XQ Math
A project-based algebra curriculum that activates and upgrades students’ math knowledge—and their enthusiasm for learning.
XQ Math is a project-based math curriculum that:
- Uses youth-tested project frames to draw students into math, particularly those whom traditional mathematics instruction has failed to engage
- Motivates students to “activate” and “upgrade” their math knowledge to solve problems they care about through mathematical modeling
- Builds students’ confidence and mathematical agency, so that they begin to see themselves as mathematically powerful
Each XQ Math Project module engages students in rigorous, creative, and meaningful work– work that prepares them for advanced mathematics and defies the idea that math is boring.
We are seeking adventurous math educators to help us co-design this new curriculum, starting with Algebra I and Geometry.
What you will receive
Teachers who pilot XQ Math will receive:
• Access to project modules, complete with student directions, conceptual supports, teacher guides, and assessment rubric
• All supplies for any projects piloted
• Continuous support from the XQ Math team
• Continuing education credits as available
About XQ Math Modules
Each XQ Math module explores critical mathematical concepts and centers on a common theme. To ensure genuine engagement and motivation, modules are designed to accommodate a high degree of student choice.
For example, in responding to a prompt to create a musical artifact, one student might create a TikTok duet using root beer bottles filled with water, while another might build a simple thumb piano, tuned using mathematical modeling, to accompany a song they love.
XQ Math Modules
Making Music from Scratch
Students will create a musical instrument with readily available items and use curve fitting to play their favorite song’s melody.
Close Enough
Students will generate “big picture” questions based on their daily wonders about the world and create mathematical models to estimate a solution to their question(s).
Sensing the Self
Using sensors, students will gather data from their bodies to create a comparative analysis between the body and other real-life phenomena.
Launch
Student teams will design and build a launcher, exploring projectile motion while preparing for a culminating cooperative whole-class challenge, and learning about parabolic modeling along the way.
Sensing the Environment
Using sensors or publicly available datasets, students will gather and analyze local environmental data to support storytelling and sense-making about their communities.
What’s It Worth?
$1.8 million sneakers?? Students will investigate worth and value, quantifying factors involved in making financial decisions relating to their own life and creating a financial model that helps them make their decision.
Going Viral
Students will use exponential modeling to explore human interactions and predict effects on human life.
Mapping Your World
Students create a mapped representation of their world using a sextant, an ancient tool, while enhancing their understanding of trigonometry and triangles.
80s Arcade
Students will explore the nature of graphical transformations to create an 80s style arcade game using the computer simulation software.
An Invitation to Co-Pilot
Participating teachers and students will have the opportunity to improve their practice in doing and developing great projects, while also contributing to a valuable community resource.
Teachers who participate in co-designing will:
• Serve on an advisory group, reviewing XQ Math modules and providing feedback
• Pilot one or more XQ Math modules. Piloting teachers will learn alongside the XQ team as we build resources for powerful learning experiences.
• Be named as contributors to the curriculum
