Copy Blocks
Pre-written descriptions for every context. Click to copy, paste where you need it.
These are approved, accurate descriptions of Algebra Studio Math Labs. Use them in grant proposals, purchase orders, catalog listings, conference programs, parent communications, and board presentations. Every block is written to stand alone without additional context.
About Algebra Studio
Algebra Studio — One Sentence
Algebra Studio is a collection of hands-on Math Labs — extended, collaborative, project-based mathematics curricula for grades 3–9, built by a team of learning scientists and mathematics educators.
Algebra Studio — Short Description
Algebra Studio is a collection of hands-on Math Labs for grades 3–9. Each lab is a multi-session, collaborative project where students apply grade-level mathematics using physical materials — wood blocks, balance beams, motorized vehicles, rulers, graphing boards. Labs are supplemental to core instruction and designed for enrichment time, STEM blocks, or flex periods. A built-in teaching portal with slides, timing, and video walkthroughs from educator Howie Templer means any teacher can facilitate confidently from day one.
Algebra Studio — Full Description
Algebra Studio is a collection of hands-on Math Labs for grades 3–9. Each lab is a multi-session, collaborative project where students apply grade-level mathematics using physical materials — wood blocks, balance beams, motorized vehicles, rulers, and graphing boards. Labs span 10–35 sessions and cover measurement, area, perimeter, multiplication, fractions, coordinate geometry, algebraic reasoning, and slope.
Labs are supplemental to core instruction, designed for enrichment time, STEM blocks, or flex periods. They do not require a curriculum adoption process. A built-in teaching portal provides slides, session timing, and video walkthroughs from hands-on math educator Howie Templer. Materials ship pre-sorted by session.
Algebra Studio was developed by Peter Meyerhoff, PhD (Learning Sciences, Northwestern University), Jenny Meyerhoff (published children's author), and Howie Templer (nationally recognized hands-on mathematics educator). The program is grounded in research on embodied cognition, collaborative knowledge construction, and the role of physical manipulation in mathematical understanding.
About the Team
Algebra Studio was developed by Peter Meyerhoff (PhD, Learning Sciences, Northwestern University), Jenny Meyerhoff (published children's author and curriculum designer), and Howie Templer (nationally recognized hands-on mathematics educator). Peter's doctoral research focused on how students construct mathematical understanding through physical and collaborative activity. Jenny designs the narrative contexts and student-facing materials. Howie develops the instructional sequences and appears in every teaching portal video, walking teachers through each session step by step.
Grant & Proposal Language
Drop these into federal, state, or local grant applications. Each paragraph is written to satisfy the program description requirements of its specific funding source.
Title I — Supplemental Math Instruction
Algebra Studio Math Labs provide supplemental mathematics instruction for eligible students in grades 3–8. Each lab is a multi-session, standards-aligned project where students apply grade-level mathematics concepts using physical materials in collaborative, team-based settings. Labs are designed to supplement, not replace, core instruction and are implemented during designated enrichment, STEM, or intervention/extension periods. The program includes a teaching portal with structured session plans, built-in pacing tools, and video-based instructional support, enabling consistent implementation across classrooms. Standards alignment documentation is available for Common Core, TEKS, Florida B.E.S.T., and seven additional state frameworks. The program addresses the needs of students who benefit from concrete, hands-on approaches to mathematical reasoning and extended application of grade-level standards.
Title I, Part A — Improving the Academic Achievement of the Disadvantaged. Math Labs qualify as supplemental instructional materials and services.
Title II-A — Professional Development Workshop
The Algebra Studio professional development workshop is a half-day session led by a nationally recognized mathematics educator. Participating teachers experience a Math Lab session as learners — working through the same hands-on, collaborative activity they will later facilitate with students. Following the activity, the facilitator leads a structured debrief on the pedagogical practices involved: launching collaborative mathematical tasks, supporting productive struggle, facilitating mathematical argumentation, and managing hands-on learning environments. Teachers leave with both content-specific preparation for the Math Lab curriculum and transferable instructional strategies for structuring hands-on, collaborative mathematics instruction. The workshop serves up to 30 participants. Cost: $3,995 per session.
Title II, Part A — Supporting Effective Instruction. PD workshop qualifies as professional development delivered by expert practitioners. This is a separate budget line from instructional materials.
Title IV-A — STEM & Well-Rounded Education
Algebra Studio Math Labs provide STEM enrichment through project-based mathematics instruction using physical materials and engineering contexts. Students work in collaborative teams across 10–35 sessions to complete extended projects: designing commercial spaces using area and perimeter measurement, building and testing motorized vehicles to investigate rate and slope, and solving multi-step problems using physical balance systems and equation models. The program supports a well-rounded education by integrating mathematical reasoning with engineering design, spatial reasoning, and collaborative problem-solving. Labs are supplemental to core mathematics instruction and are implemented during designated enrichment or STEM periods.
