Just because school is out for the summer, it doesn’t mean that the learning has to stop for local students. For the sixth straight year, the Stanislaus State Mathematics Grants department is hosting two camps in the coming weeks focused on keeping junior high and high school students’ math skills in tip-top shape.
The first of the two camps, the Geometry Camp, is designed to introduce students to geometry and lay a foundation for success in the subject. Students will be utilizing traditional construction tools along with technology to explore geometry basics that include geometric shapes, angles, constructing polygons and more.
The Algebra Camp will be held the following week and is designed to give students an understanding of algebraic concepts using algebra tiles, algebra balance, learning wraps and more. At the camp, not only will students be using papers and pencils, but also technology to graph functions, evaluate equations, explore transformations and plot coordinate points and tables of data.
“We are trying to teach them how to use technology and Common Core together,” said Director of Mathematics Grants Dr. Viji Sundar. “Students are often overwhelmed when they go back to school, and when they come to these five day camps, it wakes up their interest and helps them to see and understand what their teacher is talking about.”
According to Sundar, the students will be provided with Amazon Fire tablets to help them visualize and graph each math problem they encounter. The camps will be taught by local math teachers, including one high school instructor and one junior high school instructor. Also assisting in the teaching will be mathematics undergraduate students.
“They’ve been taught to teach the concepts in a way that the students can understand,” said Sundar. “We want to empower the kids and awaken their willpower and love for math.”
The Geometry Camp will be held from 9 a.m. to noon, July 18 through 22. The Algebra Camp will be held from 9 a.m. to noon, July 25 through 29. The cost for each camp, which includes supplies, is $50 if paid by July 8 for the Geometry Camp and July 15 for the Algebra Camp. The cost is $75 if paid after those dates. Both camps will be held at Stanislaus State, though the room where instruction will take place is still to be determined. Both camps are also open to students in grades 7-9. To register, visit commerce.cashnet.com/math1.
