Math Expansion: A hands-on, minds-on approach to integers

6 differentiated math games designed to expand scholars' conceptual knowledge through play!

Good afternoon. My name is Ingrid. I’m a dedicated, innovative, highly-effective teacher in the city of Detroit with 15 years of experience in education. Some people say that I teach students math. In reality, I empower my scholars to fulfill their wildest dreams.

But, it’s no secret that the state of education in Detroit is struggling. According to the National Assessment of Educational Progress, Detroit is consistently rated last in math and reading. Students tend to really fall behind at the algebra level where abstract concepts are introduced. This trend is consistent across the nation.

That’s why I created Math Expansion, which is a line of 6 math card games designed to teach scholars integer addition and subtraction. Integer addition and subtraction are fundamental to success in algebra and higher level mathematics because integers are the first abstract mathematical concept scholars encounter.

Math Expansion works because it’s a student-centered, hands-on, minds-on approach to learning math. The hallmark of Math Expansion is the use of integer counters to represent positive and negative numbers. The card levels are differentiated from novice to expert. So instead of teachers saying “blah blah blah” and all day and scholars hearing “whomp whomp whomp”, they’re having fun and learning math in the process.

Math Expansion works because it's differentiated, meaning it has different levels. Some scholars come into a classroom not knowing what an integer is, meaning they need support from the teacher using integer addition and subtraction level 1 decks. Some scholars are familiar with integer operations and can practice independently using integer addition and subtraction level 2 decks. Some scholars are mathematical masters who are ready for a challenge using integer addition and subtraction level 3 decks. This enables teachers to create a student-centered learning experience that caters to the needs of all scholars. 

Math Expansion is currently self-funded. At today’s Solveathon, we’re asking for help with three critical barriers to success.

• How do we get Math Expansion on the radar? We want Math Expansion to be in every math classroom in the nation. We need to increase our exposure through mailings, informational meetings, high quality videos for YouTube and our website, and fun events where scholars play Math Expansion games.
• How might we prove the effectiveness of Math Expansion? We would like to hold Math Expansion clinics where we use statistical analysis to demonstrate Math Expansion’s success in comparison to traditional methods.
• How could we create a digital platform for Math Expansion? You know how gamers play Poker with players across the world through the internet? We want to create a similar platform, but for Math Expansion.

In closing, once Math Expansion has exposure, a proven track record of results, and a digital platform, Math Expansion will transform the landscape of math education for scholars.

Thank you. 

Math Expansion is innovative because there are currently no products on the market that use a hands-on, minds-on approach to integer operations in a differentiated package ready for teachers to use immediately. 

Math Expansion would like to create a digital platform that will enable scholars to play online, such as the Microsoft Solitaire Suite or online Poker competitions.

• Citywide Math Expansion elimination style competition
• Online platform 

• Math Expansion to be as popular as Smart Boards in classrooms across the nation. 
• Nationwide Math Expansion elimination style competition 

Currently Math Expansion is sold through its website and at Detroit Teachers' Store (also managed by Ingrid Macon). We reach customers through Facebook posts and educational fairs in the Metro Detroit area. We hope to create more games that attract the curiosities of students. 

To date we have sold approximately 96 Math Expansion decks. I also use Math Expansion in my classroom to teach integer addition and subtraction. My scholars LOVE Math Expansion and ask to play with it and they're learning in the process. 

With in this year the goal is to sell 30 Math Expansion decks a month, which equates to 360 decks a year. With the upcoming First Annual Math Expansion competition, that will increase excitement surrounding Math Expansion and the attached learning goals.

The greatest asset to Math Expansion is Ingrid Macon's experience as a highly-effective math teacher in the city of Detroit. Her insight into the needs to scholars is invaluable to Math Expansion's success. 

Our revenue model is direct sales and e-commerce. 

We are positioned for long-term sustainability and profitability because scholars will never need to stop learning and they will always want to have fun while learning. Friendly-competition while learning is a plus as well. 

While Math Expansion excels in pedagogical excellence, Solve can advance the work of Math Expansion by lending access to a school of technology that can help usher Math Expansion into the 21st Century with an online platform. 

The key barriers are limited capital for advertising, launching the First Annual Math Expansion Competition, and building an online platform.