13 mei 2019

American research (Cooper 1996) shows that students lose 2.6 months of accumulated maths knowledge during the summer holidays. More recent studies from Austria (2015) and Sweden (2001) confirm the existence of this "the summer dip". Formula developer Alon Nir: “There are several digital apps to prevent the dip during the summer holiday, but it is already quite a challenge for parents to get their children away from a screen. Playing a physical card game is seen by both (grand) parents and children as a fun activity. The fact that the children do not even realie that the game makes them better at maths, is of course a very nice side effect.”

Formula is an educational board game that noticeably improves maths skills. It is not only fun to play, but it also increases one’s pleasure in maths. The confidence to calculate is playfully enhanced and it helps to gain more insight in and creativity with numbers. Every player can play at their own level. The maths game is unique in the sense that players must come up with both the sum (the formula) and the answer. The first person to get rid of all their cards has won. Aydin Cihangir, director of the Netherlands Mathematical Institute and of Foutloos Rekenen, is a fan of Formula. “You learn mathematics at school or at a Foutloos Rekenen course. In addition to school or the course, Formula really offers something special. It keeps knowledge active, increases insight in and stimulates creativity with numbers, all in a playful manner. We recommend it to all our students.” Lieke Demenint, mother and owner of Kind Aan Zee in Scheveningen (after-school childcare): "The children really think it's a great game. They don't even realise they are doing math. "

Formula offers many opportunities in the classroom as an addition to school lessons. In first grade, kids keep it simple and mostly make formulas using the plus and minus symbols. In third grade, a teacher can instruct the students to use the multiplication or division symbols only so that the multiplication tables are practiced. In fifth grade, fractions can easily be added. Numerous variations are possible. "The game fits in perfectly with our teaching methods" (Kevin - maths coordinator and fifth grade teacher - OBS Het Volle Leven in The Hague).

 

The social aspect is also important as children learn a lot from the formulas others have made. In our tests, children really helped each other very well. “All children, the ones that are really good in maths and the ones that need extra attention, participated actively, helped and learned from each other. The child who is actually the worst in maths had won twice. I will not be able to get that smile off her face for a week!” (Linde – 3rd grade teacher - OBS Het Volle Leven in The Hague)

 

Formula can be played from the age of six and is available on www.formulagames.co.uk. The base game costs € 12.50 excluding shipping. For children who have already come into contact with fractions, negative numbers, squares or square roots, the extension set (€ 10) is a useful addition. This makes it more challenging, but you can also keep it simple. The extension set can be added inside the box of the base game. The combination of the base game and the extension set costs € 20. Plastic has been avoided in the Formula packaging. There is a paper band around the cards and the box is closed with two paper stickers. The game is therefore plastic-free.

Formula has been created by Alon Nir, whose father designed several games. During Alon's sabbatical, father and son sat down to take one of the father's games to the next level. That day, the creativity and adrenaline kept Alon up the whole night. In the middle of the night he came up with Formula. The next day he immediately went to cut and paste to make a prototype, just like his father used to do. After fine-tuning the game's concept, various designs of the game were made in collaboration with Studio Calico. These have been extensively tested by children, adults and teachers, whose feedback has been included in the end product.

 

For more information please contact:

Alon Nir by phone on 06-54921322 or by email at info@formulagames.nl