What to Expect at the NMF Live Online Weekend | National Math Festival
Photo of children doing math puzzles

What to Expect at the NMF Live Online Weekend

The 2021 NMF Live Online Weekend takes place April 16-18, 2021 on Hopin. The NMF is a youth-centered environment, with moderated Q&A, live support staff at the online help desk during Festival hours, and dedicated activities for every age group: 2-4, 5-7, 8-10, 11-13, 14-18, 18+, and All Ages.

This is family math inspiration at its best. Drop in and out throughout the weekend. Stay a few minutes, or a few hours. Take it easy, or dive deeply: Both approaches will be fun during this exciting community-building weekend.

Check out the schedule in advance and plan your time.... or just show up and see what's happening live!

 

How to Get the Most Out of the NMF Live Online Weekend from MSRI / National Math Festival.

 

What will you find at the 2021 National Math Festival events?

Stan Isaacs

At the NMF Live Online Weekend on April 16-18, you will find:

  • A chance to connect in joyful math play with others
  • Individual challenges and small group workshops — all free of charge!
  • Optional chat and video/audio interaction: you choose whether to join or watch
  • Plenty of options for kids, teens, and adults
  • Live Q&A and conversation with math fun experts
  • Interactive demos, games, and resources for future fun
  • Meet other math-loving kids and adults of all ages
  • Activities ranging from art-making, to rap songwriting, group game play, apps and activities online... balloon bending, puzzle solving, "meet the mathematician" career exploration chats, and much more!

Attendees will be able to choose from among 3 to 6 live Sessions during each 30-minute time block on April 17-18, as well as visit dozens of Booths with live staff answering your questions and sharing resources on camera. The Stage features live presentations and film events where you can sit back and watch or join the moderated chat.
 

NMF Live Online Weekend Schedule

  • Friday, April 16, 2021: 12:30pm - 7pm US Eastern Time (Stage Events Only)
  • Saturday, April 17, 2021: 10:30am - 8pm US Eastern Time
  • Sunday, April 18, 2021: 10:30am - 4:30pm US Eastern Time

 

View the Schedule of Events

Guide to Accessing the NMF Live Online Weekend

Tips & Tricks for Navigating Hopin

 

What is the National Math Festival?

The National Math Festival showcases the beauty, fun, and importance of mathematics in the world around us. We bring together some of today’s most fascinating mathematicians for presentations, performances, and hands-on events for adults and kids of all ages. Discover the delight and power of mathematics during this free public event from Friday, April 16 through Sunday, April 18 virtually on Hopin.com.
 

When is the 2021 National Math Festival?

The 2021 Festival has moved online this year, with the majority of activities taking place at the NMF Live Online Weekend, April 16-18, 2021. You may also view recorded events that took place during December 2020 - March 2021 on our website.

You can register for free on Eventbrite! Registered attendees will get email instructions on how to access the events on Hopin.com.
 

What time zone does the NMF Live Online Weekend take place in?

The 2021 NMF Live Online Weekend takes place in U.S. Eastern Time (GMT/UTC -4:00). Please check your local time to ensure you don’t miss out on any live events you wish to attend!
 

Where does the NMF Live Online Weekend take place?

We are hosting the Festival weekend on Hopin, an online events platform. The Hopin platform includes live streamed presentations, hands-on sessions with our activity presenters and virtual booths. The exact link to access the Festival events will be released the week of April 12, 2021.
 

Do I have to pay to attend the NMF Live Online Weekend?

No, the National Math Festival is free and open to the public! All you have to do is register your email address for access to Hopin. Need assistance registering? Contact us at [email protected].

There is no paid programming at the NMF Live Online Weekend. Attendees who wish to purchase math-related books, games, or other materials related to 2021 Festival presentations can do so via Additions: The Shop at MoMath, on the National Museum of Mathematics (MoMath) website.
 

How do I join the NMF Live Online Weekend events?

Please register for the 2021 NMF Live Online Weekend by visiting this link. You will receive an email the week of the Festival with instructions to access Hopin.

If you are unable to locate the email or did not receive one by 2 PM Eastern on Thursday, April 15, please reach out to our Event Team at [email protected].
 

What language(s) do NMF Live Online Weekend events take place in?

While most events take place in English, there are a select number of Spanish-language live Sessions in Spanish, as well as math organization Booths staffed with Spanish-speaking staff. View all Spanish language events here.
 

What age levels is the NMF Live Online Weekend meant for?

