Imagine looking at a math problem and seeing the solution as a picture. Moreover, classrooms full of kids who are using a digital math program with the signature MIND Research Institute character, Jiji the penguin, to compute difficult algebraic equations.
Last year, the MIND Research Institute, a non-profit organization based in Orange County developed visual approaches to illustrating math concepts and building problem-solving skills as the basis for spatial-temporal approach to math education for elementary and secondary schools.
From this sprung various Math Initiative grants in underrepresented communities throughout the West Coast to help local educators and schools to narrow the achievement gap. Los Angeles soon followed suit and a community partnership with ECCLA in conjunction with other local entities was born. Schools are given a $45,000 grant which include their award winning instructional software program, development trainings with principals, software updates and MIND support staff that help with implementation throughout the year.
You can read more about ECCLA’s partnership with the LA Math Initiative on the MIND Research Institute’s website, or feel free to submit a question to the blog and we’d be happy to read it and pass it on!