About Math Snacks
Effectiveness of Math Snacks
A 2013-14 study with 700 students in 48 classrooms demonstrated the effectiveness of Math Snacks games and activities when integrated into the existing curriculum. Sixth grade students showed significant gains in their understanding of key concepts when their teachers used the games for 8-12 days over a five-week period, as compared to students whose teachers used only the district curriculum. Students who used the Math Snacks games increased their understanding of the relevant math concepts, and retained that knowledge even after the use of the program. All of the teachers in the study stated they would recommend the Math Snacks lessons to other teachers, and over 90% of them plan on using them again. Students who used the Math Snacks lessons enjoyed the multimedia tools and the bonus activities, and a large percentage of these students used the games at home and showed them to others. Read more about the research behind Math Snacks.
- Press release from New Mexico State University Research shows NMSU’s Math Snacks games improve student learning
Available free in English and Spanish
All Math Snacks games, animations and teaching resources are available FREE at mathsnacks.org. Paid apps are available at a discount to educators. The website includes extensive teacher support materials such as teacher guides, how-to videos, and gameplay walkthroughs.
All student resources (games, animations, learner guides and transcripts) are available in both English and Spanish.
Created With and for Teachers and Students
Before creating Math Snacks, experts at New Mexico State University identified crucial gaps in the knowledge of sixth grade students by first reviewing scores on standardized exams, and then identifying why students got these questions wrong. In doing this analysis, they defined crucial areas for math learning for all students, as well as the mathematics content areas for which teachers requested support materials.
Teachers and students played an important role in the development of Math Snacks tools. During development of the games and animations, kids participated in hundreds of user testing sessions at NMSU's Learning Games Lab. Students reviewed characters, level designs, scripts, graphics and gameplay at several stages of development to make sure the tools were enjoyable and effective. In innovative "Math Snacks Camps", teachers and students worked together to create companion activities for each Math Snacks. Even before they conducted research on the effectiveness of the Math Snacks tools, the design team knew each animation and game was appealing, easy to use, and enjoyable for teachers and students.
Photos of Math Snacks in Use
Screenshots of Math Snacks Animations and Games
Atlantean Dodgeball
Number Rights
Ratey the Math Cat
Curse Reverse
Creature Cavern
Game Over Gopher
Monster School Bus
Ratio Rumble
Video Clips for Stories
Contact Us for permission to use these videos in broadcast.
Quotes about Math Snacks
Hands-On Activities
Class Discussion
Kids Playing Math Snacks Games
Kids Reacting to Math Snacks Animations
Animation Excerpts
Logos
Math Snacks Logo
Do not alter the Math Snacks logo. Use it only in association with Math Snacks products.
Contact Us
Please direct questions about development, the website, or any of the games, animations, apps and tools to Barbara Chamberlin:
Dr. Barbara Chamberlin
Co-PI and Director of Math Snacks development
Professor, NMSU Learning Games Lab
New Mexico State University, 3AI
575-646-2848
bchamber@nmsu.edu