In the 2025 Global Collection, HundrED has identified six groundbreaking initiatives at the forefront of this transformation: Building Blocks (BB), Engidea, Goniter Jhuli, Mathematics Initiatives in Nepal (MIN), Resolute Education, Think-Out-of-The-Box. These initiatives are tackling the challenges of math anxiety, limited access, and the need for 21st-century skills, employing innovative strategies and making a significant impact on students and educators worldwide.
Gamification and Joyful Learning: Sparking a Love for Math
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Building Blocks' app is designed to be accessible across a variety of contexts
Several of these initiatives recognize the power of gamification and joyful learning to transform negative perceptions and foster a genuine love for math. One great example is Building Blocks (BB). This free app from India offers over 425 interactive math games for grades 1–8, specifically designed for children in low-income communities. Accessible on basic Android phones, even without internet access, BB is available in nine languages and has been integrated with India's national digital education platform, DIKSHA. The app's impact has been significant, with over 6 million plays and downloads via DIKSHA alone. Pushpa Thantry of the Akshara Foundation says their work has gamified almost the entire 1–8 curriculum, while the app's engaging visualizations help children understand mathematical concepts effectively.
Bridging the Digital Divide: Expanding Access to Quality Math Education
Reusable kits, such as Think-Out-of-The-Box, make STEM education more widely available
Recognizing that lack of access to technology can be a significant barrier to quality math education, several initiatives are leveraging technology to reach students in diverse contexts. Think-Out-of-The-Box, a $10 creative maker box from India, provides an affordable and accessible alternative to expensive programming tools. It runs on Android phones and uses a unique paper-based programming app, making computing education accessible to underprivileged communities. To help their innovative tools reach those who need them most, they employ several key strategies: partnerships with governmental educational bodies, teacher training, contextualising learning, and step-by-step assessment tools to improve problem-solving and creative thinking skills.
Empowering Educators: Equipping Teachers for Success
Recognizing that teachers are essential to effectively implementing innovative teaching methods, several initiatives focus on providing comprehensive teacher training and ongoing support. Among them is Engidea, a makerspace in Venezuela that offers programs for both children and adults, empowering them with tech-based knowledge and skills in areas like robotics, 3D printing, and video game development. They aim to bridge the gap between theory and practice, providing students with the tools and knowledge they need to bring their ideas to life. Crucial to their success is a focus on instilling a maker and STEAM culture within their home country—integrating technology into the learning process and inspiring students to explore their passions and develop real-world skills.
Their programs include Engilab for students 7 and up, which focuses on foundational STEAM education using play and interaction; EngiTeach for students over 18 who want professional-grade training in tools like 3D printers and CAD software; and Engi-Innova, a scholarship program for high school students to explore in-depth applications of their STEAM-related skills. Laura Pantaléon, Engidea's CEO, says that the scholarships have been effective in helping students thrive despite the critical situation that public education faces in Venezuela. "It is crucial for us to secure more resources to expand programs like Engi-Innova and offer quality education to young people," she shares.
Fostering 21st-Century Skills: Preparing Students for the Future
In a rapidly evolving world, it is crucial for students to develop 21st-century skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity. Huzaifa Khan of Resolute Education identifies five skills that students aren't adequately learning in traditional education: computational thinking, future-ready digital skills, innovation, digital collaboration, and entrepreneurial mindsets. They focus on equipping students with "future-ready digital competencies," including coding, robotics, and digital literacy.
Resolute Education's approach is holistic in breadth
Through reusable robotic kits (and a full suite of educational materials to support them), students can build, code, and test real-world solutions to problems they encounter in their lives. Teachers are also trained to support students' development of 21st-century skills through ongoing professional development and textbooks that provide strong theoretical foundations for the design-based lessons. Huzaifa shares feedback from educators in the KwaZulu-Natal province who had not previously worked with technology beyond basic computers: "It was overwhelmingly positive, with one teacher saying 'I never imagined I could teach coding. Now I feel like I can inspire my students to innovate.'"
Real-World Applications and Problem-Solving: Making Math Relevant
To make math more meaningful and engaging, it's essential to connect mathematical concepts to real-life situations. For example, Mathematics Initiatives in Nepal (MIN) utilizes diverse initiatives to enhance math education. Its campaigns target underprivileged students, offering free resources, workshops, and tutoring sessions. Its flagship programs, JMOC and Olymprep, offer intensive training for the competitive math Olympiad. Through programs like Women in Mathematics and Girls Mathematics Olympiad Camp, MIN empowers young girls in math. It also conducts talk shows and discussion sessions with industry leaders to share insights and knowledge, while the "eli5" YouTube series simplifies complex concepts for learners of all ages and backgrounds. MIN's approach includes making math engaging through game series like "Sunaulo Sanibar." All these initiatives make the often difficult task of engaging with complex math more approachable for students of all backgrounds throughout Nepal.
"I never imagined I could teach coding. Now I feel like I can inspire my students to innovate."
Goniter Jhuli—or "Sack of Math"—is a series of gamified math learning kits developed by the Bangladeshi organization Banglar Math. By combining storytelling, puzzles, and hands-on activities, they promote competency-based learning and make math concepts more engaging and accessible. Activities that incorporate games and puzzles from daily life help students bridge the gap between theoretical concepts and their practical applications. Ultimately, Banglar has found that these kits have helped students in grades 3 to 8 learn math with more joy and less fear.
Goniter Jhuli uses approachable and applicable kits to take the fear out of maths education
These six innovative initiatives highlight the global shift in math education toward a more engaging, accessible, and relevant approach. By:
- Prioritising joyful learning
- Leveraging technology
- Empowering educators
- Fostering essential 21st-century skills
These programs are equipping students with the tools and mindset to thrive in a rapidly evolving world.
Learn more about the 2025 Global Collection
