Mo Math, Yes Please!

SPS Elementary Math accompanied some other educators and ventured into NYC today in order to do some recognizance on the newly opened Museum of Mathematics. The results were quite pleasing. We saw a variety of hands on displays in a museum that was jam packed with both kids and adults. Everyone seemed engaged and eager to participate and learn at each exhibit.

There were holograms that could be controlled by tugging on strings, Shapes of Space, and a Mathenaeum where you could create new solids and extrude the faces.

There was also the highly anticipated Square Wheeled Trike. Children of all ages lined up to take a couple of laps on this innovative vehicle. Honestly it looked like an enjoyable ride as various kids zipped by on their groundbreaking cruiser.

There were a number of activities for students to participate in downstairs too. There was an impressive electronically wired multiplication table, randomly shaped figures that rolled continuously and encouraged students to determine which arrangement made which tracks, and a video screen that reflected your image and created multiples of your image in place of your extremities.

Additionally Mo Math featured the Enigma Café, fully equipped with a different puzzle at each table and no food to be had.

People also lined up to take turns figuring their way through the electronic walking maze. The objective, begin at the start and make it to the finish without making any left hand turns. If you attempt this be careful because you may end up walking in a circle once or twice before drawing the proper conclusion. There was also a giant Tessellation Station, where mathematicians both young and old spent time placing colorful magnetic tessellations on a white board.

There were many other stations to see too with plenty of hands on experience. The only notable downsides were that the some of the exhibits were not complete and or were already in need of repair. Additionally, the people at Mo Math should look into having more of the actual math explained for learners. There is a lot of engagement but little explanation of what is being applied or how the operations of each station are using math.

All in all though it seemed like a worthy destination for an out of class excursion with regards to Math. The Museum of Mathematics offers a lot of fun and innovative displays. Additionally, Madison Square Park sits across the street and serves as a great place for students to eat lunch. Plus there are other nearby Math considerations easily visible from the park, such as the Empire State Building and the Flatiron Building.