Unveiling Strategies: National Math Stars Breaking Down Obstacles for Aspiring Young Mathematical Prodigies
Hanging out with Ilana Walder-Biesanz, the boss of Math Wunderkinds, was a blast. We chatted about her crackin' educational program that's making waves in the advanced math world for super-smart kiddos.
Walder-Biesanz knows the struggle of these bright spirits firsthand. Growing up in rainy old Portland, she was, like, six years ahead in math. Her folks had to juggle schools, colleges, and online math resources to keep her engaged. "My folks had to work hard with schools, local colleges, and online math options to find ways to challenge me," she chuckled. This experience helped shape her career, which included engineering, tech product management, and non-profit consulting before leading Math Wunderkinds.
Her crew brings a bag full of skills to the table. They've got ex-Teach for America teachers, school administrators who served as principals and superintendents, non-profit leaders, and math whizzes with deep knowledge of STEM enrichment. "We're like a bunch of people who have been in and care deeply about education, and people who have started and built things from scratch," Walder-Biesanz said. "We all have a background in science or math, which helps us understand these students."
Math Wunderkinds was dreamt up by two generous organizations, Carina Initiatives and Polynera Fund, in 2023. They were backing advanced math summer camps but noticed the participants came from a limited pool of neighborhoods and economic backgrounds. They invited Walder-Biesanz to create a program that would find and support mathematically gifted students from across the US, starting from an early age and investing heavily in their education.
Math Wunderkinds isn't just sniffing out smarty-pants math kiddos—they're making sure these geniuses don't get lost. The organization seeks out students in the 2nd and 3rd grades through school recommendations or parent (even homeschooling) applications. Most applicants find Math Wunderkinds through their Awards Program, where participating schools recognize their best math students. They've already shipped more than 10,000 awards this year for kiddos across Texas and the Midwest, partnering with over 2,000 elementary schools.
Ellen Gay, a specialist in gifted education at Medina Valley School District, shares, "Partnering with Math Wunderkinds has given our top math students essential recognition and valuable academic experiences beyond the classroom. Many of these students and their families were unaware of their full potential. As a district, we are committed to providing resources and opportunities to help these students reach their highest potential."
Once accepted, kids receive a cute decade-long commitment of support through high school. They kicked things off with an initial cohort of 12 students in 2023, and since then, they've grown to support 70 students, with plans to welcome over a hundred more this summer.
The program is personalized and tailor-made. Every student takes advanced math courses and participates in weekly small-group mentoring sessions with mathematicians, where they tackle challenges that spark their curiosity. Families get a STEM budget for enrichment activities, like chess lessons or 3D printers, and the program covers one annual summer camp for each student.
Family advocates serve as guides, helping parents navigate opportunities and advocate for appropriate school accommodations. They work with families to develop their kids' long-term visions and provide continuity and purpose to their educational journeys. The community aspect is also crucial—Math Wunderkinds arranges in-person welcome weekends, online events on topics like Pi Day activities and Rubik's Cube challenges, and local gatherings where students meet peers with similar interests and abilities. These connections combat the isolation often experienced by gifted children, helping them form friendships based on shared interests and fostering a sense of belonging to a larger community.
Holden's parents, whose kid is part of the 2024 cohort, say, "Being a part of the Math Wunderkinds program has been an amazing experience for our family. It has given Holden a place where he can truly push himself, connect with like-minded peers who share his passion for math, and grow both academically and personally. The mentorship and opportunities have pushed him to think in new ways, and we've seen his confidence and his excitement for math grow. As parents, we've realized that we are no longer navigating this journey alone."
Math Wunderkinds wants to make sure parents of brilliant young minds aren't sailing solo—and that resources and funds aren't obstacles in supporting their kids' talents. "There's a huge pool of extraordinary talent in the US," Walder-Biesanz explained, nodding towards Opportunity Insights' "Lost Einsteins" research, which found that while children with high third-grade math scores are more likely to become inventors, family income heavily influences outcomes. "Only a tiny fraction fully realizes their potential."
When concerns surface about AI jeopardizing STEM careers, Walder-Biesanz stays cool: "Even with the growth of AI, problem-solving skills and the soft skills developed around that—resilience, clear communication, collaboration—will still be super valuable, no matter what the career paths are."
When mathematical talent links with opportunities and support, the course changes for both the student and society. Math Wunderkinds is on the hunt for school and district partners, especially in remote or lower-income areas within their target states, to recommend their brightest math students. They're also psyched to connect with additional funders eager to support mathematical talent development.
In a world where gifted mathematicians can sometimes feel misunderstood and isolated, programs like Math Wunderkinds stand out—created by leaders who've walked this path themselves, they merge a deep understanding of gifted children's unique needs with genuine care and intellectual rigor, nurturing an environment where mathematical brilliance isn't just found, but flourishes.
Walder-Biesanz, the founder of Math Wunderkinds, aims to support mathematically gifted students nationwide, recognizing the need for everyday resources and education opportunities for these students. With a deep understanding of the struggles of such students, having herself been years ahead in math, Walder-Biesanz leverages her background in engineering, tech product management, and non-profit consulting to provide unique, tailored support for students in STEM education, promoting personal growth and fostering a sense of belonging among these students.
