Mathworks Now Accepting Applications For 2014 Summer Programs

 

Mathworks at Texas State University is now accepting applications for its 2014 summer math programs.  Students may apply now online at www.txstate.edu/mathworks

 

Texas State's acclaimed math programs engage students of all backgrounds to learn mathematics by doing mathematics.  The programs include the Junior Summer Math Camps (JSMC) and the Honors Summer Math Camp (HSMC).  Students develop their critical and creative thinking abilities by exploring ideas, discovering numerical properties, and sharing their work with others.  Mathworks encourages all students to apply as early as possible to be considered for a need-based camp scholarship.  Program descriptions are listed below.

 

This program for 4th-8th-grade students is held in partnership with San Marcos CISD, and will be held at San Marcos High School.  This two-week day camp introduces students to algebraic concepts through hands-on activities and guided discovery learning.  Levels 1 - 5 will be offered at the San Marcos location.   All interested SMCSID students are encouraged to apply now to be considered for a camp scholarship.  Sabrina, a 7th grader from San Marcos, had this to say about the program, "Math Camp has expanded my knowledge in algebra and other mathematical ideas.  I have been here for three years and each year I have done better in my next grade because I have attended Mathworks."  

 

Half-day JSMC in Round Rock, June 9 - 20In its second year, this program is held on the Texas State Round Rock campus to serve the Austin community.  Levels 1 - 4 of the half-day program will be offered at the Round Rock location.  See more about this program here, Half-Day Junior Summer Math Camp (Grades 4 - 8)

This residential program gives select 6th-8t6th-8th-gradents the opportunity to live on the Texas State campus for two entire weeks.  The residential JSMC provides higher-level challenges, from advanced word problems to probability to geometry.  As part of the program, Mathworks trains a team of four students to compete in the international Primary Math World Contest (PMWC) in Hong Kong in July.  In the summer of 2013, the Mathworks team won first place overall in the PWMC, besting more than 40 other teams from across the world.  

 

In its 25th year, the flagship HSMC program recruits 60 high school students from across the state, and nation, for an immersive and in-depth experience in doing mathematical proofs.  Students develop their reasoning and logic skills, and nurture their teamwork and collaboration abilities.  The program inspires, nurtures, and motivates students to pursue future degrees and careers in the STEM fields.  Returning students in the program have the opportunity to conduct original math and science research under the mentorship of university faculty.  The research conducted in this program has garnered national recognition for the university, including in the Siemens Competition.  Texas State has helped to produce the most Siemens Competition regional finalists in the entire state of Texas. In 2013, Mathworks launched an entrepreneurship component within the HSMC program, with the help of McCoy College professor Jim Bell.  Students had the opportunity to pitch their business ideas to local business leaders, including Ingram ReadyMix President Earl Ingram, who noted, "The HSMC at Texas State University is a learning environment that surpasses any precollege program that I have ever seen...Mathworks is a true win-win for young students and Texas State University."

 

Support for Mathworks programs comes from foundations, corporations, alumni, and other visionary individuals.  The Kodosky Foundation and KLE Foundation have pledged match challenges for the Mathworks endowment, which helps to support program scholarships.