Joyful Math Worldwide · Ellen Kulinsky
Joyful Math Worldwide brings olympiad-level problem solving and joyful, rigorous math experiences to K–12 students (ages 5–18) and their teachers — with a special focus on countries where access to advanced mathematics is still limited.
Instead of telling me what to see, you showed me where to look. You never revealed the answer — you questioned us, pushed us to think harder. You didn’t stuff us with knowledge or tell us to memorize formulas. You explained why things work. Because of you, I’ve learned that “why?” is so much more important than following whatever the teacher says. I honestly think you are one of the best teachers ever.
Kiana
6th Grade Student
Mission
All over the world, there are students who love hard problems and are ready for far more than their classrooms can offer. Many of them live in places where olympiad training, math circles, and advanced programs are only just beginning — and where their teachers have rarely had the chance to experience mathematics as creative, joyful, and collaborative themselves.
Mathematics can be playful, creative, and fun. Like trying to beat a difficult level in a video game, humans naturally want to be pushed to their limits — when they believe success is possible. The strongest mathematical cultures see joy and challenge not as opposites, but as qualities that go hand-in-hand.
Programs like Art of Problem Solving and math circles show what’s possible when joy and challenge work together — but that experience is still out of reach for most students in the world. Our mission is to close that gap: bringing the same caliber of advanced math training, olympiad preparation, and teacher development to the places where it’s needed most.
We believe that when teachers themselves experience joyful mathematics, they transform not only their classrooms, but entire communities.
The best learning environment is one where teachers love to teach, and students love to learn.
What We Do
Olympiad preparation and advanced problem solving for students, and hands-on workshops and mentorship for their teachers — plus talent identification and student selection for olympiad programs. Online and in person.
K–12 students (ages 5–18), teachers & olympiad programs
Explore training →
Hands-on growth support for in-person math schools and learning centers — parent consultations, instructor training, marketing advisory, and enrollment strategy, from a former Art of Problem Solving center leader.
K–12 learning centers in the U.S. & internationally
Explore consulting →
Where Access Is Limited
In countries where olympiad training and advanced math programs are only beginning, Ellen brings this same training and support to students, teachers, and schools as a volunteer. Donations make that work possible.
What makes a teacher more effective than AI? It isn’t information — it’s human enthusiasm.
Track Record
Built on years of leading some of the world’s most influential math programs — across every K–12 grade level and up to the highest levels of competition mathematics.
Where We’ve Had Impact
United States · Rwanda · Uganda · Tanzania · Malawi · South Africa · Zimbabwe · Botswana · Eswatini — add your country to the list.
Contact
Don’t see a time that works? Email ellen@joyfulmathworldwide.com.
Responses within 2 business days.
Play With Us
Give these a try. You can share them with your friends. No calculators allowed! Think you found the fastest method? Most importantly: do you know why your method works?
Problem 01 · Elegant Arithmetic
You may be thinking — but how are these possible without a calculator? Hint: do you always have to go left to right?
Problem 02 · A Growing Pattern
How many circles would be in the 100th triangle? What if we asked for the circles in triangle n? What is the general strategy?
Problem 03 · Circles in a Square
Four equal circles tangent to one another, fit inside a square. A smaller square sits tangent to all four circles. If the large square has side length 4, what is the area of the small one?
There is always more than one path from point A to point B. Mathematics becomes more meaningful when students explore ideas collaboratively — trading strategies, debating approaches, and discovering their favorite path.