Maths anxiety and a general dislike for the subject are common issues. Our vision is to create a future where everyone can engage with maths comfortably and without labels. Our camp helps young people shift from "maths is not for me" to "I can learn and enjoy maths" by emphasising flexible thinking, creativity, and understanding patterns over rote rules. Research studies show that students taking part in mindset mathematics summer camp improved their standardised mathematics test scores by an average of 1.3 years of schooling in two-week camps (Brazil), and 2.8 years of schooling in four-week camps (US).
The camp is informed by Dr. Sara Santos' 25+ years of experience in both formal and informal education, STEM entertainment, and research in neuroscience and education. It is based on the work of Stanford's Prof. Jo Boaler and the youcubed Mindset Mathematics Summer Camps.
Our camp is led by Dr. Sara Santos, a passionate advocate for mathematics education and aspirational futures for young people. Dr. Santos holds a PhD in Mathematics and has extensive experience in teaching at both school and university levels, leading enrichment programmes, founding Maths Busking, and coaching teachers in London. She has successfully helped students who struggled with traditional maths education to develop a mathematical mindset and become independent learners.
Our Camp Staff
A former BBC maths commentator, maths lecturer and teacher, Sara loves cinema, dancing, and wants to make everyone feel free and happy in maths. Sara delivers transformative approaches to unlock mathematical growth. Sara is bringing Mindset Mathematics to Portugal so every young person discovers the open minded and creative mathematician inside them.
Victoria, from Germany, is a psychology student with a keen interest in cognitive and educational psychology and a passion for creativity, arts, and working with youngsters.
In the mornings, participants will engage in fun maths activities that promote critical thinking, collaboration, number flexibility, creative problem-solving, and resilience. Afternoons will feature a variety of activities beyond maths all designed to foster personal growth and the skills listed above. Read on to meet some of the artists facilitating afternoon workshops.
The camp is a two-week intervention, the ten day attendance is recommended for full impact. Each week offers unique activities, designed with diversity of participants in mind. Research from Stanford's YouCubed team indicates that this duration maximises the development of a mathematical mindset.
Our Guest Artists
Margarida Melo Fernandes is the ceramicist/designer behind MARGARIDA FABRICA (2010). Margarida loves gatherings around the dinner table, plants, trees, and giving free rein to children's imagination.
Marina is a creator, performer, and dance teacher with a special interest in the physicality of movement as a catalyst for imagination, pleasure, and non-dichotomous thinking, fostering self-expression and connection.
André teaches digital storytelling, video prototyping, and UX/UI design at Loughborough University (England) and Hyper Island (Sweden). He also creates video documentaries and practices daily storytelling with his five-year-old daughter.