Transcript (Original)

Hi, my name is SHO IWANAGA, and I love math. I organize a small event called “Math Mini-Presentations,” where anyone can give a 15-minute talk about anything related to math. The only rule? It has to be about math — and that’s it!
It’s a casual and fun event. Some people talked about how they use math in business. Others introduced their university research or shared how they teach math in class. I’ve learned so much through these personal and creative ideas.
One talk really stayed with me. It was called: “From the Senior Education Front – The Moment When the Eyes of a 94-Year-Old
Sparkled.” Yes, that’s the actual title — and the story was just as powerful.
In that talk, the speaker shared a math class they gave at a nursing home. It had a fun storyline: a thief had stolen a tiara. To catch the thief, the seniors had to solve sequence puzzles to open each door. Like: “What number goes in the box?” Even older adults with memory loss could join, smile, and enjoy math together.
At the end of the class, a 94-year-old woman said this:
“This might be the last math class of my life. And I’m so happy it was this fun.” When I heard that, I was honestly speechless. That one sentence showed the true power of math.
This story reminded me that math is not just about solving problems. It’s about connection. It’s about joy. And it’s something we can all share — no matter our age, language, or background. That’s why I’m here — to tell this story. Because I believe — math is for everyone.