What do polygons sound like? What rhythms do different fractions make? The unique music tools in Polypad provide a whole new dimension for students and teachers to interact with mathematics.
By translating the most common mathematical representations into audio, this free digital math playground from Amplify Education opens a new path to teaching geometry, algebra, probability, and statistics to middle school and high school students.
Using rhythm, pitch, volume, and timbre, sound can provide intuitive ways to understand a wide range of mathematical concepts such as rates, ratios, proportionality, and geometric relationships. Polypad lets students compose their own beats, melodies, loops, and full songs, entirely out of math manipulatives. They can share their songs with friends and family, while developing their sense of themselves as mathematical (and musical) thinkers.
The tools also expand access for blind, sight-challenged, dyslexic, or otherwise neurologically atypical students who are unable to connect to a purely visual form of math instruction and can benefit from a multisensory approach.
Requiring no login or installation, Polypad runs on all devices and browsers, and provides an extensive set of predesigned puzzles and activities, as well as more than 50 lessons about music and math, covering topics such as angles, area, perimeter, rates and ratios, factors and multiples, fractions, algebra, and word problems. These resources are completely free and appropriate for a wide range of student ages.
Plus: By using math manipulatives to compose their own beats and songs, students can think deeply about mathematical concepts while applying their creativity to something they feel personally connected to. From stunning geometric artwork to original musical compositions, students are invited to showcase their most innovative creations in the Polypad Art and Music Contest. Submissions will be reviewed across age groups. Five winning entries in each age group per category will earn a $50 gift card. Entrants can submit multiple entries but can win only one prize. The deadline for submissions is May 6, 2026. Winners will be announced on June 3, 2026.