Our Mission:
Authenticimatics exists to transform mathematics learning into a meaningful, human experience that builds critical thinkers. We partner with students and educators to use mathematics as a tool for exploring real-world problems, so learners no longer ask, “When will I ever use this?” and instead see mathematics as a way to understand, question, and shape the world around them.
I’m Dr. Margaret Borden, a certified mathematics teacher with three degrees in mathematics education from NC State University (Ph.D., M.S., and B.S.). I have worked with students, teachers, and curriculum with a consistent goal: making mathematics learning authentic, enjoyable, and accessible for all learners.
The Authencimatics Story:
Throughout my career, I have seen how the demands of our world are evolving beyond mathematics as procedural computation and toward mathematics as a tool for critical thinking and problem solving. Many of the most pressing challenges we face cannot be solved by following a set of steps or relying on a computer or AI alone. Mathematics offers a way to bring structure to complex, ambiguous problems and begin making sense of them. This understanding is what led to the creation of Authenticimatics. At Authenticimatics, we engage students and educators in using mathematics for deep thinking about real-world problems. We believe all people are math people, and that every space can benefit from meaningful mathematical thinking.
The experiences offered through Authenticimatics are inspired by my work on the Design & Pitch Challenges in STEM team, my classroom practice centered on mathematical project-based learning, and my experiences as a Park Scholar and Park Selection Committee Member. Participants are empowered to pursue their own ideas, connect with others doing related work, and learn how to mathematize their situations for more powerful problem solving. Along the way, they discover how mathematics lives beyond the classroom in entrepreneurship, scholarship, service, leadership, and outdoor learning.
Behind the Logo: The Authenticimatics logo features a photograph of a river view captured during an adventure the founder, Dr. Margaret Borden, shared with her sister. This image reflects the spirit of Authenticimatics as an invitation into a mathematical adventure. Rivers symbolize journeys, exploration, and forward movement, much like the process of working through complex problems. Designing and creating entrepreneurial solutions is not a linear path, but an evolving journey, and the river represents the curiosity, persistence, and sense-making that guide learners along the way.
