Why it matters
Consider these facts...
- Math performance locally starts dropping off as early as fourth grade.
- By high school, only 36% of our students are on grade level in math.
- Fewer than 25% of college students taking remedial (math or English) coursework go on to declare a major and graduate.
- Research shows that confidence and a positive attitude toward math can impact students' math skills and whether they opt into higher level math classes as they continue their education.
- Choosing higher level math classes sets students up for the high-paying STEM careers that Idaho has in high demand:
- Thousands of STEM jobs were unfilled in Idaho last year
- 16 of the 20 fastest growing careers in Idaho require STEM skills
- Idaho’s STEM jobs pay double the median wage
- 92% of Idaho parents believe that their school should invest more in STEM education
Our Approach
- We work with principals to gain investment in the program.
- We train teachers to lead the programs and Math is Cool teams.
- We recruit and train high school and middle school student leaders to assist in coaching the Math is Cool team.
- We fund the program.
*Ramsey, Hayden Meadows, Borah and Skyway have independent Math is Cool teams
Our funding
The overwhelming majority of the funds go to pay stipends for public school teachers to run these programs. Limited funds go to team competition fees, busses to competition, supplies for programs, and very limited operational expenses.
Our biggest funders:
- Idaho Future Fund of the Idaho Community Foundation
- Idaho STEM Action Center
- United Way of North Idaho
- Coeur d'Alene Tribe
- Mountain West Bank
- Idaho Central Credit Union
- bankcda
- Northwest Specialty Hospital
- Meltzer Medical Group
- Indigo LLC
- North Idaho Eye Institute
- Coeur Climbing Co
- Kootenai Electric
- STCU
- Inland Northwest Anesthesia and Pain
- Architects West
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stories about the program's impact
Mathletes
These Mathletes stories shared by the teachers overseeing these programs give an inspiring look at the difference Mathletes is making. Names have been changed to protect each student's privacy.