ArchéoMath CRATES

OUR PROBLEM STATEMENT

During our research, we came across two seemingly distinct yet interconnected problems:

First, one of the most pressing issues in archaeology is a global lack of understanding of the field and of its importance. This decades-long problem has led to inconsistent and insufficient funding for projects, insufficient salaries for archaeologists, and fewer students choosing to study archaeology. 

Second, student performance in mathematics has steadily declined worldwide during the last two decades. Since 2003, Canada’s overall math scores have dropped by 35 points, the equivalent of losing almost two full years of learning! Germany, Iceland and the Netherlands saw even bigger drops in their math scores in the same timeframe. Teachers have expressed the need to find interesting and innovative approaches to inspire and maintain student interest in math.

Archeology is an interdisciplinary field, which means it draws on many different disciplines including Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. Both archaeology and mathematics use the scientific method, develop critical thinking and problem solving, and facilitate our understanding of the world around us. 

How can we use the excitement and adventure of archaeology to encourage greater participation and enthusiasm for mathematics in elementary school students? 

OUR SOLUTION STATEMENT

As in the idiom “feed two birds with one scone”, our solution solves two problems at once. It brings awareness to archaeology through schools, develops an understanding of the importance and value of archaeology, and helps students discover the wonders of past cultures and civilizations. It also brings excitement and adventure to the classroom, combats student absenteeism, fosters positive attitudes towards mathematics, engages students in their learning of mathematics, and encourages deeper understanding by relating mathematical concepts to different cultures and civilizations. 

Introducing ArchéoMath, a product line of grade-specific crates packed with innovative manipulatives and STEM technologies for up to 30 students at a time to engage in real-world archaeology-themed applications of mathematics.

Our ArchéoMath crates are tailored to the mathematics curriculum for Grades 1 to 8. Each crate contains several individually packaged math consolidation activities to reinforce traditional teaching in an exciting and interactive learning environment that nurtures communication, collaboration and a positive mindset, and develops an appreciation of mathematics AND archaeology.