Title IV, Part A — Student Support and Academic Enrichment. Math Labs qualify under the well-rounded education and STEM provisions.
CTE Perkins — Career & Technical Education
Algebra Studio Math Labs develop mathematical skills in career-relevant contexts for middle school students. Space Academy labs involve engineering motorized vehicles, collecting and analyzing rate data, and applying proportional reasoning to design problems. Slope Lab students investigate linear relationships through physical ramp construction, measurement, and graphing. Students work in collaborative teams, manage multi-session projects, use professional measurement tools, and present quantitative analyses — practices directly aligned with technical career readiness. The program provides structured, standards-aligned mathematical application that prepares students for CTE pathways in engineering, design, and data analysis.
Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act. Applicable to middle school labs with engineering and technical measurement contexts (Space Academy, Slope Lab).
State Math Improvement / Innovation Grant
Algebra Studio Math Labs are supplemental mathematics curricula that provide students with extended, hands-on application of grade-level standards. The program is grounded in learning sciences research on embodied cognition, collaborative knowledge construction, and the role of physical manipulation in mathematical understanding. Each lab spans 10–35 sessions and covers specific grade-level standards in measurement, operations, fractions, algebraic reasoning, and linear functions. The program includes a built-in evaluation framework: districts can implement structured research designs — including delayed-start randomized trials and pre/post assessment comparisons — to measure impact on student mathematical understanding using their existing assessment instruments. Standards alignment documentation is available for Common Core, TEKS, Florida B.E.S.T., and seven additional frameworks.
Adapt for your state's specific math improvement or innovation grant. Emphasize the evaluation framework — many state grants require a measurement plan.
Budget Justification
Language for purchase orders, budget requests, and procurement justifications. Written so a coordinator can paste directly into a PO form or budget memo.
Purchase Order Justification — General
Requesting purchase of Algebra Studio Math Lab kits for supplemental mathematics instruction. Kits include all physical materials and teaching portal access for multi-session, standards-aligned, collaborative mathematics projects. This purchase does not require a curriculum adoption process — Math Labs supplement existing core instruction. Standards alignment documentation for [state framework] is on file. Per-student cost is approximately $35–$40 for 15–20 hours of instruction. Funding source: [Title I / Title IV-A / STEM enrichment / other].
Edit the bracketed fields for your context. Keep it under one paragraph — procurement offices scan, they don't read.
Purchase Order Justification — PD Workshop
Requesting purchase of a half-day Algebra Studio professional development workshop. Workshop is led by a nationally recognized mathematics educator and focuses on structuring hands-on, collaborative mathematics instruction. Up to 30 participating teachers. Cost: $3,995. Funding source: Title II-A (Supporting Effective Instruction — professional development delivered by expert practitioners). This is a separate line item from instructional materials.
The Title II-A note matters — it signals to the business office that this comes from a different budget line than the kits.
Budget Memo — Pilot Proposal
This budget request covers a one-quarter pilot of Algebra Studio Math Labs in [number] classrooms at [school(s)]. The pilot includes Math Lab kits for [grade band] students and an optional professional development workshop for participating teachers. The program includes a structured evaluation framework — pre/post assessment using [district benchmark / prior-year state assessment items] with comparison to non-participating classrooms — so the pilot produces data for any scaling decision. Total cost: [kit cost] + [PD cost if applicable]. Funding sources: kits via [Title I / Title IV-A / STEM enrichment]; PD workshop via Title II-A.
This is for the internal budget memo a coordinator or principal sends to approve a pilot. Fill in the specifics.
Communications
For emails, newsletters, board presentations, and parent communications. Each is written to work without additional explanation.
Email to Principal — Forwarding Up the Chain
I saw a demo of Algebra Studio Math Labs — hands-on, project-based math curricula for enrichment or STEM time. Students work in teams over 10+ sessions to complete projects using physical materials (wood blocks, rulers, balance beams, motorized vehicles). The teaching portal runs each session with slides, timing, and video walkthroughs, so any teacher can facilitate it. It's supplemental — no curriculum adoption needed. They offer evaluation partnerships to help us measure impact, and the per-student cost is about $35–$40 for 15–20 hours. Worth a 15-minute look. I've attached the one-pager.
For a coordinator or teacher to forward to a principal or curriculum director after an initial meeting. Attach the product one-pager PDF.
