National Math Festival to Offer Dozens of Free Events in D.C.

Mathematicians are planning to hold the first National Math Festival on the National Mall in April.

Organizers are announcing plans Thursday for the festival to be held April 18 in several Smithsonian museums, gardens and galleries.

The festival will include more than 40 performances, interactive exhibits, lectures and activities for all ages. Organizers say highlights will include a "Math Midway'' of interactive exhibits, a demonstration of the math behind the popular game "Minecraft,'' a play session of "Gracie & Friends'' learning apps for preschoolers and discussions about math-inspired art, careers and programs.

There will also be a new national book prize for math-related books written for young people.

The festival is organized by the California-based Mathematical Sciences Research Institute and the Princeton, New Jersey-based Institute for Advanced Study.