Natural Math

Natural Math places the maker approach at the center of its mathematics education philosophy. Our motto: “Math is what you make it.” Our goal is to make advanced mathematics accessible to everyone in kind ways. For example, families with toddlers do projects on symmetry and tessellations, four-year-olds design function machines, and six-year-olds build fractal models of infinity. Natural Math has more than two decades of proven track record in curriculum and experience design, grant-supported and commercial research and development, national and international promotion of math circles, and building online communities for mathematical education. Join us in open online courses, innovative publications, and events where children make their own mathematics.

FESTIVAL EVENT(S):

2021 Festival

Paper Cutting Activity

Enjoy a new twist on a familiar paper cutting activity for your very young child. (All ages welcome!) Materials List Scissors Paper Colored markers, pencils, or crayons A couple of dozen cute small objects for grouping and counting: pebbles, shells, erasers, tiny figures, blocks, or anything else that’s pleasant to hold.... Learn more

Hopin: Sessions

Coloring Activity

Join us for a relaxing, simple mathematical art-making activity for your very young child. (All ages welcome!) Materials List Scissors Paper Colored markers, pencils, or crayons A couple of dozen cute small objects for grouping and counting: pebbles, shells, erasers, tiny figures, blocks, or anything else that’s pleasant to hold.... Learn more

Hopin: Sessions

Little Ones: Natural Math

Stop by and pick up resources for your little one! Learn the 7 principles of Natural Math: Math is what you make it. Natural Math is interested in creating rich, multi-sensory experiences for our children early on. We want to introduce them to the complex and exciting world around them. Learn more

Hopin: Booths

2019 Festival

People participating in the "Make or Take Spiral"

2019 Festival Make or Take Spiral

Take the Festival home—or back to your classroom! Get connected to local and national math clubs, online resources, and inspiration of varied shapes and sizes. This is for you: families with kids of all ages, mathematics educators, and crafty hands-on types who want to make something and take it home with them! Art of Problem Solving Explore the mathematical mystery of the... Learn more

Hall D and Hallways of Level 2, Walter E. Washington Convention Center

Adults and kids participating in an event

2019 Festival: Natural Math and Math On-A-Stick

Make patterns, tile with turtles, count, spiral and play your way to mathy delight! The fun is designed for preschool and primary-aged children, yet offers plenty to engage the minds of tweens, teens, and adults. Can you program algorithms without a computer? Can you learn calculus before you learn to tie your shoes? Where is algebraic geometry in paper snowflakes? Join the volunteers at... Learn more