[2] The professors in the Department of Mathematics of IME-USP (Institute of Mathematics and Statistics of the University of São Paulo) who initiated the project were Deborah Raphael, Eduardo Colli, and Sônia Garcia; Artur Simões Rozestraten from the Laboratory for Models and Tests (LAME) in the Department of Architectural Technology of the FAU-USP ( Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism of the University of São Paulo) partners with the IME.

In August 2002 the French itinerant exhibition of the Cité des sciences et de I'industrie, visited IME, causing in some teachers the desire of building a collection with the purpose of divulging to students of the exact area mathematical contents that are not covered in graduation courses.

Matemateca's debut took place during the First Week of Graduation of the Institute of Mathematics and Statistics of the University of São Paulo (IME).

The project began to aim at the popularization of mathematics, giving preference to interactive objects that could be approached by means of direct challenges to the visitor.

Due to a lack of space at USP for continuous exhibition, the collection is stored and is presented when and where the opportunity arises, in itinerant fashion.