On February 1, Sloan Museum of Discovery unveiled an exciting, hands-on experience designed to change the way visitors think about math. 2theXtreme-Math Alive! is an interactive exhibit featuring 32 activity stations where guests can explore the real-world applications of math through sports, music, fashion, photography, robotics and more.
The 5,000-square-foot exhibit, housed in the FUN Gallery exhibition hall, runs through May 11 and is ideal for kids ages 8 and up. The six themed stations – Outdoor Action, Build Your World, Future Style, Kickin’ It, Game Plan, and Robotics & Space – bring math concepts to life through immersive games and challenges.
Anne Mancour, Marketing Manager at Sloan Museum of Discovery & Longway Planetarium, shared insights on why this exhibit is a must-see.
Making Math Exciting
“This exhibition is designed to help answer the age-old question, ‘Will I ever use all the math they’re teaching us?’” Mancour explained. “Mathematics is the foundation of so many things we enjoy in life – sports, music, computer games, robotics and even nature.”
Visitors can create a song while exploring fractions in Mix It Up, design a skateboard using engineering principles in Ramp It Up, or learn about geometry through the Style Revolution 360-degree photo shoot. “All 20 cameras shoot at exactly the same time, then the images are sequenced to create a seamless animation,” Mancour said. “It’s a fun way to see math in action.”
“Mathematics is the foundation of so many things we enjoy in life – sports, music, computer games, robotics and even nature.”
Anne Mancour, Marketing Manager, Sloan Museum of Discovery & Longway Planetarium
Hands-On Learning for All Ages
Among the many interactive experiences, Mancour highlighted Supertall, a skyscraper design challenge. “Visitors create a virtual skyscraper and test its stability against earthquakes, wind and weight,” she said. “It’s exciting for kids to watch their designs come to life on screen.”
Some activities are already generating buzz. “Style Revolution is a hit because families get a keepsake – a 360-degree photo of themselves striking a pose,” Mancour shared. “And Boardercross, a live-action snowboard game, is a crowd favorite. It takes a lot of finesse to avoid a virtual wipe-out!”
Inspiring Future Careers
Beyond entertainment, 2theXtreme helps kids see the real-world value of math. “A study found that while 39 percent of middle schoolers believe math is important for their future, 28 percent couldn’t name an interesting career that uses it,” Mancour noted. “This exhibit bridges that gap by showing how math is used in game design, architecture and even nature studies.”
Ultimately, Mancour hopes 2theXtreme-Math Alive! leaves visitors inspired. “This exhibit sparks imagination and highlights the endless possibilities math offers,” she said. “Even if kids don’t realize it, they’re using math every day – whether they’re designing a skateboard or playing a video game.”
Produced by Evergreen Exhibitions in collaboration with NASA and leading STEM organizations, 2theXtreme is sponsored locally by the Nartel Family Foundation. Don’t miss the chance to experience math like never before – visit Sloan Museum of Discovery before May 11!
