ST Math Fluency+ Games

ST Math Fluency+ is a brand new program pursuing the goal to simultaneously train math fact fluency and math-related executive functions. Its main goal is to maximize an individual student’s cognitive capacity for math learning.

Math fluency describes the skill to accurately and quickly solve relatively simple math problems such as 5 + 2 or 9 − 3 . Being fluent in math facts allows students to redirect precious cognitive resources to more complex and trickier math problems than such math fluency facts.

Executive functions refer to cognitive mechanisms that are involved in conscious goal-directed behavior. Executive functions are especially utilized in non-routine situations in which relying on intuition or instinct is not enough. Several categories of executive functions are often described. For example, cognitive flexibility describes switching attention as required by the situation and being flexible in thinking. Inhibitory control involves resisting to react impulsively and focusing on relevant information and resisting distractions. Finally, working memory denotes the skill of keeping information in short-term memory and manipulating information at the same time.

There is a bidirectional relationship between executive functions and math. On one hand, executive functions provide children with the mental workspace to learn and perform math operations. On the other hand, procedural requirements such as keeping track of partial results during mental math provide opportunities to practice executive function skills.

ST Math Fluency+ strategically aims to train both, math fluency facts and executive functions at the same time and it does it by adjusting its difficult level individually for every student. In the following we describe the games that are available within ST Math Fluency+.

Select a game to learn more.

Light Beam

Paper Pile

Light Bulb

Hex Climber

Paddle Shifter

Roto Cloud

Number Cup

Bead Runner

Chaos Scramble

Light Beam focuses primarily on working memory. It requires keeping information in mind while information must be manipulated.

Click here to play Light Beam

Step 1
In the first step of the game, information in the form of shapes, letters, or numbers are presented. The student is asked to memorize this information.

Step 2
In the next step, the previously presented information is covered.

Step 3
The cover must be lifted by solving a math fact problem.

Step 4
Finally, the previously presented information must be recalled from a selection of answer choices.

Paper Pile requires keeping in mind the last number that was put on different paper piles. This game taxes working memory and especially updating processes.

Click here to play Paper Pile

Step 1
Students need to solve a series of math problems. The correct results move to different piles.

Step 2
The numbers are hidden on the piles, but students must keep in mind the last number that was moved to each pile.

Step 3
Finally, students must recall which number is on top of each pile.

Light Bulb requires memorizing a sequence of locations. That sequence must be repeated but between every recall, students must solve a math problem. A game that focuses on working memory.

Click here to play Light Bulb

Step 1
In the beginning, students are presented with Light Bulbs that are labeled with different numbers.

Step 2
Students must select the Light Bulbs in ascending order. They start with the Light Bulb that has lowest number.

Step 3
Between each selection, students must solve a math problem.

Step 4
Until they successfully selected all Light Bulbs in the correct order.

Hex Climber is a paced game that focuses on practicing the multiplication table. It requires resisting selecting the correct solution.

Click here to play Hex Climber

Step 1
The goal of Hex Climber is to fill the hex-stack with yellow hexagons that are falling from top to bottom.

However, the hex-stack can only be filled with hexagons that have certain numbers on them.

Step 2
The tile in the lower right corner defines what numbers you must look out for.

Here, you need to look for multiples of 7. You must select all numbers that are not multiples of 7. For example, here you must select 6 because 6 is not a multiple of 7.

Step 3
However, you must not select 63, because 63 is a multiple of 7. Do not tap or click on any numbers that are multiples of 7, so that they can fill the hex-stack.

Step 4
Once you filled the hex-stack, JiJi can climb up the ladder and go to the next level.

Paddle Shifter requires students to track multiple objects moving across the screen and to recall with which information they are associated with. The game focuses mainly on working memory processes.

Click here to play Paddle Shifter

Step 1
First, paddles are presented with numbers on their back.

Step 2
The paddles then flip, and their numbers are not visible anymore. They move around and students need to keep track of where the numbers go.

Step 3
At some point, the paddles stop moving and become part of a math problem. Students must recall the number behind the paddle and solve the math problem.

Roto Cloud is based on a traditional task switching paradigm. In this cognitive flexibility game, students need to frequently switch between the four basic operations.

Click here to play Roto Cloud

Step 1
Students first associate each cloud with one of the four basic operations.

Step 2
Then they switch from one cloud to another one and solve the presented math problem, keeping the hidden math operation in mind.

Step 3
Students keep solving math problems until all the target circles between the clouds are gone and the bubble is free to float upwards.

Number Cup is a working-memory based game. Students need to keep track of number-hiding cups that hold the results of math problems students need to solve.

Click here to play Number Cup

Step 1
Students first memorize a series of numbers that are presented with a distinct cup.

Step 2
The numbers are then hidden.

Step 3
And then trade places.

Step 4
When students then solve math problem, they need to recall under which cup the result is hidden.

Based on the plus/minus task, in this cognitive flexibility-based game students solve a string of math problems but have to strategically switch between the four basic operations.

Click here to play Bead Runner

Step 1
A string of beads is running from left-to-right across the screen.

Step 2
The beads stop in regular intervals and students need to solve the math problem. Also, some beads might be covered up at some point.

Step 3
Importantly, the operations may or may not switch between subsequent math problems.

Based on the self-ordered pointing task, students are asked to select distinct boxes that rearrange themselves after each selection. In-between selections, students need to solve math problems.

Click here to play Chaos Scramble

Step 1
Students are first presented with a set of distinct boxes and they are instructed to select each box only once.

Step 2
However, once a box has been selected, the boxes rearrange themselves, requiring students to keep track of which boxes they already selected.

Step 3
Critically, between selecting boxes, students have to solve math problems.