A widely used math program that replaces language-heavy instructions with visual, interactive puzzles has received national industry recognition. ST Math, developed by MIND Education, was named the "Math Learning Solution of the Year" in the 2026 EdTech Breakthrough Awards. The award highlights a growing interest among educators in teaching spatial-temporal reasoning before introducing abstract math symbols.
What Happened
The edtech platform ST Math was awarded the Math Learning Solution of the Year in July 2026. This recognition comes on the heels of new data illustrating the program's real-world impact. A large-scale statewide Texas evaluation published in June 2026 tracked 28,310 elementary students who completed at least 1,000 puzzles on the platform. The researchers found that these students achieved a +16.4 scale-score point advantage in mean growth on the state's STAAR Math assessment compared to a matched control group of 1.49 million non-users.
Students using the program also had a +4.3 percentage-point advantage in reaching the "Meets or Masters" proficiency standards. However, parents and school administrators evaluating these results should note a potential bias: the authors of the Texas study are employees of the MIND Research Institute, the organization that develops and sells ST Math.
The Bigger Picture
While vendor-funded research requires a critical eye, independent studies support the core science behind visual and digital math instruction. For instance, a randomized controlled trial published in ZDM – Mathematics Education discovered that digital, simulation-based exploration significantly outperforms paper-based learning. The researchers found that interacting with digital simulations increased a student's intrinsic motivation, which directly predicted their posttest math achievements.
The link between spatial training and mathematical ability is backed by decades of developmental science. A longitudinal study tracking 16,338 children from age 5 to age 17 proved that spatial construction skills at age 5 directly predicted mathematics reasoning skills at age 17. Visuospatial working memory acts as a bridge throughout a child's academic development.
The relationship between math and spatial comprehension is also reciprocal. In a study comparing children with varying mathematical reasoning levels, researchers found that strong mathematical reasoning improved children's comprehension of micro-scale spatial terms. This suggests that spatial skills and mathematical reasoning grow together, feeding into one another over time. As we previously reported, school systems are increasingly turning to software that simplifies complex teaching tasks while proving measurable student gains.
What This Means for Families
For parents, this research should be a reassuring sign that children do not need to memorize abstract, text-heavy math rules to become mathematically literate. By stripping away text-heavy instructions, visual math tools help level the playing field. In the Texas study, researchers noted consistent, equitable positive effects across all demographic categories, showing that the program successfully supported English Language Learners (ELL) and special education students.
By using spatial-temporal puzzles first, students can build an intuitive, conceptual understanding of math before encountering formal symbols or word problems. This approach reduces frustration and math anxiety, converting intimidating abstract concepts into tangible, visual problems.
What You Can Do
- Incorporate spatial toys at home: Since early spatial construction skills predict long-term math success, encourage your child to play with puzzles, blocks, and construction sets.
- Inquire about visual interventions: Ask your child's teacher or school administration what digital tools they use for math. If they use ST Math, find out if your child has hit the benchmark of completing at least 1,000 puzzles, which the Texas study identified as the implementation threshold for significant gains.
- Prioritize active digital simulations: When choosing educational software for home use, select programs that allow kids to actively manipulate objects on screen rather than programs that rely on passive videos or multiple-choice flashcards.