On making mathematics flourish for students to grasp it: Teachers designing informal mathematics education workshops in museums

This paper presents findings from the InformalMath program, which aims to integrate Informal Mathematics Education Workshops (IMEWs) into teacher education through collaboration with non-scientific museums. Through a three-phase structure, teachers engaged in collaborative IMEW design, addressing challenges, and enhancing their understanding of integrating mathematics into informal contexts. Interviews with participating teachers revealed significant learning experiences, including group collaboration skills and the importance of hands-on activities. Moreover, teachers reported integrating elements of InformalMath, such as teaching through artifacts and emphasizing experiential learning, into their classroom practices. Overall, the program demonstrated the potential to transform mathematics education by fostering creativity, exploration, and meaningful engagement with mathematics beyond traditional classroom boundaries.