About The Exhibit
[Content and interactives may vary by venue.]
One of the most interactive and inspiring exhibitions exploring the world of mathematics ever to tour.
MathAlive! is designed to inspire, to spark the imagination, to reveal not only math at work, but the endless possibilities of math. Designed for families and students the exhibition brings to life the real math behind what kids love most – video games, sports, design, space, robotics, and more – and creates interactive and immersive experiences that bring to life the math at work in each, whether in design, application or use.
In this 5,000 square foot exhibition, you’ll ride a snowboard in a 3D experience, program the robotic arm from the cupola of the International Space Station, design (and play) your own video game, capture your 360-degree image in a unique interactive, even design a custom skateboard for “pop” – the quick, snapping motion that allows a board to do the best tricks. Through a wide range of unique, interactive experiences, the exhibit takes math from its native form into the applied worlds of design, engineering, technology and science. You’ll explore and operate simulations of NASA’s latest robotics, including the Robonaut 2 and the Curiosity Mars Rover. You’ll test your engineering and city-planning skills, designing a skyscraper and taking on different engineering roles as they design a more sustainable infrastructure for a city.
The exhibition is designed to answer the question: “Will I ever use all this math they’re teaching us?”
Visitors are accompanied by fun and quirky virtual guides and along the way you’ll meet and hear professionals, visionaries and inspiring personalities talk about math in their work across fields kids are most interested in exploring.
- Includes historical achievements by noted figures from the region
- Allows visitors to explore math at work today in innovative applications in the region–as well as hearing from those shaping the future
- Provides interactive exhibits that allow visitors to experience math within the cultural backdrop of Arab-centric imagery, landmarks, customs, culture and language
- Highlights Middle Eastern traditions and accomplishments, spotlighting a range of milestone historical links to the evolution of math
- Features authorities from a range of fields in and from countries across the Middle East
- Presented in dual language, with text and graphics displayed in Arabic and English.
The exhibition also provides content specifically relating to the interests of Middle Eastern audiences.
- Outdoor Action… Adventure Sports
- Build Your World… Environment
- Future Style… Style and Design
- Kickin’ It… Entertainment
- Game Plan… Video Games and Other Games
- Robotics and Space
Thematic Areas:
- Azza Faiad, Biofuel Researcher
- Mahmoud Shattel, Alternative Energy Pioneer
- Zaha Hadid, Architect
- Dr. Naif Al-Mutawa, Comic Book and Television Series Creator
- Nzinga Knight, Fashion Designer
- Ayah Bdeir, Interactive Artist and Engineer
- Hind Hobeika, Swimmer and Inventor
- Farouk El-Baz, Astronomer
- Eric “Tuma” Britton, professional skater/instructor
- Brooks, co-owner and technical director, True Skateboards
- Rondi Davies, geologist and champion marathon swimmer
- Tanya Martinez, electrical engineer
- Christine Outram, director, City Innovation, research associate, MIT
- Neri Oxman, architect and designer, MIT Media Lab
- Theo Jansen, artist and designer
- Daniel Ferguson, IMAX film director and screenwriter
- Ajay Kapur, musician and computer scientist
- Robin Hunicke, game developer
- Michael Mateas, game developer
- Robin Murphy, robotics engineer
- Kathryn Gray, student and supernova searcher
- Robonaut 2
Real World Math… Featured Personalities, such as
- National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
- NASA
- National Society of Professional Engineers
- MATHCOUNTS
- Society of Women Engineers
Developed in Collaboration with:
