Changing Wyoming's Math Narrative

Many young people grow up believing that math is only for certain people. Through Project R³, we're helping shift that narrative. 

Our goal is simple: 

Move from "Who's good at math?" to "Let's grow mathematical learners." 

Math is More Than a School Subject

R³ (pronounced "R Cubed") is designed to strengthen math relationships, relevance, and real-world application across the out-of-school-time (OST) field. 

STEM Next is leading this national initiative to help afterschool, summer, library, scouting, and community programs create meaningful math experiences that build confidence and problem-solving skills. 

Building Mathematical Thinkers 

Every young person can grow as a mathematical thinker. 

By focusing on relationships, relevance, and real-world application, Wyoming's out-of-school programs can help youth develop the confidence and skills they need to thrive in school, careers, and life.  

As our partners at STEM Next say, “Math is more than a school subject. It’s a life skill that unlocks educational pathways, career options, economic mobility, and problem-solving abilities that young people need in their everyday lives. Yet with national math score declines accelerating, many youth are losing confidence long before they lose interest. While in-school supports like tutoring and curriculum reform are critical, afterschool and summer programs offer something different and desperately needed: hands-on, real-world learning where young people can build confidence, try new approaches without fear of failure, and see math as relevant and useful.” 

Together, we're creating a Wyoming where every young person sees themselves as capable of doing and using math.