The Mathematical Thinking Initiative is a regional program launched in September 2025, designed to bridge the gap between abstract mathematical concepts and their creative, real-world applications. This initiative seeks to connect young learners across Southeast Asia and beyond through a unique blend of creativity, technology, and collaboration. At its heart, the project aims to make mathematics “come alive” by shifting the focus from traditional rote learning to inquiry-based challenges that inspire curiosity and problem-solving. By providing an international platform, the initiative encourages students to view mathematics not just as a set of rules, but as a vibrant tool for innovation in STEM education.
𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗮-𝗔𝗦𝗘𝗔𝗡 𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗠 𝗜𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗩𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗼 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗲𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲
𝗨𝗡𝗘𝗦𝗖𝗢 𝗜𝗡𝗥𝗨𝗟𝗘𝗗, 𝗖𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗾𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗕𝗮𝘀𝗵𝘂 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗽, 𝗡𝗦𝗧𝗗𝗔 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱, and 𝗦𝗘𝗔𝗠𝗘𝗢 𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗠-𝗘𝗗 invite young innovators from 𝗔𝗦𝗘𝗔𝗡 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗮 to showcase their creativity through STEM! 
A 𝟑-𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐭𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐨 presenting an innovative STEM project and the problem-solving process behind a real-life situation through teamwork, communication, and STEM skills. Projects may include experiments, inventions, handmade artworks, modelling practices, or mini-research projects.
𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐎𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬: 𝗙𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝘆 𝗧𝗿𝗶𝗽 𝘁𝗼 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗮 (Late October 2026)
𝗔𝗴𝗲 𝗖𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀
• 𝗟𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘆: 6–9 years old
• 𝗨𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘆: 10–12 years old
• 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗿𝘆: 13–15 years old
𝗙𝘂𝗹𝗹 𝗱𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀, 𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘃𝗶𝗮 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗤𝗥 𝗰𝗼𝗱𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿.
The overarching goal of the Mathematical Thinking Initiative is to strengthen mathematical thinking by fostering activities that inspire creativity and meaningful applications of mathematics in STEM. By connecting youth across 14 countries, the project aims to build a regional community of learners who can collaborate and solve complex problems.
The specific objectives of the project include:
One of the project's primary components is the Function Art Competition, which challenges youth aged 12 to 18 to create original digital artworks constructed entirely within the GeoGebra software. This competition requires students to utilise mathematical functions—specifically between 30 and 150 functions per design—to build visual masterpieces. This process fosters deep mathematical reasoning and technical proficiency, as participants must understand transformations, domain restrictions, and the aesthetic balance of their equations. The project is inclusive, inviting individual students or teams of two, (formal and non-formal education) from SEAMEO Member Countries, as well as China, Japan, and South Korea.
The initiative recently celebrated the conclusion of its first Function Art Competition, which attracted nearly 100 teams from across the region. On December 12, 2025, the final winners were announced following a rigorous judging process. The prestigious First Prize was awarded to the artwork titled Kaleidoscope Hamlet, while Feathered Jewel of Pavo and The Eye That Witnessed took second and third place, respectively. Special recognition was also given to creative entries such as Pokemon and Zenitsu Function Art.
Kaleidoscope Hamlet
Feathered Jewel of Pavo
The Eye That Witnessed
In addition to the Math-Art competition, the initiative expanded in 2026 to include the “Play with Math” STEM Innovation and Practice Student Video Competition. This branch targets primary and junior secondary students, encouraging them to apply mathematical concepts to creative STEM projects and document their findings through digital storytelling. Before these competitions begin, the project provides comprehensive orientation sessions for both students and teachers. These sessions introduce fundamentals such as mathematical visualisation and digital design techniques, ensuring that the initiative serves as a robust learning journey rather than just a contest. To date, the program has successfully engaged hundreds of teams across the region, demonstrating a strong international interest in creative mathematics.
Building on this success, the 2026 launch of the “Play with Math” Video Competition has already seen participation from more than 100 student teams. This expansion highlights the initiative’s growing reach into primary education and its success in promoting mathematical literacy through creative digital storytelling. These updates underscore a vibrant community of young mathematical thinkers who are actively redefining how STEM concepts are practiced and shared internationally.
