Ms. Hayes found herself on an unexpected hiatus recently due to injuries from a fall, so she decided to make good use of her time. I got to the point where I had a handicap with my elbow and it just made sense to get this thing down," said Ms. Hayes. "I started thinking about the whole issue of math literacy."

Ms. Hayes taught special needs students of all ages and disabilities for 30 years. She said that many of her students were tactile learners, frustrated with paper and pencil tasks.

"The kids who are tactile learners, who learn by doing, they'd be at their desks and would be very frustrated because this wasn't their style," said Ms. Hayes. "I'd see these (kids) getting more and more frustrated, and having behavior problems."

Teaching advanced math to students who haven't mastered the basics is frustrating for both the student and the teacher. "When I was in the middle school in Wareham, I say kids hiding while counting on their fingers," said Ms. Hayes. "I did this paper drawing of hands and I taught them how to use their own hands to get the information."

Ms. Hayes sought the help of the Advanced Technology and Manufacturing Center in Fall River. At the center, staff electrical engineer Bernie Nolan and his interns, Adam Carvalho and Chris Yafrate, helped develop the prototype for MathMitTens. The UMass School of Education suggested that the best way to fund the initial development of the project was through a Small Business and Innovative Research Grant.

Ms. Hayes is learning about the application process and documenting research that backs up the effectiveness of her techniques. At the same time, she is looking for manufacturers in the area who might be interested in producing her invention.

"We've got to help kids with the modality they learn the best in, and really do multi sensory education," said Ms. Hayes. She is also considering an electronic version of MathMitTens.

"I want to get these mitts produced and other tools, so they can look at them on the bus and on the playground. I'm trying to get math out of schools, because you actually learn it all around."