TOYBOX in Italy and Spain, 2026

In late June/early July, the TOYBOX team travelled to two conferences in Europe where researchers Sheri Skwarchuk and Paulette Trémorin, along with students Madison Young and Tegwen Bryan, presented the project’s latest research. The team attended the Mathematics and Learning Society (MCLS) conference in Padua Italy, and then the EDULearn conference in Palma, Spain. Both conferences focused on different topics, so there were a lot of new things to learn!

The first conference examined numeracy research, and we were able to share the intervention work we have been completing in centres with prominent numeracy researchers. Their comments were to keep going to ensure programming is suitable and evidence-based. They also commented that intervention work is difficult as it requires so much intense time directly with children. We talked to numeracy research colleagues from Hong Kong, Ireland, Scotland, England, France, Chile, USA, and gained perspective on the kinds of work people are doing with children this year. TOYBOX handed out the “Fun with Food” activity and a box of Canadian Smarties to support the work.

The EDULearn conference was different because it focused on educational technology, such as AI. The team presented TOYBOX as a free evidenced-based digital reference with quick, easy activities for caregivers at their fingertips. We also talked to researchers who were using AI as a tool to support classroom enhancements, we participated in team building workshops and learned about ways to use AI in university classrooms, as well as the learning benefits. Sheri enjoyed moderating a session with other researchers, and since the conference, two follow-up calls have been scheduled. One with a researcher from Hong Kong who uses abacuses (a tool with rows of sliding beads) to teach math and one with an educator interested in applying TOYBOX activities in Belgium.

Sheri’s Reflection

For these experiences, aside from meeting interesting people and gaining knowledge, I learned how to work with my team to support agendas and interests. A main goal was re-connecting to researchers around the world doing similar work and following up with their ideas about next steps (ordering of tasks, scaffolding of content for families, and teacher training).

Thank you to our full team of travellers (left to right: Tegwen, Katie, Paulette, Madison, Francis, Maggy, Sheri) for your patience and energy! It was an adventure-filled trip!