National Math Stars

National Math Stars

Why We Exist

Math fuels innovation and progress. It enables us to expand the frontiers of science and technology and to solve the world’s biggest challenges.

The next generation of innovators will come from the students who show extraordinary mathematical talent today.

Yet far too many of those students never receive the support they need to reach their potential. The United States has no system to universally identify extraordinary mathematical ability. Even when talented children are recognized, schools and families often lack the resources to nurture their gifts and help them pursue their passions.

National Math Stars is changing that. 

We build a pathway for every exceptional young math student to be identified, celebrated, and supported. Through our three programs—Awards, Pathfinder, and Voyager—we ensure that extraordinary students from all communities have the resources they need to reach the frontiers of math and science.

What does it mean to expand the frontiers of math, science and technology?

Terence

Tao

Professor and mathematician. Acclaimed as the “Mozart of mathematics.” Important contributor to number theory, harmonic analysis, and more. Winner of the Fields Medal and MacArthur Fellowship

Katalin

Karikó

Biochemist and 2023 Nobel Prize winner. RNA researcher and inventor whose technology was used to develop COVID-19 vaccines. Biotech startup founder and CEO

Shirley Ann

Jackson

Theoretical physics researcher and former president of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Former AT&T Bell Labs researcher on semiconductor theory. First African-American woman PhD graduate from MIT

Fei-Fei

Li

Stanford professor and artificial intelligence researcher whose ImageNet dataset spurred the rapid advance of computer vision technology. Founder of the non-profit AI4ALL

Jose

Hernandez

Electrical engineer and former NASA astronaut. Co-developer of the first full-field digital mammography imaging system, helping detect breast cancer earlier. Subject of the 2023 film "A Million Miles Away"

What sets us apart

  • We start young

    We find students in 2nd and 3rd grade, while performance gaps are smaller and we have time for longitudinal support

  • We screen broadly

    To find extraordinary talent in all communities, we use school- and state-based outreach approaches that are universal, scalable, and efficient

  • We are highly selective

    We work with students who show early signs of 1-in-1000 math talent, and we tailor our programs to meet our Stars at that level

  • We invest heavily

    We provide long-term, wrap-around support to fully unlock the STEM enrichment ecosystem for Stars

Parenting is so challenging when you have a child with potential. Many times, it feels like we’re hitting the wall. That is exactly what NMS has changed in my life. I feel like I’m not alone.

National Math Stars Parent

Are you a school?

If you’re a school or district who wants to partner with us to find and support your Stars, please join our Math Awards Program.