The National Math Festival is proud to feature programming for toddlers through adults. For our littlest guests, families can join short, small-group sessions to try hands-on play under the guidance of early childhood educators. You and your child can join on camera to share your activities, or watch and play at your own pace.

For older children through teens, you can participate in live, guided sessions (30 minutes or less) with mathematicians and math organizations, ranging from DIY activities and demos to puzzle solving and interactive games. Families can drop by live Booths and have one-on-one conversations about your interests, and get free resources, meet working mathematicians, and more.

Teens and adults of all ages can settle in with juicy, accessible, popular talks on playful mathematics and the math behind how the world works and creative films geared at high schoolers and middle schoolers. Visit the event schedule to find more information on programs for different interests and ages.

The National Math Festival is dedicated to a welcoming, harassment-free festival experience for everyone. Our full anti-harassment policy can be found here. Our privacy policy is here, and our website terms of use are here.

The National Math Festival does not knowingly collect personal information online from individuals under the age of 13. Adults ages 18+ and children ages 13+ may independently register and participate in online events. Anyone ages 12 and under must be registered by and accompanied by a parent or guardian.
 

How long should we plan to spend at the NMF Live Online Weekend?

We know that attending a virtual Festival is a different experience than in-person programming. The NMF Live Online Weekend offers programming on Friday, April 16 (12:30pm - 7pm US Eastern Time), Saturday, April 17 (10:30am - 8pm US Eastern Time), and Sunday, April 18 (10:30am - 4:30pm US Eastern Time).

Stage presentations may run from 30 minutes to 2 hours. Sessions (live, small-group activities) are held in 30 minute blocks. Booths (live, staffed resource and conversation hubs) are accessible at various time blocks on Saturday and Sunday.

Some people may wish to join for as many events as possible, while others may prefer to select a few events of interest to join. Sessions and Booths are NOT recorded and feature live presenters and personal interaction, and we recommend that you mark your calendar for any “can’t miss” events. View the event schedule.
 

What accommodations are available for persons with disabilities?

At the National Math Festival, we are committed to providing access to events and activities for all participants, and we welcome guests with disabilities. As with our in-person events, this access will include captioning and/or live interpretation of selected festival events. 

Live Stage events will be auto-captioned. Recordings of many live Stage events will be released in the week(s) following the Festival with edited captions. Consult the NMF website schedule for pre-recorded events. For Sessions and Booths, live ASL interpretation will be available upon request on a first-come, first-served basis by inquiring at the Tech Help Desk in the Booths section. For more information or to request advance arrangements, please contact us at [email protected]

Hopin is compatible with screen reader technology for attendees with visual impairment. For additional questions, please contact [email protected] with your inquiry.
 

Do I have to be on camera and/or audio as an attendee?

This is entirely up to you! If your computer or mobile device has video/audio capabilities, you are invited to be seen or heard at select events. It is not required for any attendee to appear on video or audio for any event.

During the NMF Live Online Weekend, you may have the opportunity to be visible on camera with our Sessions activity presenters and while visiting Booths if you want to be seen by the presenter or organization hosts. Please visit this link to test your video or audio settings.

Learn more below:

  • Stage events only allow the presenters to be seen or heard. As an audience member, you can communicate with us using the Q&A function if you have questions. 
  • If you join any Sessions, up to 10 people including the presenter(s) can be on camera/audio at once, and all other attendees can communicate using the Q&A function. Otherwise you’ll watch the session as a live broadcast as an audience member, and no one will be able to see or hear you.
  • For Booths, you can decide whether or not to use video/audio to be seen, or if you want to just browse or listen in. There is also a Q&A function here to type your questions. This is a great chance to have a conversation with people and mathematicians from organizations all over the United States and around the world!

Please note: Hopin does not support the use of “virtual background” technology that you may be familiar with from other video platforms. If you choose to appear on camera and wish to obscure your home/setting, we recommend that you sit with a wall behind you or use a privacy screen if desired.
 

How can I get more information about the 2021 National Math Festival?

Sign up for the National Math Festival email newsletter to get news alerts about featured events, guest speakers, math puzzles and resources, and more.

You can also follow us on Twitter @natmathfestival, Facebook @nationalmathfestival, and Instagram @natmathfestival.
 

How can I get involved in or sponsor the 2021 National Math Festival?

The 2021 Festival is currently not offering any volunteer opportunities. However, we encourage those interested in math outreach programs to discuss opportunities with the presenters at the NMF Live Online Weekend booths!

For more information about sponsorship opportunities, contact Annie Averitt, Director of Advancement and External Relations, at the Mathematical Sciences Research Institute (MSRI), at [email protected].