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Budding math skills to be focus of spring camp
Math Camp
During the 2015 Math Camp at CSU Stanislaus, students will engage in challenging games and puzzles, as well as learn basic arithmetic operations, patterns, shapes, and measurements. - photo by Photo Contributed

Opportunities that allow students to multiply their math expertise never take a break—not even during spring break.

During spring recess, which for Turlock Unified School District is from April 3 to April 10, students in second through fifth grade are invited to participate in a Spring Break Math Camp held at California State University, Stanislaus.

Hosted by the Mathematics Grants Department, the camp is co-sponsored by the California Mathematics Project and the Math and Science Teacher Initiative.

 “The request for a math program for elementary age students stemmed from two groups: the teachers who came to the Central California Mathematics Project  for math professional development institutes and the parents in the university community,” said Viji Sundar, CSU Stanislaus mathematics professor and director of Mathematics Grants.

According to Sundar, the department already has two pre-collegiate Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics programs, including the High School Mathematics Access Program for students in sixth through twelfth grade and the Pre-Freshmen Enrichment Program for students in sixth through ninth grade.

“We had enrichment programs for sixth through twelfth grade, but none for lower grades,” said Sundar. “Additionally, as the CCMP leadership team went to elementary school classrooms to offer assistance to teachers, we realized there is a place for a camp for elementary school kids.”

Over the course of five days, Sundar reports that students can expect games and puzzles that will both engage and challenge them.

A majority of the activities will be hands-on and will focus on basic arithmetic operations, patterns, shapes, and measurement. Students will be taught by teacher candidates at the University, who will be under the supervision of Sundar and Bjrg Jhannsdttir, assistant mathematics professor.

“My goal has always been the same: to help them see that math is and can be fun,” said Sundar. “The goal is to change their attitudes towards math.”

CSU Stanislaus Math Camp for Spring 2015 will be held from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. April 6 through April 10 in the University’s Demergasso-Bava Hall (DBH) #21. For a campus map, visit csustan.edu/campus-maps.

Those interested can register online and submit a payment at commerce.cashnet.com/Math1. The cost for the camp is $50 and includes a T-shirt.

The University is one of three sites conducting this year’s Spring Break Math Camp, as students can also participate at Orville Wright Elementary School and Franklin Elementary School in Modesto. For more information, email mathgrants@csustan.edu, call 667-3780, or visit csustan.edu/math/grants-programs.