Dr. Raj Shah | National Math Festival

Dr. Raj Shah

Math Plus Academy

Dr. Raj Shah has always had an affinity for math. His love of math led to a PhD in physics in 1999. In 2008, Shah quit his job at Intel and founded Math Plus Academy, an after-school STEM enrichment program for kids from 5 to 14 years old. His mission is to introduce kids and adults to the wonders of mathematics. He also contributes his time to Math Teacher Circles, the Julia Robinson Math Festival, and is a charter member of the Global Math Project. He believes that everyone can enjoy math, develop strong number sense, and become a perseverant problem solver.


2017 Festival – Exploding Dots: A Preview to Global Math Week

Dr. James Tanton says: “Here is a story that isn’t true. When I was a young child I invented a machine (not true) that was nothing more than a series of boxes that could hold dots. And these dots would, upon certain actions, explode. And with this machine (in this non-true story) I realized that I could explain true things! I could explain all the mathematics of arithmetic I learnt in grade school (true), all the of the polynomial algebra I was to learn in high-school (true), elements of calculus and number theory I was to learn in university (true), and explore unanswered research questions mathematicians are studying today (also true)!” Dr. Raj Shah, a charter member of the Global Math Project and Exploding Dots expert, gave this talk in lieu of Dr. James Tanton.