Learning arithmetic in school is seen as a progression from the world of the concrete to the world of the abstract. In contrast, at UCMAS, and using the abacus, the conceptual work is reinforced through a multi-sensory process that stimulates both senses: sight, hearing and touch.

Through mental calculation, and using the abacus as a learning tool, students learn to use the 34 UCMAS formulas in different arithmetic operations on the abacus. Later, using their imagination, students will learn to perform the same operations without the physical abacus as when they have it at hand.

At UCMAS, we teach our students to touch the numbers and, hence, we get more and more complete stimulation of the cerebral cortex. Arithmetic abacus exercises go beyond abstraction and contribute to a broader intellectual development, which positively affects creativity, imagination, memory and concentration ability of our students.

UCMAS is a modern representation of the ancient art of mental arithmetic. This concept has its origins in China and its adaptation has led to a unique program, aimed at children aged 5 to 13 years, which helps them to stimulate brain activity.

Learning this unique and innovative program is based on introducing the abacus as a game, this way we turn each session into a playing time. These games include:

Abilities are promoted in a natural and motivating way, so we subtly lead our students to explore new problem solving techniques. When they play, they lower their level of anxiety, communication flows, the interest grows and concentration is improved.

UCMAS help prevent school failure, ensuring academic success when accessing to secondary school and ensuring lifelong learning throughout life:

- Students are encouraged to foster communication and good relations, performing group tasks.

- Their interests are awaken, considering the functionality of the activity in nearby 
and close situations.

- They are constantly urged to take new mistakes as moments for learning.

Students will improve in the different academic areas and therefore motivation accompanies them throughout the development of the program and it will continue over the course of his entire school years.

- Speed and accuracy in arithmetic operations

- Focus and Attention

- Ability to listen

- Ability to observe

- Visual memory and spatial orientation

- Imagination and creativity

- Analytical skills

- Autonomy

- Learning to learn

- Self-confidence

Visible results

The UCMAS program was born in Malaysia in 1993, and its founder is Dr. Dino Wong. His adaptation of the traditional use of the abacus results in a unique program that helps stimulate brain activity of children. It is now taught in more than 5,000 schools over 49 countries across Europe, North America, Africa and Asia. More than one million students get the benefits from the UCMAS program.

UCMAS is set in Spain in 2008, and from then on, it responds to the demand for training on alternative educational models to prevent school failure.

The UCMAS program is marketed through a network of franchises and meets the requirements of ISO 9001 – 2008. It is member of the World Association of Mental Arithmetic with abacus (Waama for its acronym in English) and is accredited by entities such as The National Association for the Education of Young Children, USA, The Chinese Zhusuan Association, China and Member ACEI.

The UCMAS program is offered in more than 200 schools in Spain by two possible ways:

- As an extracurricular activity,

- As implemented in the school’s curriculum.

Moreover, it is also offered as an extracurricular activity in private academies and other authorized UCMAS centers.

Currently, more than 10,000 students are enrolled in the program in some of the best schools in our country.