Our History
Where It All Began
From a Classroom Idea to a Global Learning Movement…The International Math Bee® (IMB) traces its roots back to a fifth-grade classroom in 1982, where a student teacher introduced a baseball-themed math board game to boost students’ speed and accuracy with basic math facts. That simple yet powerful idea sparked the creation of BatterUp®, blending learning with play to make math both effective and enjoyable.
From Desks to Desktops
From Desks to Desktops In 1992, the board game evolved into a DOS-based software program, and by the early 2000s, a Windows version was launched featuring four core math modes—addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. The game quickly became a classroom favorite, and growing demand from educators nationwide paved the way for a larger vision.
The National Math Bee® (2006–2020)
Fueled by BatterUp®’s success, the National Math Bee® (NMB) was established in 2006 as a nonprofit organization committed to academic excellence through friendly competition. For over a decade, students across all 50 states participated in free, standards-aligned online math tournaments, endorsed by educational institutions such as the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. These engaging contests helped thousands of students sharpen their skills while having fun—proving that learning doesn’t have to be boring to be effective.
For the next 14 years, the National Math Bee® served as a beacon of mathematical excellence, continuing to impact students' lives until 2020. It upheld its mission to improve math skills and foster a love for learning.
Going Global: The International Math Bee® (2021–Present)
In 2021, the program took its biggest leap yet with the launch of the International Math Bee®, expanding access to students in over 20 countries. But this wasn’t just about going global—it was a full-scale transformation:
- Completely rebuilt codebase for modern performance
- Mobile-first design for students on smartphones and tablets
- Expanded math content, covering facts up to 100
- Parent and teacher integration for meaningful learning support
The result? A truly global ed-tech platform where students compete, grow, and build confidence—all through the power of math and play.
The Future Unveiled
Introducing BatterUp® 5G: The Future of Math Learning
BatterUp® 5G is the 5th generation of the first-ever, video-based, research-tested math baseball game—and it’s accessible on phones, tablets, and mobile devices worldwide.
It’s not just a game. It’s an immersive, educational tool that empowers:
Students to play and improve their math skills in a fun, low-pressure environment
Parents and teachers to track real-time progress through our exclusive five-level ranking system—classroom, school, state, national, and international
Backed by research, tested in classrooms, and fine-tuned for mobile play, BatterUp® 5G is setting a new standard in game-based learning.
