MathHappens Foundation was delighted to participate in SXSW EDU 2025 right here in our headquarter city of Austin, TX. The conference provided a stimulating environment for exchanging ideas and fostering valuable connections.
We participated this year as an exhibitor, and used the opportunity to recreate a Math Room! Throughout the education conference, our exhibit in the Expo Hall was a vibrant hub of mathematical exploration, and we were delighted to share our passion for hands-on, engaging math with educators, administrators, innovators, and enthusiasts from around the world. See our full setup in this video. Our interns Garrett Smith, Dominic Gonzalez, Naila Hajiyeva, and Daniel Resendiz helped run the booth, engage in conversation, and facilitate our activities throughout the expo!
We proudly showcased our Math Room concept, demonstrating our work with partners and the collaborative spirit that drives MathHappens. It’s through these partnerships that we’re able to expand our reach and impact, bringing meaningful math experiences to diverse communities. Our map of MathHappens Math Rooms across the US sparked curiosity and conversation. We’re proud of the growing network of spaces dedicated to fostering mathematical exploration, and it was wonderful to share our vision for expanding access to hands-on math experiences. Please feel free to reach out to our Director of Operations, Jordan Varat, if you have any ideas of potential Math Room locations or partner hosts.
Our bubble tiles were also a big hit! Attendees enjoyed the tactile experience of manipulating these unique tiles that we developed based on Japanese artist Hokusai’s sketch. It was a joy to see so many people engaged and learning through play, discovering the underlying geometric principles and spatial reasoning the tiles embody.
Additionally, our quilting giveaway was a delightful way to explore mathematical concepts in a creative and accessible way. We showcased the beauty of patterns, symmetry, scaling, and other mathematical principles woven into the art of quilting. Attendees were eager to learn about the math behind the craft, and we loved sharing our quilting giveaway with those who stopped by our booth!
Beyond the Booth: Learning and Connecting
SXSW EDU wasn’t just about the expo floor. I had the opportunity to attend insightful sessions and connect with fellow educators and innovators, enriching my understanding of the evolving landscape of education.
Speaker Highlights: I found the speakers at SXSW EDU to be both engaging and thought provoking. I was particularly inspired by conversations around tactile engagement methods in mathematics, transforming public playspaces as an educational tool, navigating education policy, and breaking down barriers for women in STEM.
The meetups and roundtables also provided valuable opportunities for deeper discussions and networking. I particularly enjoyed the Maker Educator Meetup which focused on Agency by Design, and the Social Entrepreneur mixer, which encouraged discussion around practicing proximity. I was also able to attend the screening and Q&A for Counted Out. This is the 2nd time I’ve seen this film, and I feel that it captures the stories of the people followed in the film, and communicates the concept of math literacy as a human right through these stories well. This film raises awareness and brings forth conversation around how our structure for mathematics education is not working, and highlights other methods (such as math play and tactile learning methods) that we know work.
One of the best parts of SXSW EDU was the opportunity to connect with educators from all over the world. Hearing their stories, learning about their challenges, and sharing our resources was incredibly rewarding. Our experience at SXSW EDU 2025 has energized us and reinforced our commitment to making math accessible and engaging for everyone. We’re excited to build on the connections we made and continue to expand our impact.
We want to thank everyone who stopped by our booth, engaged in conversations, and shared their passion for math. We look forward to seeing you at future events!
