Free, playful, low-prep math competitions for grades 3–6
One week, one 45-minute Jam, a whole classroom solving puzzles together.
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What is a Math Jam
Math Jams are fun, team-based math competitions for grades 3–6, held several times a year. Each Jam runs for one week, and classrooms compete to earn the most points. The problems are arranged from very easy to challenging, so every student can find the right level of challenge.
Who we are
We are a nonprofit organization on a mission to change how children see math, from something “boring” to something fun, intriguing, and creative. Our goal is to show as many kids as possible that solving problems can be exciting and joyful.
“This was the best math class ever! Can you come back and do this again?”
“They got really hard. But then we teamed up as a group and we figured it out together!”
“I love the cryptarythms! Can I take this home for homework?”
How to host a Jam
It works just like Kahoot:
Teachers register on the site and start the Jam.
Students then connect to their class team with a code, no need to create student accounts or handle logins in advance.
Upcoming Jams
Math Jams are a new classroom experience, shaped by teachers’ feedback. Join an upcoming jam and share your thoughts as we grow the program together.
Start of the Year Jam
September 21-2745 minutes. Choose when to start for each class!
Register for this jamAlso coming up
And 5 more, through May
“Thank you for letting our kiddos have this opportunity! I would love to have this again as soon as possible.”
Q & A
How can I see an example of a Math Jam?
Check out our Demo jam here. You can also access this from your Teacher Dashboard when logged in.
What technology do I need in class?
The platform is web-based. You’ll need a teacher device and student devices with a browser, keyboard, and mouse. (Tablets and phones may be functional, but are not fully supported.)
Students can play individually on their own device, or 2 or more students can share a device to play as a team.
Is a Math Jam a competition or a game?
Yes 🙂. Math Jams are a cooperative classroom competition where classes strive to earn as many points as possible. Aside from scoring, it also has many game-like components, such as the interactive Jeopardy-style gameboard, badges for achievements, and incentives to keep trying. So, we like to think of it as both a competition and a game.
How does scoring work? Is it a team or individual event?
Students play individually or in small teams to solve as many problems correctly as possible and collect points. These points contribute to the larger classroom score, with milestone badges earned at various stages of progress.
Is it really free?
Yes, it is!
Are there different jams for different grade levels?
Each jam is a single competition for all students. Jams are designed for students in Grades 3-6, but classes of any grade level are welcome to play (however, we don’t recommend running them earlier than Grade 2).
Each jam relies minimally on standards-based knowledge. The puzzles instead focus on and develop problem-solving and logical thinking skills so that students from a wide range of grade levels and educational backgrounds can engage in and enjoy the competition.
What if the problems are too hard for my students?
Each jam includes problems ranging from very easy to seriously challenging, giving every student a chance to experience success, challenge, and delight.
Students can also play in teams or even solve puzzles together as a class.
Do students do the Math Jam every day during the week?
No, the Math Jam runs one time for each class during the week that it is open. Teachers choose which day and time to run the Math Jam during that week for each of their classes.
Is it a timed event?
Yes, each jam runs for 45 minutes once started. When the time runs out, the Math Jam is no longer accessible to the class.
After the jam week is over, results and solutions will be posted. There is also an opportunity to keep playing without a timer for those who would like to go back and try the problems again, either at school or at home.
I teach more than one class. Can I run a different Math Jam for each class?
Yes, close to the start of the jam you’ll have an opportunity to create separate events for each of your classes in your Teacher Dashboard.
How are results shared?
The week after the Math Jam, an email will be sent to teachers with a link to answers and solutions, their class results, and (anonymized) data from other classes for comparison. This information will also be available in the Teacher Dashboard.