Algebra Studio — Hands-On Math for Grades 3–9

Hands-on mathematics experiences for grades 3–9,
built by researchers and teachers.

Kids learn math by doing things with their hands and working together on fun projects.


Watch what happens when students can touch the algebra

"I was able to get a visual, and actually, like, understand it." — 8th grade student, Chicago

Students demonstrate Balance Lab and explain — in their own words — what it means to understand and solve equations with physical objects.


Video Library
Hands-On with Howie

Short, focused math mini-lessons covering a broad range of standards from grades 3–8. Area and arrays, fraction operations, coordinate graphing, algebraic reasoning, and more — taught by veteran math educator Howie Templer.

Watch the video library

Who built this

Algebra Studio was developed by a learning scientist, a children's book author, and a veteran math teacher. The collection draws on research in the cognitive and learning sciences — how hands-on activity grounds mathematical cognition, and how students construct knowledge by reasoning through problems together. Every lab is built in the design tradition: developed, tested, and refined in real classrooms.

Peter Meyerhoff
Peter Meyerhoff, PhD
Learning Scientist
Jenny Meyerhoff
Jenny Meyerhoff
Creative Director
Howie Templer
Howie Templer
Chief Project Designer

Research & evidence

Grounded in learning sciences research from Northwestern University. Built on embodied cognition, situated learning, and collaborative knowledge construction. Read the research basis →
Used by districts across the U.S. Evaluation partnerships available — co-designed research with pre/post assessments and classroom observation protocols.

Professional development

Half-day workshops led by nationally recognized math educators. Teachers experience a Math Lab as learners — working with the physical materials in teams — then unpack facilitation strategies and teaching moves. Fun, hands-on, and immediately useful. Learn about PD →