More Than Just Numbers: How Aviation SHS uses Mathspace to change the narrative

At Aviation State High School in Brisbane, Australia, maths isn’t just about solving equations—it’s about helping every student build confidence and believe they can succeed. The team is changing the narrative around maths by focusing on student engagement, resilience, and growth. With the support of Mathspace, they’re creating a classroom culture where all students feel seen, supported, and capable.

👉 Watch the video: Hear from the team about how Mathspace is enhancing numeracy in their classrooms.

A flexible and inclusive teaching approach

The Aviation SHS maths team takes a student-centred approach to learning. They adapt teaching to suit diverse needs, creating opportunities for every learner—from high-achieving students to those who have struggled with maths in the past.

"Our priority is giving students at all levels the opportunity to succeed. It's about starting from where they are, not where we expect them to be."

Mathspace plays a key role in enabling this differentiation. Teachers can assign targeted practice based on real-time data and use insights from skills check-ins to guide their planning. Beginning teachers are also empowered with clear content guidance and support to preempt student misconceptions.

Blending digital and print for reliable access

Aviation SHS uses a hybrid model that combines digital learning with printed textbooks. This ensures students can keep learning regardless of device availability. Mathspace’s tight integration between print and online versions helps maintain a seamless learning experience.

"Coming back in with the hard copy textbooks for... when devices happen to just not work... is a brilliant way of having all that content there. The link between the online and the print book... is spectacular"

Encouraging persistence and progress

A core focus at Aviation SHS is helping students develop a growth mindset in maths. Mathspace supports this by providing step-by-step guidance, instant feedback, and tailored prompts through Milo AI. Students are encouraged to keep trying—even if it takes multiple attempts—to reach the correct solution.

"You can watch students go from confusion to understanding over several attempts. The look on their face when they get it right—that's what it's all about."

Leveraging features, like class leaderboards and streaks, has sparked healthy competition and made learning more engaging. For some students, this has been the turning point—from feeling like they couldn’t do maths, to feeling proud of their progress.

Stories of belief and belonging

Using Mathspace in this way has made it possible for students to stay engaged and feel successful, even in challenging circumstances:

• A student undergoing long-term hospital treatment continued her maths learning from home, maintaining her passion for STEM.
• Students who had never experienced success in maths before are now thriving and excited about the subject.
• Milo AI helps students stay focused, redirecting off-topic questions and building understanding one step at a time.

Changing the maths narrative

At its core, Aviation SHS’s approach is about belief: belief in their students, and helping students believe in themselves. Mathspace gives teachers the tools to support this mission—offering real-time data, adaptive content, and engaging features that bring maths to life.

"No matter what our kids do, no matter where they go, they're going to need some form of numeracy. It’s the language of the universe. "

With Mathspace in their toolkit, Aviation SHS is proving that maths can be more than just numbers. It can be a space where every student feels challenged, supported, and capable of success.