Please Note:
This workshop is held at the Sigma Xi facility in RTP. Participants staying the whole day are expected to bring a packed lunch. There are no microwaves available for workshop participant use. Pick up is at 4:00pm. Participants that remain after 4:20pm will be charged a $25 dollar fee that will be added to the cost of the workshop. ALL participants must be picked up by 5:00pm when the Sigma Xi facility closes.
Location:
Why do so many people like math? It's true! Many people actually enjoy the beauty of mathematics (besides using it every day in their work and life). Maybe it is because they see some "inner secrets," or perhaps they understand that math is so much more than just rearranging symbols on a piece of paper. This summer, we want to open your eyes to the "secret knowledge" of higher math. Students will engage in problem solving, discussions, brainstorms, and independent and group investigations. We have picked a variety of the most intriguing and fun topics that mathematics can offer. The math that you already know is enough to start understanding these topics. As participants of Math Explorations, you can expect to enjoy new experiences, to become familiar with concepts of higher mathematics, and to see the connections between these concepts and their relations to other areas of life and science and the world around us.
Facilities and equipment: All activities take place at the Sigma Xi offices. When appropriate for the topic, participants use high-speed laptop computers.
Participants will work both in teams and individually in a supervised, highly interactive, hands-on learning environment.
Possible topics:
Prerequisites: Participants should be 6th to 8th graders (or the homeschool equivalent); younger or older students who are interested may also be considered. Most topics only require the knowledge of very basic arithmetic, yet lead to more advanced math. Students should have the desire to participate in the course and to explore mathematics.