How to Make Math Less Intimidating & More Relevant for Students ft. Eli Luberoff | Lessons Learned | Ep 12

Lessons Learned

How can we make math more accessible, engaging, and future-focused?

“When someone’s asking, ‘Hey, when am I gonna use this math?’ you can be like, ‘Have you ever played a video game? Because they used math to make that video game'. And not only did they use math—they used Desmos to do this. They use the exact same tool that we're using today.” -Eli Luberoff

In this episode of Lessons Learned, host Matt sits down with Eli Luberoff, founder and CEO of Desmos Studio, to explore how one of the most widely used math education tools in the world is transforming the way students learn.

Eli shares his journey from aspiring physics professor to pioneering edtech entrepreneur, reflecting on the “happy accidents” that led to Desmos becoming a platform used by over 75 million learners. At the heart of his story is a commitment to making math less intimidating, more joyful, and deeply relevant to students’ futures.

Together, we explore key topics such as:

• Why removing barriers to entry is critical to fostering a love of math
• How Desmos is democratizing access by offering a free, modern alternative to outdated tools
  The importance of connecting math lessons to real-world applications and career opportunities
• How technology can empower—not replace—educators in the classroom

Connect with our guest:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eluberoff/
• Website: https://www.desmos.com/

Ways to tune in:

• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4bzi3DLY1fCuBknsxWySw6
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/lessons-learned/id1714296987
• Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/c715776e-3d77-4a8b-806b-207e01b861af
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@betterlesson4313