MathTalk began creating place-based learning experiences in the Port neighborhood of Cambridge, Massachusetts in the Fall of 2016. We began this effort by engaging families and a variety of community stakeholders in a co-design process led by Angie Uyham of the Community Design Lab. This process created opportunities for community members to be shared visionaries and decision makers in how space and resources are utilized in their neighborhood. This process culminated in a Hackathon @ MIT and led to the creation of six temporary installations that were installed throughout the neighborhood.

Over the next year MathTalk led over 100 neighborhood tours as well as conducted multiple interviews and observation sessions to learn more about the effectiveness of these place-based learning experiences in promoting conversation and positive math interactions. Building from what we have learned as well as a growing body of research, we have expanded our effort to transform public spaces like parks, libraries, health clinics, bus stops, grocery stores, laundromats and more into playful resources for early math learning.