ArteMatika is a transformative two-week summer lab at the Goethe-Institut in Lisbon, built on the neuroscience of learning. Guided by Dr. Sara Santos (PhD), a former BBC math presenter, we dismantle the limiting myths that strip the joy from mathematics. We move beyond the 'speed trap' to prioritize deep, critical thinking—the most vital skill for the AI age. Our curriculum deconstructs the 'math brain' myth, teaching students that mathematical ability is grown, not born, by firing new neural pathways through struggle and creative exploration. By engaging the visual cortex through artistic creation, we shift the focus from dry formulas to the beauty of the mathematical process. Students work in collaborative groups to build essential 21st-century skills, using art as a gateway to reopen their minds, connect with their innate creativity, and tackle 'low-floor, high-ceiling' tasks that challenge every level of learner. Central to the experience are our Creative Art Labs, led by professional real-life artists. In these dedicated spaces, students reconnect with their innate creativity, using art as a gateway to reopen their minds and connect with creativity. This immersive two-week journey provides the necessary time for a genuine mindset shift—moving from 'I can’t' to 'I am growing my brain.' By working in groups, students develop the 21st-century skills of communication and collective problem-solving essential for an AI-driven future. Join us at the Goethe-Institut this summer and take advantage of our Early Bird discount, available for all registrations completed by February 27th.
The academic heart of ArteMatika is rooted in Stanford University’s Mindset Mathematics framework, developed by Prof. Jo Boaler. Led by Dr. Sara Santos (PhD), the course moves away from passive memorisation toward active, 'low-floor, high-ceiling' tasks that engage the visual cortex and foster deep mathematical intuition. We work on investigating patterns, generalising patterns, finding multiple representations of the pattern justifying why it works, the need for algebra in doing this, as well as communicating mathematical ideas with rigour whilst being accessible. (IB MYP Criteria B and C; iGCSE Higher-Tier Algebraic Pattern Recognition) We focus on the neuroscience of learning, explicitly teaching students how to grow their brains through struggle, mistake-making, and high-level critical thinking—skills essential for the AI age. Tuition is delivered through collaborative, project-based investigations where students explore deep concepts such as mathematical patterns, proof and learn to ask clarifying questions. By shifting the focus from 'speed' to 'depth,' our academic approach ensures that students don’t just learn formulas, but develop the 21st-century problem-solving mindsets required for future success in STEM and beyond. This two-week immersion provides the necessary time for these new neural pathways to form, resulting in a permanent shift in mathematical confidence.
The extracurricular heart of ArteMatika lies in our immersive Art Labs, led by professional real-life artists. In these dedicated creative spaces, students step away from traditional academic structures to reconnect with their innate creativity and intuition. Through hands-on projects—ranging from ceramics, to crochet, via story telling and painting —students explore the visual beauty of patterns in a relaxed, studio-style environment. Beyond the studio, the program utilizes the vibrant, safe, and culturally rich setting of the Goethe-Institut in Lisbon. Students engage in collaborative group challenges and social activities designed to build 21st-century soft skills such as communication, empathy, and collective problem-solving. These extracurricular sessions provide the essential 'downtime' needed for neural consolidation, ensuring that every student finishes the day feeling inspired, connected, and creatively refreshed.
No accommodation provided.
Summer Courses Guide
