MIND Research Institute, a neuroscience and education social impact organization, created ST Math® based on 20 years of neuroscientific research. ST Math is a pre-K–8 visual instructional program that leverages the brain’s innate spatial-temporal reasoning ability to solve mathematical problems. ST Math’s unique, patented approach builds a deep conceptual understanding of math. It’s mastery-based and standards-aligned—strengthening learning opportunities and fostering skills through challenging puzzles, non-routine problem solving, and informative feedback.
ST Math and its beloved penguin mascot, JiJi, just went through a major update, available for the 2020-21 academic year. The new version of the program adds increased accountability and intrinsic motivation for students, more streamlined implementation for administrators, and more ways for teachers to integrate the program with core curriculum.
ST Math provides students with the problem-solving foundation for math success. After beginning visually, the program gradually introduces traditional symbols and language as students master mathematical concepts. By removing language as a barrier, as well as leveraging the way the brain learns, ST Math provides equitable access to conceptual learning. Students of all levels, experiences, and backgrounds—including gifted, EL, and special education—have experienced increases in achievement with ST Math.
Formats/platforms used:
OS: Windows, Mac, Chromebooks, iPad, Android tablets
Browser: Latest version of Google Chrome
Primary website’s URL:
Grade or age range:
Pre-K–8
Core or supplemental:
ST Math is a supplemental program for K-8 and a core program for pre-K. Professional learning is available.
Standards:
Common Core and all state math standards
Lesson time needed:
All students can master and complete the entire ST Math program, given sufficient time—our recommendation is 60 minutes per week for kindergarten and grade 1 classes, and 90 minutes per week for grades 2-8.
Pricing model:
ST Math is available on a site subscription model.
What makes ST Math unique?
ST Math is not just another math game. MIND Research Institute has delved deeply into the neuroscience behind making learning happen. ST Math doesn’t chase the latest edtech fads and buzzwords. Instead, the program represents over 20 years of leading-edge thinking on how to teach math in a way that connects with how children learn—through manipulating objects in space and time. When implemented with fidelity, ST Math has been proven to make a significant difference on standardized assessments.
Characteristics:
In ST Math, action is critical and mistakes are the perfect opportunity for learning. Animated informative feedback offers an intrinsically motivating learning experience that shows students the mathematical consequences of each answer. Students don’t just guess at multiple choices, or worse, get a question wrong and wonder why.
ST Math games include more than 35,000 puzzles with interactive representations of math topics that align to all state standards, with learning objectives that target key grade-level concepts and skills. ST Math is a flexible instructional tool that can fit easily into many different curriculum implementations. Whether in a computer lab, during designated classroom time, station-rotation, or at home, as long as students are using ST Math for 60-90 minutes per week, you will see gains in their math achievement.
Here's what users are saying:
"ST Math is an empowering tool. It empowers my students to problem-solve and set goals, and gives opportunities to take risks and get immediate feedback. It gives the kids a chance to explore mathematical concepts in a way that allows them to build their confidence and a solid conceptual understanding. It empowers me, as a classroom teacher, to give additional, differentiated, extended, and high quality support to my students. It enhances my lessons by providing a launch point for discussion. My students don’t have to overcome a language barrier to participate, it is accessible and developmentally appropriate. Jiji is like a family member in my classroom … I teach in a high-poverty, low-performing school. After just one year, our school was able to go from being an ‘F’ school to an ‘C’ school! We knew that critical thinking skills were missing for many students, so using ST Math was such a great fit for supporting our math goals as well as helping students develop their thinking skills. ST Math has most definitely been a big factor in our students growth. … Oh, and did I mention that it’s fun??"
--Sarah Wilson, teacher, South Kerns Elementary School
"We see ST Math as a continuum resource for all students, including struggling learners and high achievers who are not used to struggling, but who develop persistence that supports problem-solving when they face challenges in ST Math. The program helps us understand them better as learners. Not just in math, but overall."
--Mark Green, principal, Virginia Murray Elementary School
"Because of ST Math, students have a more solid foundation of what math looks like conceptually. It's that powerful combination of engagement, sustainability, and the fact that students are able to persevere—all the things we consider essential in our math students."
Laurel Rotter, K-5 mathematics specialist, Pinellas County Schools
