About SUMM
SUMM’s mission is to spark each and every person to love math.
Concept rendering by FRAME, with Karoo Design Visualization.
We admit it — we’re math-lovers.
We love the wonder and beauty in math, how it helps us understand the world we live in and dream up ways to improve it. We exist to inspire kids to feel that way too. We love the beauty in an elegant proof, the mathematical relationship between notes in music, and finding a Fibonacci sequence in a head of cauliflower.
And we believe that math isn’t just for enthusiasts, it’s for everyone.
Math is universal – it’s everywhere and for everyone. We all engage with math daily, when approximating time, calculating how much to spend or save, estimating distances, or doubling recipes. Math provides us with a problem-solving foundation essential for life and careers. And it enables us to appreciate connections in the world around us.
But currently, we have a math problem.
It doesn’t take a math Ph.D. to see from the numbers that we are underserving our youngest generation. US mathematical literacy is below average when compared with other nations. Student math achievement scores in Washington are low and decline as kids get older, with historically marginalized groups disproportionately affected.
Source: Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction.
We believe that we can turn this around, together.
SUMM will be a space for learners to engage with math in hands-on, fun ways that spark curiosity and ignite new ideas that will stay with them for the rest of their lives. We will take you on a math journey and create opportunities for exploration, discovery, and growth.
Concept rendering by FRAME, with Karoo Design Visualization.
In partnership with community-based organizations, SUMM will create equitable learning opportunities that serve as a launchpad for curiosity and confidence in math. We will meet students where they are and support learning math from a cultural perspective, valuing the historical and current excellence and contributions to mathematics from around the world. SUMM will provide culturally responsive student/family/community outreach and engagement practices. We plan to hire staff from the diverse populations that we strive to serve.
Our logo is our spark.
SUMM’s logo was designed by renowned New York based graphic design superstar Cory Schmitz. It represents bringing the wonder of math and creativity together to have fun. Designer Schmitz said the inspiration for the logo came from the basic math operations, creating a “spark”.
The logo is a graphical representation of SUMM’s mission to spark each and every person to love math.
The logo design was generously supported with a gift from Saxs and Siobhán Persson.
Have more questions? Check out our FAQ page.