Chicago, Illinois, Sep 24, 2015
WHAT: A VIP preview and ribbon cutting ceremony will kick-off the 2015 Math Fair, a free, one-day “pop-up” math museum coming to Chicago via MIND Research Institute in partnership with LEAP Innovations. Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner and Secretary of Education Beth Purvis will be on hand to speak on the importance of math education for the state’s children as they officially open the Math Fair, for which Mayor Rahm Emanuel is serving as honorary chair.
“The jobs of the 21st century require numeracy skills more than at any time in history. We need Illinois children to get excited and interested in math and science,” said Secretary Purvis. “The Math Fair will help students recognize the “magic” in math and hopefully begin an interest in learning how to apply math skills in fun and interesting ways.” (Read more.)
“The City of Chicago is committed to providing our children with access to opportunities that will allow them to become lifelong learners, both inside and outside of the classroom,” said Mayor Emanuel. “The Math Fair will give thousands of children and their families across the city the chance to access fun activities that will keep our students engaged while they foster 21st century learning skills.”
“We are thrilled to bring this innovative and inspiring event to Chicago to engage children and families in math,” said Phyllis Lockett, CEO of LEAP Innovations. “This fall, LEAP will pilot math innovations in schools across Chicago, reaching more than 1,200 students. We’re committed to making sure all students have access to the 21st century skills they need, and math is fundamental.”
The preview will feature the unveiling of the touring fair’s newest exhibit, South of the Sahara, which celebrates the mathematical developments of early African civilizations. The exhibit invites visitors to explore logarithmic weaving, fractal geometry and ancient uses of binary numbers while discovering how math permeated the Sub-Saharan cultures through arts, games, home design and weaving.
The Math Fair’s presenting sponsor, CME Group Foundation, is joined by sponsors IMC Financial Markets and the Chicago Sun-Times.
WHEN: Saturday, September 26, 2015
Math Fair VIP Preview: 9 a.m.
Ribbon cutting & remarks: 9:40 a.m.
Math Fair open to the public: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
WHERE: Navy Pier, Exhibit Hall B. | Media RSVP to cbyrd@mindresearch.net for press credentials.
WHO: Confirmed speakers include:
• Bruce Rauner, Illinois Governor
• Beth Purvis, Illinois Secretary of Education
• Phyllis Lockett, CEO of LEAP Innovations
• Matthew Peterson, Ph.D., co-founder and CEO of MIND Research Institute
About Leap Innovations
LEAP Innovations is a Chicago-based nonprofit that bridges the gap between education and innovation for teachers and students from pre-K through college. LEAP helps educators develop and implement personalized learning environments enabled by technology to tailor instruction to each student’s skills, interests and goals. Headquartered at 1871, Chicago’s incubator for digital startups, LEAP also helps companies address unmet needs in education. For more information, please visit www.leapinnovations.org.
MIND Research Institute
MIND Research Institute is a neuroscience and education social benefit organization, dedicated to ensuring that all students are mathematically equipped to solve the world’s most challenging problems. MIND's distinctive visual approach to math and problem-solving is the basis of its innovative, research-proven ST Math® programs for elementary and secondary schools. The visually-based ST Math program has been shown to double or triple schools’ growth rates in math proficiency. MIND's programs currently reach 800,000 students and 31,000 teachers in 2,500 schools in 40 states. For more information, visit www.mindresearch.org.
Media contact:
Christine Byrd
MIND Research Institute
949-345-8636
cbyrd@mindresearch.org
Sam Schoenauer
LEAP Innovations
312-321-9544
Sam.Schoenauer@zenogroup.com
Download our corporate backgrounder here.
