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Summer is here, and whether you’re packing for a trip or just enjoying a slower pace, we’ve got stories worth exploring! This month’s newsletter features: 

• young problem-solvers in Ecuador’s Amazon region
• a new Global Math Story about Nigeria's kola nut traditions
• teachers preparing for cultural collaboration

Wherever summer takes you, we hope these updates bring fresh insights your way!

STEM Club Spotlight

In May we took you to Ecuador to showcase what can happen when one woman gains the tools to thrive in STEM. For this month’s newsletter, we’re turning to the Amazon community of Piankas, where our Girls STEM Club is equipping 30 students with hands-on experiences in math and science.

These girls in grades four through seven met under the guidance of six local teachers from four partner schools. Opening and closing gatherings welcomed families and showed that learning belongs to the whole community.

When the club wrapped up, the teachers rated the experience 9.7 out of 10 for meeting their expectations. Follow-up surveys also show that both teachers and students report higher enjoyment, usefulness, and confidence in math, with all averages above three on a five-point scale.

One sixth-grader captured the spirit: “I couldn’t solve it the first time, but I tried again and did it by myself. I felt so happy.” Her teachers-leaders will carry new strategies back to their classrooms, multiplying the impact.

To learn how your support enables our programs to spark even more change, check out our annual report in English or Spanish.

Math and Meaning

Crack open a brand new Global Math Story! Travel to Nigeria and explore the significance of kola nuts. From ceremonial sharing to farming practices, this story reveals how real-world math is rooted in tradition, community, and the land.

Whether you're an educator or simply curious about how culture and numbers connect, this is a meaningful read you won’t want to miss!

Teachers Go Global

This summer, two groups of US teachers will travel to Guatemala for a unique professional development experience focused on collaboration and classroom impact.

In July, 22 educators will participate across two Teacher Trips—one in Santiago Atitlán in partnership with La Puerta Abierta, and another in Antigua with a new partner school, La Salle. While the trips will take place in different areas, both will be grounded in a shared cultural exchange.

These experiences are designed to be transformative. They help teachers grow professionally, develop global perspectives, and form lasting cross-cultural relationships. 

As Marisa Laks, a New York City educator, shared: “It gave me a greater understanding about my students and where they may be coming from. Since my time in Guatemala, I have been focusing a lot more on equity in education.”

After the trips participants will have the option of staying connected through Mathkind’s network, continuing to exchange ideas and resources that support their practice. Together, these educators are shaping a more connected, collaborative future for math education.

Stay Connected!