Worthy Cause: Science Naturally and Mathical’s Impact at NCTE-NCTM Joint Conference

In June 2024, educators gathered in New Orleans for the NCTE-NCTM Joint Conference, a lively event dedicated to advancing K-5 literacy and math education. Amid the energetic activities, Science Naturally's educational titles, including Women in Engineering by Mary Wissinger and Leonardo da Vinci Gets A Do-Over  by Mark P. Friedlander, Jr., shone brightly.

At the conference, Mathical—a program of the Simons Laufer Mathematical Sciences Institute—distributed these captivating books to inspire and engage attendees. Known for sparking curiosity in fields such as chemical engineering and astronomy, these books were selected to resonate with educators aiming to enrich their STEM curricula.

What sets these titles apart, leading to their being wanted for this event, is their ability to intertwine math with a variety of universal interests—history, biographies, and time travel—all wrapped in whimsical and informative narratives! They demonstrate how math is a part of every aspect of life, making it more approachable and relevant for both students and teachers.

Mathical's distribution of these resources aimed to encourage educators to creatively integrate math with language arts. By inspiring math teachers to incorporate language arts elements into their lessons, and motivating language arts teachers to explore mathematical concepts, the initiative fostered an interdisciplinary approach that bridges the subjects in exciting ways.

Photo courtesy of NCTE-NCTM showing two Mathical Team Members at their booth

Another goal achieved by this conference was seizing a pivotal moment for Title I schools, which play a crucial role in helping students achieve their full academic potential, regardless of their family’s income. At the event's conclusion, Mathical made a special effort to support these schools by donating surplus educational books. Packages containing 10 to 50 books per school were enthusiastically received by Title I teachers, who couldn’t have been happier with the additional resources.

Photo courtesy of NCTE-NCTM showing teacher's picking up their books

Though Science Naturally was not physically present at the conference, our partnership with Mathical was instrumental in providing 1,500 copies of these educational titles for distribution. This collaboration extended beyond the event, enriching classroom resources and expanding educational opportunities for students in underserved communities.

This initiative furthered our commitment at Science Naturally to transforming education through innovative resources. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with Mathical with any and all plans to introduce new educational titles that empower educators and inspire young learners!

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Explore more about Science Naturally's educational offerings and commitment to enhancing STEM curiosity and accessibility on their website.

Learn more about Mathical’s Book Prize, Read-a-Thon, book distribution efforts, and access their free resources at Mathicalbooks.org. Or, contact Mathical at Mathical@slmath.org.