With math camps, tutoring sessions, and all-out game-show competitions, Planet Math have proven numbers to be more than just grades on a report card: they can also be a source of confidence, community support, and real-world growth.
From One Tiny Room to Two Co-Founders on a Mission
For Sergio, Planet Math all started with noticing that too many Bermudian students needed a little extra help with the fundamentals. “I just saw that kids were not getting what they needed. They needed more help; they need some individual assistance,” notes Sergio.
Demand grew quickly, even in cramped quarters, Sergio goes on to explain. “We were in a tiny, I want to say 12 by like 10 or something like that. Very small room … I hired my first two tutors there, and both of them are still with us to this day.”
To turn a local tutoring gig into something bigger, he teamed up with Kevin — a natural collaborator and entrepreneur, who merges corporate experience with a heart for education. In his own words, he describes it as a “love for kids, a love for mathematics, and also a love for business.” The perfect trifecta for a business like Planet Math.
After strategically studying the business operations and tutorial sessions of By The Numbers for about a year, Kevin proposed a bold transformation, which ultimately led to the birth of Planet Math.
“I saw an opportunity to leverage my business acumen to build a social enterprise that truly makes a difference in the lives of young people, fostering both academic skills and a love for learning.” From Tutorials to Camps to Math+A+thons to Quiz shows to financial literacy initiatives, you name it, our mathematical machine has always been a community-driven organization,” says Kevin.
They rebranded as Planet Math and relocated to Hamilton — closer to the island’s center of activity — while retaining that hometown sense of purpose.
Summer Camps: Breaking the ‘Math Is Boring’ Myth
Summer learning loss can set students back, especially in math. Planet Math’s solution? A series of math camps designed to keep young minds engaged. “When school is out, parents need somewhere for their children to go, right?” says Sergio. “We wanted a camp where kids can come here… reduce their summer learning loss… and have a lot of fun.”
Kids spend part of each day on skill-building, then venture out to local caves, beaches, museums, and nature reserves, blending math with real-life explorations. Instead of a dreaded subject, math becomes part of an adventure.
Tutoring That Puts Confidence First
Though the camps make headlines, old-fashioned tutoring is still a crucial part of Planet Math’s success. Their approach puts the student’s self-belief at the heart. “If a student consistently works with a tutor, they always do better,” notes Sergio. “Confidence is key for mathematics.”
Sergio goes on to say he has yet to see a child who doesn’t improve when they persevere. It’s that steady encouragement, plus the reassurance they get from experienced tutors, that solidifies concepts many kids struggle with in the standard classroom setting.
Math-A-Thon: The Game Show for Number Lovers
To spread math mania even further, Planet Math launched the Math-A-Thon: a flash of lights, costumes, and buzzer-beating questions. Kevin drew on his own experiences of having fun with numbers as a kid. “I remember doing fun math contests as a kid… and I think it helped to… refocus my attention and my passion for mathematics from a fun and gaming perspective.”
In each school they visit, the Math-A-Thon team sets up an hour of lively competition, where teachers say the excitement lingers long after Planet Math packs up. Mr. Pitcher believes that once kids actually get excited about math, half the battle’s won. As Sergio puts it: “If you can build up confidence and you can get kids excited about math, that’s half your battle.”
Community Support: The Essential Ingredient
While the co-founders supply the know-how and vision, they freely acknowledge that it takes broader community involvement to keep Planet Math running. Sergio beams with appreciation as he talks about the volunteers who help with a wide variety of tasks ranging from painting to even organization, and local businesses that supply funding. “We do get quite a bit of local support, and it’s very appreciated… We’ve had companies come in… help us paint, help us get things organized, and even provide volunteers.” Ultimately, he notes: “The most important help is always financial.”
One high-impact outcome of that financial support is Planet Math’s bursary program: “This will be the fourth year. Says Sergio. “We raised funds to provide two weeks of math camp for deserving students mathematically and financially. And to date, we’ve helped over 700 students with that bursary program. Nobody knows that they’re a bursary receiver. Everybody comes in as equals.”
Kevin underscores that corporate sponsorships go far beyond balancing the books. “When they invest in our mission, they’re investing in the future of our community… we’re teaching the next generation of leaders.” We are always humbled and so grateful for the resounding support we receive from our sponsors and donors alike. With that said, it would be remiss of us to omit the amazing support and dedication we’ve received from our staff, seasonal workers and volunteers as well. Thanks to all those who have been involved and continue to be involved in building this mathematical behemoth.
Bermuda’s reinsurance and business sectors understand that Planet Math students just might be their future actuaries, data scientists, accountants or engineers.
Mentorship and Real-World Math
Beyond the buzzy events and daily classes, Planet Math offers kids a chance to see how numbers fit into everyday life. As a football coach, Kevin recognizes the value of mentorship — providing role models who can say, “I believe in you.”
He also notes that practical exercises, like budgeting, resonate with families. In one fun activity, Planet Math used real-world applications to assist students in making connections between mathematics and their personal lives, regardless of age, by testing an activity that required students to visit a grocery store with their parents to shop and practice budgeting. The result? Both students and parents noticed a shift in mindset. Students became more conscious of food costs and gained a better understanding of how far their money can go (before reaching the register) based on estimation and rounding techniques.
Meanwhile, Sergio has long seen the power of an ‘I can do it’ moment. “Once a student’s confidence gets bloomed, it’s hard to break that down again. You set small goals, they achieve them, and they realize that they can do it.”
Embracing Technology: AI and the Changing Face of Math
As time marches on, Planet Math looks for ways to integrate new technologies. Sergio sees tech like AI being a tool for good rather than mere shortcutting. “I think educators really need to focus on finding ways to teach students how to use it properly. Not that using ChatGPT is cheating. The world is about to change rapidly.”
Rather than labeling new tools as shortcuts, Mr. Pitcher contends that students need guidance in verifying and analyzing AI outputs — building the critical thinking skills they’ll need in a data-driven world.
Looking Ahead: Local Roots, Global Outlook
Planet Math isn’t stopping with Bermuda. They’re already planning to replicate their model in other communities: “We have a five- to 10-year plan which involves a few international partnerships.” Says Kevin. “Communities around the world face similar challenges in math education. Why not share what we’ve learned?”
Still, their immediate focus remains on the island. The co-founders believe in continuous improvement: new camp activities, extended tutoring hours, and more school visits for the Math-A-Thon.
A Movement Driven by Confidence
Since day one, Planet Math’s secret has always been the same: transform fear of numbers into confidence. Once a kid realizes math isn’t out of reach, it reverberates throughout their lives:
That’s a promise not just for individual kids, but for Bermuda as a whole. Local organizations see the ripple effect — when more students feel empowered, the entire community reaps the benefits.
Closing Words
Planet Math is proof that math can be more than an academic hurdle. In the hands of two driven co-founders, it becomes a rallying point for an entire community—backed by corporate supporters, powered by youth who dare to believe they can do numbers, and then delve into the future by innovative thinking around AI and world-class partnerships. What started in a 12-by-10 room is now a cornerstone of Bermudian education, bridging the gap between classroom theory and real-world success, all while weaving a spirit of giving back into every equation. Lastly, Kevin concluded: “As long as 1+1=3 then you are growing and expanding exponentially with synergetic arithmetic; the whole is greater than the sum of its two parts. As a team you can grow at a faster and stronger rate than if you were doing everything by yourself. And Planet Math’s team isn’t only our colleagues — it’s also our community, stakeholders, donors, sponsors, parents, families, and schools. TEAMWORK makes the DREAMWORK!”
