attending Title I schools, and “The Limit Does Not Exist” program through which tween and teen girls get the opportunity to discuss with a diverse group of female and gender-minority mathematicians their research and their personal journey.
And because math educators have a key role to play as agents of change to excite young people about math, the Museum awards annually, to a classroom teacher in the United States, the Rosenthal Prize for Innovation and Inspiration in Math Teaching to recognize and promote hands-on math teaching in upper elementary and middle school classrooms.
Join us on the mission!
You can support MoMath and our mission to inspire math exploration and discovery by:
- making a tax-deductible contribution at momath.org/contribute
- shopping the MoMath store at https://shop.momath.org/
Thank you for your support!