--- title: Increased Student Motivation Leads to Better Math Performance description: Utilizing innovative and engaging instructional methods, Gulfport School District inspired enthusiasm and provided deeper learning with ST Math. image: https://2024.mindresearch.org/hubfs/social-suggested-images/MS_Gulfport_Kids%20%26%20JiJi_2016.jpg --- [![](https://2024.mindresearch.org/hs-fs/hubfs/MIND-logo-2018.jpg?width=1701&height=623&name=MIND-logo-2018.jpg)](http://www.mindresearch.org/) [![mind logo](https://2024.mindresearch.org/hubfs/graphics/logos/MIND-logos-color2.svg)](https://www.mindeducation.org/) [![mind white logo](https://2024.mindresearch.org/hubfs/graphics/logos/MIND-logos-white2.svg)](https://www.mindeducation.org/) - [Our Approach](https://2024.mindresearch.org/our-approach) - [Why MIND?](https://2024.mindresearch.org/why-math-education) - [Our Research](https://2024.mindresearch.org/our-research) - [Our Patents](https://2024.mindresearch.org/patents) - [Our Impact](https://2024.mindresearch.org/impact) - [Our Partners](https://2024.mindresearch.org/partners) - [Partner Stories](https://2024.mindresearch.org/partner-stories) - Our Programs - [ST Math](http://www.stmath.com/) - [InsightMath](http://www.insightmath.com/) - [MathMINDs](https://www.mindresearch.org/mathminds) - [Life at MIND](https://2024.mindresearch.org/careers) - Resources - [Blog](https://2024.mindresearch.org/blog) - [Math Discourse](https://2024.mindresearch.org/puzzletalks) - [Podcast](https://2024.mindresearch.org/edtech-podcast) - [News](https://2024.mindresearch.org/news) - [Activities](https://2024.mindresearch.org/stem-resources) - [Donate](https://store.mindresearch.org/pages/donate) **Student privacy****:** learn more about our commitment to keeping students safe [Read More](https://www.mindresearch.org/privacy-policy) ![MIND-on-Math_Blog-Header-5](https://2024.mindresearch.org/hs-fs/hubfs/graphics/headers/_blog-headers/MIND-on-Math_Blog-Header-5.png?width=2000&height=667&name=MIND-on-Math_Blog-Header-5.png "MIND-on-Math_Blog-Header-5") Category Community Teaching & Learning Technology & Games Research & Outcomes Neuroscience Celebrations & Successes [![Subscribe](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/237516/a35fb57d-2960-4554-a0f3-e7bb5946fc70.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/237516/a35fb57d-2960-4554-a0f3-e7bb5946fc70) [Teaching & Learning](https://2024.mindresearch.org/blog/topic/teaching-learning) # Increased Student Motivation Leads to Better Math Performance By [Heera Kang](https://2024.mindresearch.org/blog/author/heera-kang) - - - - - [mailto:?subject=Increased%20Student%20Motivation%20Leads%20to%20Better%20Math%20Performance&body=Increased%20Student%20Motivation%20Leads%20to%20Better%20Math%20Performance%20https://2024.mindresearch.org/blog/gulfport-profile](mailto:?subject=Increased%20Student%20Motivation%20Leads%20to%20Better%20Math%20Performance&body=Increased%20Student%20Motivation%20Leads%20to%20Better%20Math%20Performance%20https://2024.mindresearch.org/blog/gulfport-profile) - How do you measure the positive effects of [student engagement](https://www.stmath.com/student-engagement) and [motivation for learning](https://2024.mindresearch.org/blog/how-to-motivate-students-st-math)? For this diverse, coastal school district in Mississippi, student engagement has made all the difference, particularly in math.    ![ms-gulfport-kids-blog-header](https://2024.mindresearch.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog/Headers/ms-gulfport-kids-blog-header.jpg?width=600&name=ms-gulfport-kids-blog-header.jpg) *Gulfport SD students posing with JiJi, the lovable penguin from ST Math.* In response to changing state standards, Gulfport School District knew they needed to bring a deeper level of conceptual understanding and critical thinking into their math classrooms. Their unique method involved the ST Math [visual learning games](https://www.stmath.com).  > *"We're really impressed by how engaged the students are ... students challenge themselves, set their own goals and push themselves to the next level."* > —Lea Bellon, Director of Instructional Programs, Gulfport School District Gulfport saw what student engagement could do. Their [students performed 15.5% better in reaching the top levels of math proficiency](https://www.stmath.com/profiles/gulfport), as compared to other students not using ST Math (taken from a three-year study including all elementary schools in the district). Click below to learn more about how Gulfport School District helped students get excited about mathematical problem solving. [![Read Full Story](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/237516/a04397b2-b7ff-43d8-9a56-a7d199d66c19.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/237516/a04397b2-b7ff-43d8-9a56-a7d199d66c19) Interested in learning more about ST Math? [![Play ST Math Games](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/237516/682ffa26-23bb-4b3e-80f3-33716e05bafb.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/237516/682ffa26-23bb-4b3e-80f3-33716e05bafb) ![Heera Kang](https://2024.mindresearch.org/hubfs/Blog/Authors/heera-kang-headshot.jpg) ### About the Author Heera Kang was Manager of Engagement Content and Design at MIND Research Institute. Productive struggle, growth mindset and equity in education are some of her favorite topics. ### Comment #### [What the Perception-Action Cycle Tells Us About How the Brain Learns](https://2024.mindresearch.org/blog/perception-action-cycle) [Dynamically Active Engagement: Rethinking Student Engagement](https://2024.mindresearch.org/blog/active-engagement-students) ### Search Result By: ![feature image](https://2024.mindresearch.org/hubfs/Blog/Images/Inside-our-Minds-logo-teal-800x800.png) [Featured Podcast](https://2024.mindresearch.org/blog/topic/featured-podcast) ### [Rethinking Attendance in Edtech](https://2024.mindresearch.org/blog/rethinking-attendance-in-edtech) [Listen Now](https://2024.mindresearch.org/blog/rethinking-attendance-in-edtech) ##### LATEST PODCAST EPISODES ###### BY MIND RESEARCH INSTITUTE - [Rethinking Attendance in Edtech](https://2024.mindresearch.org/blog/rethinking-attendance-in-edtech) - [People, Process, and Penguins: Designing Math Experiences](https://2024.mindresearch.org/blog/people-process-penguins) - [Bridging STEM Gaps with STEMconnector CEO Jo Webber](https://2024.mindresearch.org/blog/bridging-stem-gaps-with-stemconnector-ceo-jo-webber) - [The EdTech Genome Project: Talking Implementation with Elizabeth Birie](https://2024.mindresearch.org/blog/edtech-genome-project) - [From Meeting the Moment to Foundational Change](https://2024.mindresearch.org/blog/from-meeting-the-moment-to-foundational-change) ##### [See all podcasts](https://www.mindresearch.org/edtech-podcast) ## Interested in Contributing? 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