The DRANREF Foundation
The Abacus Project is the signature program of The DRANREF Foundation (TDF), a 501(c)3 non-profit organization whose mission is to advance STEM and entrepreneurial education in under resourced areas. View more information on their Member Feature Page.
Winter Programs
A
sterisk (*) indicates synchronous engagement available.
DIY Abacus Making for Kids Workshop *
The Abacus Project invites students to explore Asian culture through the world’s oldest calculator. Students compare and contrast designs, then build their own abacus using colorful beads and craft sticks. Through hands-on learning, students uncover the ancient number system and watch their calculations come to life through strategic bead movement. This activity helps develop concentration, fosters creativity, sound reasoning and original thinking – all integral to the artistic process. DIY abacus making kits are provided at no cost and shipped to the school location.
Content Areas: World Languages/Global Studies, Math, Arts
Discipline: Visual Arts, Hands-On/Lab/Tactile
Resource Type: Other Interactive Distance Learning Activity/ Online or Printable Resource
Learning Standards:
National Core Arts Standards
- Anchor Standard 1: Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work.
- Anchor Standard 11: Relate artistic ideas and works with societal, cultural and historical context to deepen understanding.
Common Core Math Standards:
- CCSS.MATH.PRACTICE.MP1 Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them.
- CCSS.MATH.PRACTICE.MP2 Reason abstractly and quantitatively.
- CCSS.MATH.PRACTICE.MP7 Look for and make use of structure.
Grades: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th
Length: 60 minutes
Accessibility Measures: Adjustable Volume, Large Font Print
This program/resource is accommodating of students with learning/developmental disabilities.
