Lowering barriers for mathematics

Abstract

Science centers are known for presenting science related subjects in an engaging way. Visitors have the opportunity to familiarize themselves with ideas and concepts in science through interactive installations. Mathematics is a subject students have been shown to have a complicated relationship with [4]. A negative emotional response to learning math is not uncommon among teenagers. This may result in a certain threshold for visiting an exhibition focusing on mathematics in a science center. In this project, we have used a research through design approach to investigate how an introductory digital game can be designed to lower the threshold.

The project has a design thinking approach and utilizes a 5-step iterative process. The steps being, empathizing and understanding the context, defining user requirements, ideateing, prototyping and testing. The research was carried out at Mathrix, an interactive mathematics exhibition at Universeum, and led to the development of two digital games. The games aims to lower the visitors entry barrier towards the exhibition. Feedback from user tests indicates that visitors recognized elements from the games in Mathrix which helped facilitated the visit.

During the design process of both prototypes, a number of key considerations for designing an introductory interactive game for a mathematics exhibition were identified. These included considerations regarding connection between the game and exhibiton, incorporation of mathematics and different aspects of the nature of the game. The findings provides valuable insights regarding lowering entry barriers for mathematics exhibitons and the knowledge can be utilized for research on introductory games for a mathematics exhibiton.