Camp Descriptions
Elementary Camps
Math Explorers (Grades 1-2)
"Grow young learners' knowledge and love of all things mathematical..."
This camp has been offered since 2015 and will be taught by Karen Bonnell.
Instructor: Karen Bonnell
Intended for: Students entering grade 1-2
Dates:
For rising first graders: June 17-21th, 9 am - noon OR June 24-30, 9am - noon OR
For rising second graders who have not participated before: June 17-21, 1pm-4pm
This camp is designed for our youngest thinkers, students entering first or second grade. This camp will be a smaller group, structured with age-appropriate explorations, including lots of games and hands-on activities. Topics covered will include symmetry, number sense, patterns, and reasoning. We will use books, manipulatives, and challenging puzzles to stretch and grow young learners' knowledge and love of all things mathematical! We will incorporate active movement and snack time as well.
This camp has been offered since 2015. Both morning sessions will be identical sessions for rising first graders; the afternoon session will be geared toward rising second graders and will assume familiarity with standard first grade math curriculum.
Students attending should... be comfortable with the standard Kg mathematics curriculum, including counting to 100 and understanding the relationship between numbers and quantities.
Geometry (Grades 2-4)
"'Play' with the relationship between two-dimensional and three-dimensional shapes..."
This camp has been offered since 2016 and will be taught by Julie Haskell.
Instructor: Julie Haskell
Intended for: Grades 2-3
Dates: (Morning sessions will be geared toward rising 2nd and 3rd graders; afternoon sessions will be geared toward rising 3rd and 4th graders who have NOT done Geometry camp before)
June 17-21, 9am-noon OR
June 17-21, 1 pm - 4 pm
June 24-28, 9am-noon OR
June 24-28, 1 pm - 4 pm
In this camp, students will “play” with the relationship between two-dimensional and three-dimensional shapes. Students will strengthen their vocabulary and understanding of shapes and spatial relationships through small group explorations, center-based learning, and whole group discussions and projects. Students will use many fun and unique materials to construct their own three-dimensional figures. Students will also play a variety of games that enhance their logic and reasoning skills with geometry and number sense.
Students attending should... be comfortable with the second grade mathematics curriculum and be able to name basic two-dimensional and three-dimensional shapes and understand the difference between two and three-dimensional objects.
See also: Spatial Training Boosts Math Skills
From Zero to Infinity (Grades 4-6)
Instructor: Lisa Armstrong
Intended Grades: 4-6
Dates: June 17th-21st (9am -noon OR 1-4pm)
In this camp, students will explore big numbers with an emphasis on understanding magnitudes. We will visit Spartan Stadium to estimate the number of blades of grass, pop popcorn to estimate the number of kernels which would fill the classroom, and estimate a variety of interesting “big numbers”. We will also play a variety of games to strengthen our math muscles!!
Students attending should... be comfortable with the fourth grade mathematics curriculum including making estimations and beginning multiplication, and have strong number sense.
This camp has been offered since 2013.
Mathematical Sculptors
Instructor: Miguel R. Mejía
Intended Dates/Grades:
June 17-21, 1-4pm, grades 6-8
June 24-28, 9am-noon, grades 5-7
This camp is devoted to exploring the beauty of mathematics through three-dimensional geometry. Students will learn by making, assuming the role of mathematical sculptors. We will use tools such as Polydrons, Zome tools with bubbles, Sonobe Origami, and String art to study the relationships between three dimensional shapes and their three-dimensional components. Students will also gain other important skills like working in groups, explaining their reasoning, and communicating ideas. In the end, participants will present their creations in a mathematical-artistic exhibition.
What a student should know to be prepared: Students are expected to understand concepts of area and volume, arithmetic operations (+, -, *, /), and be able to manipulate measurement tools like rulers and protractors.