Program Descriptions

Grades 4-5 (M-FACTs)
Grades 5-6 (PRIME)
- Prime Plus

Grades 6-7 (YES)
Grades 5-7 (UMTYMP Opportunity)

Mathematics: Fun Activities and Challenging Topics (M-FACTs)

For students in grades 4-5 in fall 2008 - $125
Explore fifth-grade concepts by looking at them as part of a broader system. For example, see how fractions are used in the design of gears, how the law of large numbers applies probability to real world statistics, and explore mathematics through art and nature.

Workshops

Islamic and Optical Art
October 18, 2008, 9:30 a.m. - noon
Extend the use of straight lines and geometric patterns to create the special visual effects typical of optical art. Discover the mathematics and reasoning used by Islamic artists to express their religious beliefs through art and architecture.

Gear Up for the Future
November 15, 2008, 9:30 a.m. - noon
Use fractions, proportions, and the theories of motion, force, and speed to explore real-world applications and see how gears turn the world. Learn related terminology, create gear-ratio models, and analyze the patterns they create.

Chopped Up Numbers
February 7, 2009, 9:30 a.m. - noon
Explore the world of fractions! Discover why the rules you are taught about fractions are true. Discover patterns within fractions and learn how to add an infinite number of fractions. Play card games to practice manipulating fractions and make number sentences.

Law of Large Numbers and Prediction
March 14, 2009, 9:30 a.m. - noon
Explore the relationship between calculated probabilities and actual data. Why do we need to use averages to measure probabilities in experiments, and how accurately can we measure probability from samples of data? Learn how to distinguish random noise from underlying patterns in data.

Professions & Recreations: Intermediate Mathematics Enrichment (PRIME)

For students in grades 5-6 in fall 2008 - $125
Find a new perspective on sixth-grade math concepts. Explore spherical geometry by looking at world navigation, how mathematics plays a part in political elections, and study geometry by folding paper.

Workshops

Making Your Vote Count
October 18, 2008, 9:30 a.m. - noon
Just in time for the national presidential election, learn why our voting system - which is used to choose everybody from our country's president to your school council is flawed. What methods could we use? Are any of them better?

Spherical Journeys
November 15, 2008, 9:30 a.m. - noon
Discover a new geometry that holds many surprises as you begin to investigate journeys around the world. Examine how light, shape, and space influence mapmaking and orienteering. Shatter many of the assumptions of Euclidean geometry that you study in school.

Origami-Touchable Geometry
February 7, 2009, 9:30 a.m. - noon
Visualize geometric concepts by creating geometric shapes using origami-folding sequences. Challenge your problem-solving skills by connecting basic geometric shapes to create as many different polyhedra models as possible.

Celebration of Pi
March 14, 2009, 9:30 a.m. - noon
Pi is a mathematical constant equal to the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter. Amazingly this ratio is the same for any circle. Because circles are everywhere in our world, pi has become one of the most important mathematical constants. Celebrate Pi day with us as we discuss its several uses in mathematics and physics.

PRIME Plus – a Special opportunity for PRIME Students - $75
Students enrolled in PRIME will get a reduced rate for the last two sessions of the Young Emerging Scholars program.
UMTYMP Exam Preparation – Problem Solving – February 21, 2009
Early UMTYMP Algebra Qualifying Exam – March 7, 2009

Young Emerging Scholars (YES)

For students in grades 6-7 in fall 2008 - $175
Participate in interactive workshops and labs focused on a variety of 7th-grade mathematical topics that go beyond the classroom. Hone your problem-solving skills in preparation for the UMTYMP Algebra Qualifying Exam and then take the actual exam before it is offered to the general population.

Workshops

Topology & Knot Theory
October 25, 2008, 9:30 a.m. - noon
Explore a world where squares, circles, and triangles are all considered the same kind of object; where stretching and twisting do not change their mathematical nature. Determine if a closed loop is knotted or not, and attempt to construct different types of knots. Use the mathematics of knots and knot theory to untie your preconceptions about ‘inside,’ ‘outside,’ and ‘boundaries.’

Directions in Space
November 22, 2008, 9:30 a.m. - noon
Vectors are a special system of arithmetic for objects with more than one dimension. Play games such as Vector Golf as you learn about the properties of vectors and how they model real world situations such as decomposing motion.

Prisoner's Dilemma & Game Theory
January 24, 2009, 9:30 a.m. - noon
The Prisoner's Dilemma game uses the mathematics of conflict and cooperation known as "game Theory." In order to 'win' and solve the challenges it presents, strategic thinking is essential. Learn how thinking mathematically will free your imagination. Related puzzles and brainteasers will also be explored.

UMTYMP Exam Preparation - Problem Solving
February 21, 2009, 9:30 a.m. - noon
Investigate how the focus of math is not only about memorizing algorithms and performing computations, but also about understanding abstract ideas and thinking analytically. Explore mathematics through brainteasers and puzzles. Sharpen your test-taking skills through simulations that are excellent preparation for the UMTYMP Algebra Qualifying Exam.

Early UMTYMP Algebra Qualifying Exam
March 7, 2009, 9:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Continuing Education & Conference Center, St. Paul campus
Grab this exclusive opportunity to take the UMTYMP Algebra Qualifying Exam early! Students who take the exam and qualify will be invited to join UMTYMP; students who do not qualify will know before the regularly scheduled April UMTYMP Qualifying Exams. They will then have the opportunity to register for this exam for a fee of $55.00.

Note: Exam registration materials for the March 8th exam will be mailed to enrolled YES students in early February. STUDENTS MUST COMPLETE THESE EXAM REGISTRATION FORMS. There is no additional charge for this registration process.

UMTYMP opportunity

For students currently in grades 5-7 ($120)

In December/January, students in grades 5-7 may register for this program and participate in the following two Saturday morning academic-year events.

Events

Early UMTYMP Algebra Qualifying Exam
March 7, 2009, 9:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Continuing Education & Conference Center, St. Paul campus
Grab this exclusive opportunity to take the UMTYMP Algebra Qualifying Exam early! Exam registration materials will be mailed to enrolled students in February. STUDENTS MUST COMPLETE THESE EXAM REGISTRATION FORMS. There is no additional charge for this registration process. Students who qualify will be invited to join UMTYMP; students who do not qualify will know before the April UMTYMP Qualifying Exam. They will then have the opportunity to register for this exam for a fee of $55.00.

Please note: Students already enrolled in the YES program are signed up for the UMTYMP Exam Preparation Workshop and will receive registration materials for the Early UMTYMP Algebra Qualifying Exam in February. YES students should NOT register for the UMTYMP Opportunity.