Board Presentation — Program Description
Algebra Studio Math Labs are supplemental, hands-on mathematics curricula piloted in [number] classrooms this [semester/quarter]. Students work in collaborative teams over 10–35 sessions to complete extended projects using physical materials — designing commercial spaces, building motorized vehicles, solving equations with physical balance systems. The program is standards-aligned, runs through a built-in teaching portal, and supplements core instruction during enrichment or STEM periods. A structured evaluation was conducted using [assessment instrument], comparing participating and non-participating classrooms. [Results / results pending]. The program is funded through [funding source] at a per-student cost of approximately $35–$40.
For a superintendent or principal presenting to the school board. Fill in evaluation results and funding source.
Parent Newsletter
Students in [teacher name]'s class have started an Algebra Studio Math Lab — a hands-on math project where they work in teams to [project-specific description, e.g., "design and build departments of a pet supply store using area, perimeter, and multiplication"]. Over the next [number] sessions, students will measure, build, calculate, and present their work to the class. The project covers the same math standards students are learning in their regular instruction, applied in a collaborative, hands-on context. Ask your child about their team's progress — they may bring home some of what they've built.
For a school or teacher newsletter. Customize the project description for the specific lab being used.
Conference Program Description
Algebra Studio Math Labs are hands-on, collaborative mathematics curricula for grades 3–9. Students work in teams over 10–35 sessions to complete extended projects using physical materials: wood blocks, balance beams, motorized vehicles, rulers, and graphing boards. Labs are supplemental, standards-aligned, and run through a built-in teaching portal with video walkthroughs. Visit our booth to see a lab session in action.
For NCTM, NCSM, ISTE, state math conferences, or trade show programs.
Product Descriptions
For catalogs, websites, email campaigns, and sell sheets. Multiple lengths per product.
PRISM — One Line
A 10-session hands-on Math Lab where students in grades 3–5 design and build departments of a pet supply store using area, perimeter, and multiplication.
PRISM — Short
PRISM: Grand Opening is a 10-session Math Lab for grades 3–5. Student teams design and build departments of a pet supply store using colored tiles, wood blocks, custom rulers, and oversized Petville maps. Over 15–20 hours of instruction, students tile areas with paper squares, calculate material costs using multiplication, determine perimeters, and present their finished departments. All materials are consumable — students take their work home. Teaching portal with slides, timer, and video walkthroughs included.
PRISM — Full
PRISM: Grand Opening is the flagship elementary lab in the Algebra Studio collection. Over 10 sessions (15–20 hours), student teams of 3–4 design and build departments of a pet supply store. Seven teams build seven departments, culminating in a class-wide grand opening presentation.
Students tile areas with colored paper squares to understand unit measurement, calculate material costs using multi-digit multiplication, determine perimeters for department signs, build aquarium castles with wood blocks, and present quantitative arguments to their classmates. Materials include colored tiles, custom PRISM rulers, oversized Petville maps, wood cubes, grid sheets, MATHKINS™ stuffed dogs, and a complete poster set.
All materials are consumable — students take their finished work home. The teaching portal provides session slides, a built-in timer, and video walkthroughs from Howie Templer. Grades 3–5. Standards: 2.MD, 3.MD, 3.OA, 3.NBT.
Essentials — One Line
Two hands-on Math Labs — Balance Lab (14 lessons, equations) and Slope Lab (21 lessons, rate and slope) — covering foundational algebra for grades 6–8+ using physical balance beams, motorized racers, and graphing boards.
Essentials — Short
Essentials combines Balance Lab and Slope Lab — 35 lessons covering foundational algebra for grades 6–8+. In Balance Lab, students solve equations physically using K'Nex™ balance beams, progressing from physical balance to equation mats to paper and pencil across 14 lessons. In Slope Lab, students build and test Circuit Cubes™ motorized racers, collect rate data, and develop slope concepts through 21 lessons — from gravity racers to constant rate to y = mx + b. All materials are fully durable — one-time purchase, no consumables, no refills. Teaching portal with slides, timer, and video walkthroughs included.
Essentials — Full
Essentials is the foundational algebra package in the Algebra Studio collection: Balance Lab (14 lessons) and Slope Lab (21 lessons), 35 lessons and 40–50 hours of instruction total.
Balance Lab teaches equation solving through physical manipulation. Students begin with K'Nex™ balance beams (Lessons 1–4), progress to equation mats with cups and cubes (Lessons 5–9), and transition to paper-and-pencil methods (Lessons 10–14). The progression covers one-step through variables-on-both-sides equations. Standards: 6.EE, 7.EE, 8.EE.C.7.
