New museum exhibit helps teach kids math fundamentals

What better way to learn math than by crawling through a giant kaleidoscope?

That's the idea at the DuPage Children's Museum's new Math Connections exhibit, which opens Monday in Naperville.

The exhibit explores fun and inventive ways to teach kids the foundations of mathematics, organizers say.

It will replace the previous math exhibit, which had been in place since 2001, when the museum opened at 301 N. Washington St.

"We evaluated the exhibit that was already standing there," said Cynthia Mark-Hummel, director of exhibits and programs at the museum. "We've kept the components that were working well and were accomplishing the educational goals, but we refreshed their look."

The museum has added new subject matter as well, expanding the exhibit based on community feedback and research into learning methods for kids.

The math team also consulted Illinois and national learning standards, as well as the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics.

"We always want to incorporate the best, latest research and thinking on how children understand math, because it makes our exhibits better," Mark-Hummel said.

Math Connections will focus more specifically on actual numbers than the previous exhibit, called No Numbers Math, did.

Directors have incorporated areas that focus on geometry, measurement, balance and estimation.

"This explores math at a very basic level," Mark-Hummel said. "Kids can build their knowledge for themselves from primary experiences."

These experiences will include a crawl-through kaleidoscope, which teaches kids about geometry and repeating patterns.

A large bean balance will provide a fun way for kids to understand the word "equal," which is a fundamental part of algebra.

And, as always, the exhibit will use blocks of all shapes and sizes, which teach kids about spatial relationships and estimation.

"We provide the kind of experience that will allow them to get to those conceptions with real understanding, not just memorization," Mark-Hummel said. "We selected ideas we felt would be the most interesting for children."

Mark-Hummel said the exhibit provides a fun way for parents to ensure their kids are exposed to math education at an early age, preparing them to perform well in school.

She promoted the importance of math comprehension in everyday life as well.

"Math is everywhere, and we use it in various forms," Mark-Hummel said. "It's only one way of understanding the world, but it's an important one, especially in our world that is going more toward complicated technologies."

Math Connections is free for museum members and free with general admission.

The exhibit was designed to target kids ages 3 to 7. A Young Explorers math area offers education directed at infants and toddlers.

If you go

What: New Math Connections exhibit at DuPage Children's Museum.

When: Opens Monday

Where: 301 N. Washington St., Naperville.

Cost: Free for members and free with $7.50 general admission cost. Admission for seniors 60 and older is $6.50.

Info: dupagechildrensmuseum.org/GeneralInfo or (630) 637-8000.