This fun class provides an interactive exploration of Maya mythology. At the same time, it offers an entertaining challenge which will help the student develop flexibility in mathematical thinking.

The Mesoamerican ballgame might have been the first team sport ever played 3,000 years ago. It represented the battle between the forces of light and darkness, a concept central to Maya civilization.  

Students will listen to the story of the Hero Twins who descend to the Underworld (Xibalbá) to play a fateful ballgame. They are confronted with many obstacles and pulled into the deceits of the Lords of the Underworld. To escape the Underworld, students will complete an Escape Room by solving Maya Math problems.

Students will learn about the intricate caves and water holes (cenotes) of the Mesoamerican region which were viewed as windows to the Underworld. They will learn Mayan numbers up to 40 and understand how the notation represents a vigesimal (base 20) positional numeral system.

*** SIBLINGS CAN ENROLL AND RECEIVE A 25% DISCOUNT ***

PLEASE NOTE:
The stories will make mention of death and rebirth/transformation in the context of the cyclical transition of day and night. Students will follow a link and work independently on Google Forms to solve the Escape Room. There will be no breakout rooms. 

The preceding class “The Story of Chocolate” introduced the Maya number system. In this class, they will learn the Maya numerals from 20 to 40. If students are comfortable with the concept of place value and can assimilate a new mathematical concept in a short time, they are welcome to enroll in this class without having taken the prerequisite course.