A cultural twist on math and science through playful exploration
Lotería
As part of the Playful Learning initiative in Santa Ana, the Lotería installation reimagines the traditional game as an interactive learning experience grounded in math and science exploration. Drawing on familiar cultural imagery and gameplay, the installation invites children and caregivers to engage with counting, classification, probability, observation, and comparison through playful prompts embedded in the design.
By connecting culturally meaningful symbols with STEM-based challenges, the project creates an accessible entry point into mathematical reasoning and scientific thinking. The result is a culturally rooted Playful Learning experience that blends heritage, conversation, and hands-on discovery in everyday community spaces.
The Learning Goals
The Lotería installation strengthens STEM content knowledge by connecting mathematical ideas such as counting, pattern recognition, classification, and comparison to culturally familiar imagery and gameplay. As children match symbols and track visual sequences, they explore patterns and relationships in ways that feel meaningful and rooted in tradition.
It also supports critical thinking by encouraging children to observe closely, notice similarities and differences, anticipate outcomes, and explain their reasoning during play. By grounding math learning in a culturally significant format, the installation makes pattern-based thinking accessible, engaging, and community-centered.
The Team
The Lotería installation was created through a collaboration between the City of Santa Ana, University of California, Irvine, Santa Ana Early Learning Initiative, and Playful Learning Landscapes.
Supporters
The Lotería installation was generously supported by the National Science Foundation through the Advancing Informal STEM Learning (AISL) program.
