The JASU team learned to develop mathematical exhibits and create travelling exhibitions in collaboration with the German company IMAGINARY. This work was carried out as part of the international project “Supporting Science Engagement in Mathematics in Ukraine”, implemented by Ecsite, the European Network of Science Centres and Museums, with support from the Simons Foundation and Simons Foundation International(USA).

The need to develop in-house expertise did not arise by chance. Since the beginning of russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, JASU has been implementing a programme to establish regional science museums. Today, in addition to Kyiv, such spaces are already operating in Chernivtsi, Poltava, and Lutsk. These projects were also made possible with the support of Ecsite, Simons Foundation, and Simons Foundation International.

Each new museum requires a carefully designed exhibition that aligns with Ukrainian educational programmes, addresses the learning needs of children and the methodological needs of educators, and is capable of operating fully in wartime conditions. Ready-made exhibit designs often had to be adapted — in terms of content, methodology, or technical requirements.

Learning to Create Independently

What previously required adapting ready-made solutions now had to be thought through independently — from figuring out how to turn a mathematical idea into an intuitive interaction to determining what kind of construction would withstand repeated use.

Around 50 staff members of the JASU were involved in the project, including researchers, designers, engineers, procurement specialists, technical specialists, and explainers. Developing the exhibits required constant collaboration among professionals from different fields: scientific accuracy had to be combined with intuitive use, design with functionality, and creative ideas with the realities of production.

The project was implemented during a period of regular russian attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure and the resulting power outages. Despite the unstable power supply, the team continued to produce and test the exhibits, adapting the production process to the circumstances.

“The project brought together specialists from different departments, with diverse professional backgrounds and areas of expertise. This interdisciplinary collaboration allowed us to combine a wide range of knowledge and perspectives, which was key to our success. For the first time, our team learned how to produce our own exhibits. As we work to open science museums in different parts of Ukraine, it is extremely important to be able to create exhibits ourselves,” says Vasyl Dunets, Acting Director of the National Centre “Junior Academy of Sciences of Ukraine” and project coordinator.

Not to Explain, but to Let Visitors Explore

While developing their first original museum exhibits, the team followed the principle that it is important not only to explain a mathematical concept, but also to give visitors the opportunity to explore it through hands-on interaction. That is why each of the 13 exhibits in the MATH OUT OF THE BOX exhibition is built around a specific task.

The exhibition covers several areas of mathematics, from geometry and functions to spatial modelling and measurement. Some of the exhibits help visitors understand mathematical concepts through hands-on interaction: “Area Transformation” demonstrates the logic behind deriving the formula for the area of a trapezoid; “Polyhedrons and Their Nets” explores the relationship between a three-dimensional solid and its two-dimensional representation; and the “Parabolic Calculator” demonstrates the connection between geometric construction and calculations.

Some of the exhibits demonstrate the connection between mathematics, physical processes, and visual modelling. In particular, “See the Music: Physics of Sound” allows visitors to explore how vibrations produce sound, while “The Formulas of Beauty” uses the SURFER software to visualise mathematical equations as three-dimensional surfaces.

Partnership That Builds Capacity

The first stage of the project took place at the Ecsite 2025 Conference, held in Warsaw on 3–5 June, 2025. Through the project, 15 Ukrainian JASU professionals attended the conference. Ahead of it, they took part in a four-hour hands-on workshop on engaging audiences with mathematics, led by specialists from IMAGINARY and TRACES. JASU also presented its work at a stand in the conference exhibition space.

The next stage involved hands-on training with IMAGINARY. Specialists from the JASU travelled to Berlin twice. In autumn 2025, the team worked on the exhibition concept and learned from the experience of Futurium and the Spectrum Science Center. In winter 2026, they returned with their own designs and ideas, ready to develop them further with their partners and move on to production.

“It is very rare to experience a collaboration that is so human, professional, challenging, and rewarding at the same time! Co-creating Math out of the box pushed us to learn, grow and create together. It was joint learning at its best — and we hope to build on it, share these experiences, and continue this exciting collaboration. Thank you!” – said Dr. Andreas Daniel Matt, Managing Director of IMAGINARY gGmbH.

Ecsite coordinated the partnership, while the Simons Foundation and Simons Foundation International provided financial support for the project. Thanks to this collaborative approach, the team at the JASU was not given ready-made solutions, but instead learned how to develop them independently.

“This traveling exhibition sparked curiosity about the wonders of math in thousands of Ukrainian children,” says Simons Foundation President David Spergel. “It’s important now more than ever that we inspire the next generation of great Ukrainian researchers.”

"Supporting the development of science engagement professionals is at the heart of what Ecsite stands for — and that commitment matters more than ever for colleagues working under the shadow of war. Welcoming the Junior Academy on Science in Ukraine to the Ecsite 2025 Conference was a chance to put that into practice — through sessions, informal exchange, and a dedicated workshop on science engagement approaches. Seeing JASU's team build new skills in exhibit development and mathematics engagement, ready to bring them back to the citizens of Ukraine, is exactly the kind of experience-sharing our network exists for." – said Catherine Franche, Executive Director of Ecsite.

Developing the exhibits independently made it possible to take into account from the outset the requirements arising from working in the conditions of a full-scale war. The exhibition was designed as a mobile one — suitable for frequent relocation, quick assembly, and use in different spaces. This shaped a range of practical solutions, from the weight and durability of the structures to the size of the transport cases, fastening methods, and the ability to set up the exhibition in safe spaces, including shelters.

“The knowledge and practical skills acquired by the JASU team through this project will provide a foundation for the development of the science museum network, the establishment of the National Centre for Aviation and Space Technologies, and new initiatives to engage children in science across Ukraine. We are sincerely grateful to the Simons Foundation, Simons Foundation International, Ecsite, and IMAGINARY for their trust, expertise, and support. We highly value this partnership and the lasting impact its results will have for Ukrainian children,” says Stanislav Dovgyi, President of the Junior Academy of Sciences of Ukraine.

The Team’s Experience Opens Up New Opportunities

For the JASU, this marks a fundamentally new level of independence in developing its museum programme. The team now has the practical experience needed to create interactive exhibits and further develop this area in Ukraine.

The skills and expertise acquired through the project will provide a foundation for future projects. By February 2027, the “CUBOID” Mathematics Museum plans to create a set of three interactive exhibits on financial literacy. In the future, the team will also work on an outdoor exhibition as part of a planned science park.