Schools & Educators
Overview
MathSTEM Foundation is a nonprofit organization providing virtual and in‑person math enrichment for K–6 learners across Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Northern Virginia. Our programs deliver math lessons through storytelling, presentation, and hands‑on demonstration, led by college students and STEM professional volunteers. Students connect with the material because they see leaders who reflect their communities, experiences, and identities.
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Our teaching philosophy is rooted in the understanding that the first five years of a child’s life and the early educational years that follow are critical for shaping how they learn. Children first absorb knowledge from their home, peers, and environment, and MathSTEM designs its experiences around these developmental principles to ensure math feels natural, relatable, and culturally grounded.
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We offer flexible onsite experiences in school auditoriums for large group engagement or directly in classrooms for smaller, interactive sessions, providing enrichment that supports teachers and strengthens foundational math skills.
MathSTEM Teaching Model
MathSTEM’s teaching approach is grounded in early childhood development and community‑based learning. We recognize that children first learn from their home, peers, and environment, and we design our math experiences around these principles.
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Our methods combine storytelling, presentation, and hands‑on demonstration to make math relatable and engaging. Each session is led by college students and STEM professional volunteers who reflect the communities we serve, helping students see themselves in STEM and connect naturally with the material.
MathSTEM: Crypt & Cypher
Cryptography comes from two Greek words:
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kryptos — hidden
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graphien — to write
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Originally, cryptography was not about computers. It was about hiding meaning so only the intended person could understand it. Ancient civilizations used simple symbol changes, rearranged letters, or physical tools to conceal information.
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Early Examples
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Egypt: Non‑standard hieroglyphs carved into tombs to create mystery.
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Mesopotamia: Clay tablets hiding recipes using symbol substitution.
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Sparta: The scytale, a leather strip wrapped around a rod to scramble messages.
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These early systems weren’t just secrecy they were about protecting value, controlling access, and making meaning discoverable only through decoding.
Our Instructional Method: Crypt & Cypher
MathSTEM’s teaching model is built on a two‑part framework called Crypt & Cypher. This method helps students understand math through storytelling, decoding, and discovery mirroring how children naturally learn from their environment, peers, and lived experiences.
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Crypt — The Vault of Knowledge
Crypt represents the lesson container: the story, scenario, or real‑world context where the math concept is hidden. It is the environment students enter like a vault, magazine, or narrative space where the math idea lives.
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Cypher — The Key to Understanding
Cypher represents the decoding process: the activity, challenge, or demonstration students use to unlock the math concept. It is the tool students use to reveal patterns, make meaning, and connect the story to the math skill.
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Why This Method Works
Crypt & Cypher aligns with current research showing that students learn differently than previous generations, with learning shaped by technology, environment, and cultural context. This method supports diverse learning styles visual, auditory, hands‑on, and community‑connected—by giving students both a narrative anchor (Crypt) and an active decoding experience (Cypher).
How We Partner With Schools
MathSTEM partners with schools through simple, flexible engagement options designed to meet students and families where they are. Schools can request classroom support, small group sessions, or onsite experiences in the auditorium.
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Partnerships begin with a brief intake and completion of our School Partnership Form, which outlines your goals, preferred delivery format, and student needs. Schools may also send home our Parent Referral Form, allowing families to directly enroll their child in MathSTEM services. Parents can schedule appointments for one‑on‑one or small group support, ensuring students receive targeted help outside of classroom time.
What We Offer
MathSTEM provides flexible math enrichment services for K–6 learners through one‑on‑one support, small group sessions, and e‑learning options. As a mobile organization, we meet schools and communities where they are offering in‑person auditorium presentations, classroom experiences, and virtual programming that fits any schedule or learning environment.
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We serve rural and underserved areas across Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Northern Virginia, ensuring students have access to early math support that strengthens future STEM pathways. FARMs‑eligible students receive free or reduced‑cost access, and tuition options are available for private schools or non‑FARMs contexts.
All sessions are delivered by trained college students and STEM professional volunteers, giving schools high‑quality enrichment without adding to teacher workload.
Outcomes & Benefits
MathSTEM is currently in its startup beta phase, giving schools early access to a new, research‑aligned method of teaching math. Participation during this phase allows schools and families to help shape an innovative model designed for today’s learners.
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Current research shows that students learn differently than previous generations, with each generation demonstrating distinct learning characteristics shaped by technology, environment, and cultural context. Additional studies highlight growing pedagogical differences between Millennials and Generation Z, especially in digital learning environments, reinforcing the need for adaptive and inclusive teaching methods.
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MathSTEM’s approach supports visual, auditory, hands‑on, and community‑connected learners, helping students build confidence, strengthen foundational skills, and see themselves in future STEM pathways. Students also benefit from increased communication skills, improved speaking confidence, and opportunities to practice leadership through peer interaction, collaborative problem‑solving, and guided demonstrations.
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As students decode math concepts through the Crypt & Cypher Learning Model, they develop stronger self‑expression, better academic resilience, and a clearer sense of identity within STEM. These outcomes help students build the confidence and readiness needed for future STEM coursework, enrichment programs, and long‑term career pathways.
Access & Tuition (FARMs)
MathSTEM is a mobile organization committed to equitable access for all students. We meet families and schools where they are providing in‑person, mobile, and online virtual math support across urban, suburban, and rural communities.
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Students who qualify for Free and Reduced Meals (FARMs) receive free or reduced‑cost access to MathSTEM services, including one‑on‑one support, group sessions, and e‑learning. Schools may provide families with a letter of proof confirming FARMs eligibility, which allows students to receive services at no cost or at a reduced rate.
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To streamline access, schools complete our School Partnership Form, and families may enroll through our Parent Referral Form. Tuition options are available for private schools and non‑FARMs contexts, ensuring affordability while supporting program sustainability.
Program Links & Enrollment Access
MathSTEM provides clear, streamlined access points for schools and families:
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School Partnership Form
For principals and educators to request MathSTEM services, outline school needs, and initiate partnership setup.
Parent Referral Form
For families to enroll their child directly, including FARMs verification and preferred support format.
Program Information Page
A detailed overview of MathSTEM’s offerings, learning model, mobile services, and virtual support options.
Contact Us
For questions, scheduling, or additional partnership guidance, schools and families may reach out directly for support.
