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Mission and Area of Focus

Summer Programs


- 2003

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Summary for 2003 Summer Program for Gifted and High Ability Students

The Center for Mathematical Services offered two programs for gifted and high-achieving secondary students from Brevard, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, and Pinellascounties during the summer of 2003. The program involved 103 students.

Description of Programs

  1. Mathamatics and Science Summer Program - This program (the 25th annual edition) was designed for gifted/high-achieving students from grades eight through ten and had afirst-year and a second-year component. The 59 students received instruction in HTML and JavaScript computer programming, basic foundations of mathematics, astronomy, and environmental issues.
  2. Mathematics and Engineering Program - This program (the 25th annual edition) was designed for 10th, 11th and 12th grade gifted and high-achieving high school students. It had 35 first-year and 9 second-year participants. The students were instructed in number theory, computational linear algebra, C++ computer programming, and engineering science. Second-year students received instruction in linear algebra and Maple programming and committed their afternoon to the Science Lab Program by working in the research labs of select faculty from chemistry, civil engineering, computer engineering, industrial and management systems engineering, mathematics, or physics.


Core Goals for Both Programs

  1. To increase the knowledge and conceptual understanding of high ability students in the areas of mathematics, physical and life sciences, engineering, and computer science.
  2. To help the students develop analytical thinking skills.
  3. To help the students develop creative thinking and problem solving skills.
  4. To excite the minds and spirits of young high ability students to pursue further study in areas of mathematics, science, engineering, and computer science.
  5. To educate students regarding careers in mathematics, science, and computer science.


Duration

Five weeks in the Summer of 2003 beginning on June 5. Each day from 9:00 AM until 3:00 PM.

Staffing

Faculty and Graduate Assistants from the Departments of Biology, Chemistry, and Mathematics were the primary instructors for the programs. Other faculty and graduate assistants from the Colleges of Arts and Sciences and Engineering served in the programs as mentors for students and as lab assistants. The programs were administered by the Center for Mathematical Services at USF.

Programs Statistics

(Figures Represent Students Completing the Program)

Category
Grade Level
8th
9th
10th
11th
12th
First-Year Participants
27
10
24
10
3
Second-Year Participants
18
2
6
3
Total Participants
27
28
26
16
6
Male
10
11
14
11
6
Female
17
17
12
5
Hillsborough
24
22
21
13
5
Pasco
2
4
1
3
Pinellas
1
4
Manatee
2
Brevard
1


Evaluation of the Programs

Evaluations of the programs were accomplished by pre-tests and post-tests and by a Program Evaluation Questionnaire given to all students at the end of the programs. The questionnaire sought input as to whether the goals and the objectives of the programs were accomplished. The results of the tests and the questionnaires were very positive and indicate that all three programs were successful.

Funding for the Programs

The programs are funded by a grant from the Academy of Applied Science. Additionally, funding from the Institute for Biomolecular Science and the College of Arts and Sciences was received. The Departments of Biology and Mathematics, the Colleges of Arts and Sciences, and the University of South Florida provided laboratory space, computer labs, classrooms, recreational facilities, books, and other items.

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Center for Mathematical Services, 4202 E. Fowler Avenue, PHY 114, Tampa, FL 33620 -- (813) 974-4068
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Direct questions or comments about the Web site to denise@cas.usf.edu
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Last updated February 27, 2007

URL: http://www.math.usf.edu/community/center.php