The Springfield Museums is excited to announce the upcoming arrival of Math Alive! at the Springfield Science Museum. On view January 24-May 3, 2026, the exhibition brings to life all the different types of mathematics at work, whether in design, application or use, behind the things kids love most–sports, games, design, entertainment, space and robotics.
Math Alive! uses immersive and innovative technologies to create fun experiences that help visitors understand how math is used in countless ways. Highlights include a downhill race in which visitors ride snowboards and a photo stage on which visitors can capture their own image in a 360-degree action photo, in the style made famous in contemporary action movies.
“MathAlive! is designed to inspire, to spark the imagination, to reveal not only math at work, but the endless possibilities of math,” says Jenny Powers, Director of the Springfield Science Museum. “We hope this experience will help kids better understand the need for math and motivate them to consider future careers in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math.”
Six themed areas featuring a range of high-tech, mechanical, and multi-media interactive experiences provide challenges that use various types of mathematics as tools to help the visitor compete, design, build, optimize or just play, depending on the activity. Along the way, animated character guides known as the BotZ help visitors tackle the challenges, explaining the math involved, prompting and encouraging answers, and jumping in if visitors get stuck.
Visitors can take the controls to master-engineer various aspects of a modern city, jump into a ‘binary dance party,’ or program and control Curiosity, NASA’s Mars rover. 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.
At the exhibit’s opening celebration on Saturday, January 24, visitors can devise a brand-new sport and design protective athletic gear, build and test a snowboard on a mini “mountain,” and take part in Move Like Keith Haring, an art-and-science activity exploring two-dimensional movement through artwork inspired by the iconic pop artist and activist. All opening-day activities are free with museum admission.
MathAlive! is designed to appeal to visitors of all ages and levels of math ability, but particularly to kids in grades 3-8. The exhibit was organized in direct response to the larger need to improve math proficiency among students and inspire kids to explore and pursue STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) careers. For teachers, the exhibit serves as an entertaining and relevant exploration lab. Each interactive station presents different types and levels of math, so students at different grade levels will find the entire experience relevant and supportive to what they specifically are learning in the classroom.
“Our educators are excited to support and expand on the concepts in MathAlive! with specialized interactive opportunities this winter,” says Larissa Murray, Director of Education. “These fun and engaging experiences will showcase the integral role math plays in all aspects of life.”
Institutional collaborators for Math Alive! include NASA, the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, National Society of Professional Engineers, MATHCOUNTS and the Society of Women Engineers. The exhibition was made possible by Raytheon and produced by Evergreen Exhibitions; and is sponsored locally by bankESB and M&T Bank.
MassMutual is the season supporter of the Springfield Museums.