#United States #Philadelphia #Franklin Institute #math education #Simons Foundation

Franklin Institute and the Future of Math Education

The Franklin Institute, a premier science museum based in Philadelphia, is making substantial strides toward advancing math education through a new partnership with the Simons Foundation. Recently, the museum announced it has been awarded a grant of $480,970 from Simons Foundation International, aimed at enhancing math programming across four distinct science venues nationwide.

The grant's administration will fall under the Simons Foundation's Science, Society, Culture division, seeking to expand access to math learning in communities that benefit from innovative educational approaches. With funding allocated for the program named "Meaningful Math," the initiative stands as a testament to The Franklin Institute’s leadership in STEM education and its commitment to meaningful community involvement.

Dr. Darryl Williams, Senior Vice President of Science, Education, and HR at The Franklin Institute, expressed enthusiasm about this recognition, emphasizing its role in reinforcing the museum as a national leader in community engagement through innovative educational strategies. He stated, “This funding empowers us to expand our national impact through strategic partnerships and the development of inclusive, engaging math programs that make STEM education more accessible.” This initiative stands out as it leverages a co-creation model, focusing on collaboration with different community partners to foster effective learning outcomes.

Project Details and Collaboration

The Meaningful Math project will gather educators, math specialists, and community-based organizations in four selected locations to collaboratively develop math programs that cater to the unique needs and interests of each community. Although each participating museum will create tailored programs, they will all work towards the common goal of sparking curiosity and promoting advanced mathematical thinking. Alongside The Franklin Institute, the other participating institutions are the Arizona Science Center in Phoenix, North Dakota's Gateway to Science in Bismarck, and the Maine Discovery Museum in Bangor.

Throughout 2025, each museum will engage in a year-long co-creation process involving a local math expert and a community partner. This collaborative effort aims to establish cohesive, engaging math experiences for local residents, alongside creating resources to enhance educators' comfort and competence in facilitating these programs. Each museum will also be responsible for training three community organizations to utilize the co-created math resources effectively.

In Philadelphia, The Franklin Institute plans to work alongside Esperanza, an organization dedicated to community empowerment. Their joint efforts will yield a new math program crafted specifically to address the needs and interests of the North Philadelphia community.

As Nilsa R. Graciani, Chief STEM Officer at Esperanza, noted, “For more than 35 years, Esperanza has been empowering our community in North Philadelphia on a pathway out of poverty by offering education and programs that cultivate self-belief, grit, and knowledge acquisition.” Such insights underline how vital community engagement is for the success of educational initiatives.

The Broader Mission

The Simons Foundation's commitment to this project resonates with its broader mission—to ignite interest and foster meaningful connections with science and mathematics among the populace. Ivvet Modinou, Senior Vice President of the foundation, highlighted this philosophy, stating, “This partnership puts community at the heart of that engagement, allowing for the co-creation of joyful math experiences that are built to last.” This sentiment underscores the importance of creating lasting educational memories that can inspire future generations.

Conclusion

As The Franklin Institute embarks on this ambitious project, it signals a promising transformation in how math education can be approached. Through collaborative efforts, community engagement, and innovative programming, The Franklin Institute and the Simons Foundation are poised to make a significant impact on math education across the United States. Engaging communities in this manner ensures that education becomes not just accessible, but also vibrant, stirring curiosity and fostering a lifelong passion for learning.

For more details on this initiative and further developments, please visit The Franklin Institute's official website.