Expansions, MoMath’s gifted math program
to engage and challenge NYC’s brightest math students
(in person)
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Application Process | Schedule | Pricing | Policies
What is Expansions, the gifted program at MoMath?
Featuring programs for mathematically gifted students enrolled in 1st through 12th grades, Expansions workshops are designed and delivered by MoMath’s educational team to illuminate the wonders of mathematics, challenge and inspire students, and broaden their mathematical horizons. With topics ranging from fractals to cellular automata, these afternoon classes provide an opportunity for participants to learn advanced and fascinating topics not included in the standard K–12 curriculum. Plus, your child can benefit from enjoying math together with small groups of talented and focused young scholars.
MoMath is currently accepting applications for limited spots in the 2024–2025 school year of the Expansions program.
MoMath is delighted to announce that the high school track, Icosahedron, will be taught by award-winning mathematician Chaim Goodman-Strauss, who is MoMath’s Outreach Educator and co-author of the recent groundbreaking papers on the Hat and Spectre tiles, the first-ever shapes in mathematics to tile the plane but only in a non-repeating way. Chaim is the winner of the 2021 Rosenthal Prize for Innovation and Inspiration in Math Teaching and a co-author with John H. Conway and Heidi Burgiel of The Symmetries of Things, a comprehensive book surveying the mathematical theory of patterns.
Expansions offers the following levels. Grade bands (shown parenthetically) provide rough guidelines; final placement is based on demonstrated student ability.
- Tetrahedron, for those who are comfortable with addition and subtraction (approx. grades 1–2):
- Tuesdays, 4:00 pm to 4:45 pm
- Hexahedron, for those who have conquered multiplication and division (approx. grades 3–4):
- Thursdays, 4:00 pm to 4:45 pm
- Octahedron, for those who know the facts about fractions (approx. grades 5–6):
- Tuesdays, 4:15 pm to 5:00 pm
- Dodecahedron, for those with functional knowledge of functions (approx. grades 7–8):
- Thursdays, 4:15 pm to 5:00 pm
- Icosahedron, for those who routinely find the roots of quadratics (approx. grades 9–12):
- Sundays, 3:30 pm to 5:00 pm
Application process
MoMath’s Expansions program offers a small class size approach, hands-on lessons, and a long-term, cohort model that builds dynamic groups of students who learn effectively together and return year after year. Spots are limited, so please submit your application early. Click here to apply.
Schedule
The Fall 2024 semester will run from October 1, 2024 through January 30, 2025.
The Spring 2025 semester will run from February 4, 2024 through June 12, 2025.
Fall 2024 session dates
Fall Semester Tuesdays (for Tetrahedron and Octahedron) will meet on:
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- October 1, 8, 22, and 29. No class on October 15.
- November 5, 12, 19, and 26.
- December 3, 10, and 17. No class on December 24 and 31.
- January 7, 14, 21, and 28.
Fall Semester Thursdays (for Hexahedron and Dodecahedron) will meet on:
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- October 10, 17, 24, and 31.
- November 7, 14, and 21. No class on November 28.
- December 5, 12, and 19. No class on December 26.
- January 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30.
Fall Semester Sundays (for Icosahedron,) will meet on:
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- October 6, 13, and 27. No class on October 20.
- November 3, 10, 17, and 24.
- December 8 and 15. No class on December 1, 22, and 29.
- January 12, 19, and 26. No class on January 5.
Spring 2025 session dates
Spring Semester Tuesdays (for Tetrahedron and Octahedron) will meet on:
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- February 4 and 11. No class on February 18 and 25.
- March 4, 11, 18, and 25.
- April 1, 8, 22, and 29. No class on April 15.
- May 6, 13, 20, and 27.
- June 3.
Spring Semester Thursdays (for Hexahedron and Dodecahedron) will meet on:
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- February 13 and 27. No class on February 20.
- March 6, 13, 20, and 27.
- April 3, 10, and 24. No class on April 17.
- May 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29.
- June 12. No class on June 5.
Spring Semester Sundays (for Icosahedron) will meet on:
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- February 2, 9, and 23. No class on February 16.
- March 2, 9, 23, and 30. No class on March 16.
- April 6 and 27. No class on April 13 and 20.
- May 4, 11, and 18.
Pricing
Participation in Expansions requires full-semester enrollment.
- For Tetrahedron, Hexahedron, Octahedron, and Dodecahedron levels, registration fees are $950 per semester, or $1,700 for the full year.
- For the Icosahedron high school level, the registration fee is $1,150 per semester, or $2,100 for the full year.
MoMath members at the Membership Squared level, or above, will receive a 10% discount. (Not a member? Join today!) MoMath does not prorate fees for mid-term registrations, and refunds will not be given for absences or for any other reasons.
Need-based scholarships are available. Scholarship applicants must meet the income guidelines of the federal Free and Reduced Lunch program and provide verification of household income. Scholarship applicants should complete the regular application form online and send a separate email to scholarships@momath.org with a request for scholarship application instructions. Please allow at least two weeks for the scholarship committee’s review process.
Policies
MoMath will make every effort to run classes as scheduled, but occasionally unusual circumstances beyond MoMath’s control may require that a class be cancelled. If such a cancellation occurs, MoMath may, at its sole discretion, offer make-up sessions.
Note that a particular level will run only if a minimum number of participants register before the start date of the full session. In the rare event that a particular level is cancelled, registrants will be notified and provided with a full refund.
MoMath does not provide make-up classes for absences. Each Expansions series accepts a limited enrollment in order to provide individualized attention to each student. While many reasons may cause a student to miss a class, a registered student holds a reserved seat while others may be turned away due to limited capacity. Additionally, the Museum provides staffing and other resources based on registration. For these reasons, the Museum has a strict no-refund and no make-up policy.
Adult chaperones may wait in the lobby or in Additions, the shop at MoMath. In the event that a class is scheduled to end after the Museum closes at 5:00 pm, adults may wait in Additions, and students will be brought there for dismissal.
All Expansions participants are expected to exhibit good behavior to ensure a positive experience for everyone. At its sole discretion, MoMath may remove a student from the Expansions program for behavioral reasons. If a student is removed for behavioral reasons, for either the day or the remainder of the program, no refund will be issued.