Slope Lab develops rate and slope concepts through motorized vehicle investigation. Students build Circuit Cubes™ Gravity Racers, collect rate data from ramp experiments, construct Motor Racers, and progress through constant rate, unit rate, graphing, slope, and y = mx + b. The lab culminates in a Grand Prix prediction challenge. Standards: 7.RP, 8.EE, 8.F.
All materials are fully durable — one-time purchase. Kit includes balance beams, motor kits, ramp kits, tape measures, stopwatches, write-on wipe-off oversized graphing boards, game cards, and player's guides.
Mega Mini Games — One Line
Hands-on Math Labs for fractions in grades 4–6. Design Game X (10 sessions, grade 4) and The Next Big Game (grade 5) cover fraction concepts through collaborative, project-based learning.
Mega Mini Games — Short
Mega Mini Games are the Algebra Studio fraction Math Labs for grades 4–6. Design Game X (grade 4, 10 sessions) covers fraction equivalence, comparison, and representation through hands-on game design. The Next Big Game (grade 5) extends to fraction operations. Both labs use the same collaborative, project-based format as all Algebra Studio Math Labs — physical materials, team-based structure, and a teaching portal with slides, timing, and video walkthroughs. Standards: 3.NF, 4.NF, 5.NF.
Space Academy — One Line
Aerospace-themed Math Labs for grades 5–8. Finding P.I.P.E.R. (coordinate plane and patterns, grade 5) and Journey to Titan (ratios, rate, percent, and scale, grade 6) use engineering contexts for mathematical application.
Space Academy — Short
Space Academy includes two Math Labs in aerospace engineering contexts. Finding P.I.P.E.R. (grade 5) covers the coordinate plane, patterns, and operations through space-themed missions. Journey to Titan (grade 6, 10 sessions) covers ratios, rate, percent, and scale through a progression of engineering challenges. Both labs use physical materials and collaborative, team-based structures. Standards: Finding P.I.P.E.R. covers 3.NBT, 5.G, 5.OA, 5.NBT, 6.RP. Journey to Titan covers 5.OA, 6.RP, 6.EE, 7.RP, 7.G.
Games Library — One Line
27 free, print-and-play collaborative math games for grades K–8. Bilingual (English/Spanish). Covering multiplication, fractions, geometry, coordinates, and algebraic reasoning. No materials to purchase.
Games Library — Short
The Algebra Studio Games Library is a collection of 27 free, print-and-play collaborative math games for grades K–8. Games are bilingual (English/Spanish) and cover multiplication, area, fractions, geometry, coordinates, and algebraic reasoning. Each game is designed for pairs or small groups, requires little beyond printed cards and a pencil, and takes 15–30 minutes. Available at algebrastudio.org/games.
Program Descriptions
For afterschool, summer, and enrichment program contexts.
Afterschool / Summer Program Description
Algebra Studio Math Labs are hands-on, team-based mathematics projects designed for afterschool, summer, and enrichment settings. Students work collaboratively over multiple sessions to complete projects using physical materials — designing stores, building vehicles, solving equations with balance beams. The format is structurally different from the school day: students are building, measuring, and problem-solving together, not completing worksheets. A built-in teaching portal with slides and video walkthroughs means program staff can facilitate sessions without specialized math teaching experience. Labs are available for grades 3–8 and cover standards-aligned mathematics in area, fractions, algebraic reasoning, and more.
Evaluation Partnership Description
Algebra Studio Math Labs include an evaluation partnership option for districts. Rather than relying on external efficacy claims, the program provides structured research design options for measuring impact using the district's own assessment instruments and student population. Design options include: (1) a delayed-start randomized controlled trial within participating schools, (2) pre/post assessment using district benchmark or prior-year state assessment items, (3) matched comparison between participating and non-participating classrooms, and (4) an implementation and perception study documenting instructional quality and stakeholder response. The program team provides the research design framework and supports data collection planning. Results are shared transparently with the district regardless of outcome.
For pilot proposals, grant applications requiring an evaluation plan, or board presentations. Customize with specific assessment instruments and timeline.
PD Workshop Description
The Algebra Studio half-day professional development workshop is led by a nationally recognized mathematics educator. Participating teachers experience a Math Lab session as learners — working through the same hands-on, collaborative activity they will facilitate with students. Following the activity, the facilitator leads a structured debrief covering: launching collaborative mathematical tasks, supporting productive struggle without reducing cognitive demand, facilitating mathematical argumentation among student teams, and managing hands-on learning environments with physical materials. The workshop develops transferable instructional practices applicable beyond the Math Lab curriculum. Half-day format, up to 30 participants, $3,995. Qualifies for Title II-A funding as professional development delivered by expert practitioners.