A Summer Math Camp is a unique opportunity for interested and talented students to improve their math skills during summer time where students are guided and trained by utilizing national and international competitions in a fun and challenging environment. In addition to intensive lectures and problem solving hours, the camp also consists of many educational, fun, and entertaining activities, field trips, and social events.
Math Camp allow students to experience mathematics as never before - through games, projects, experiments and other fun activities. These camps provide an enriching experience for students who have interest in and an aptitude for mathematics. Advanced math concepts are presented in a manner that is challenging and enjoyable. The instructors at such camps often include experienced professors and mathematics teachers. Math Camps encourage interest and aptitude in mathematics and highlight the role of mathematics in everyday life.
During the school year, many students would like to learn more about the areas of mathematics that they are studying in the school. In the Math camp, students will attend lectures about topics in mathematics from experts in the field. They will also work individually or in groups on projects that will further their understanding of the topic. In addition, there are team competitions, and fun and games with mathematics. Students will also be exposed to advanced subjects that they won't see in school. They will meet students from other schools who are also fascinated by math. They will get to know professors on a one-on-one basis. And, most of all, they will have fun!
BDU Math Camp
Bahir Dar University is offering summer Math Camp program for mathematically interested and talented students from grade seven to eleven. The program is designed for students who will be entering their junior or senior year in high school and who have an interest in enriching their mathematics education. The camp will take place in the main campus of Bahir Dar University and stays for two weeks.
So the aim of BDU Math Camp is to make it a real fun and pressure-free place. It is not merely a 'Math teaching' session, but a training program that will include computer programming computer graphics, physical exercises, socialize and leadership development, etc. Students will be housed in a dormitory. Students participate in recreational activities (at the dorms, athletic fields).
The nature of the Camp
Learning at the camp will be a combination of lectures, tutorials, workshops, experiments, field trips and visiting historical places.
The students will be equipped with necessary background in lectures and trained with different types of problems to master various problem solving techniques. The classes are problem solving-based whose curriculum is aligned with national and international competitions. They provide a motivational and challenging environment for students. Lectures are given by instructors who have participation and/or training experience in such programs.
Purpose of the BDU Math Camp
The purpose of the BDU Math Camp is to:
- enable mathematically gifted students to pursue knowledge in a subject they enjoy, in an environment that encourages and fosters such pursuits. Selected participants will gain knowledge and skills, emphasizing problem solving. The camp will afford participants a chance to meet and make friends with fellow Math Camp students, who enjoy and value the pursuit of higher learning.
- allow students to experience math as never before- through games, projects, experiments, and other fun activities. The camps also highlight the role that math plays in everyday life.
- arouse the curiosity of students and encourage a deep personal involvement with the creative elements of mathematics and science due to the camps' problem-solving sessions and contests. At the same time, the camp can also foster interaction between campers and the larger community of research mathematicians and scientists working in academia and industry.
- allows school teachers to experience new teaching- learning skills with regard to interactive game based teaching and fun way of learning.
- allows school teachers to share experience with other school teachers, university instructors and other international scholars.
- help young mathematicians delve into their love of math, coding and related pursuits. It may also help students who may require tutoring help.
- provide students with an interest in mathematics with a unique and unforgettable experience. Students who attend the camps leave with new friends, new ideas, and a new outlook on mathematics.
Objectives of the BDU Math Camp:
Objectives of BDU Maths Camp are to:
- bring mathematically talented and motivated school students from all around the Amhara Region for a time of serious mathematical pursuit.
- provide access to advanced topics in mathematics and computer in a way that is both fun and appealing.
- lead students through topics of great significance in the historical development of mathematics, including topics important to current lines of mathematical research and those with applications in the sciences.
- provide a friendly social environment for friendly interaction between participants, camp instructors and students.
Participation Information
Grades 7 to 11 students, from both governmental and private schools in Bahir Dar are included.
- Participants must stay full week.
- Parents should acknowledge the selection of their children.
- The number of participant students will be limited to 60.
- Transport, Lodging, and Food will be covered by Bahir Dar University.
Time and Location
The camp will be held in Bahir Dar University, where rooms and meals will be provided. The camp site has adequate space with break-out areas to separate students by age groups or activities. The area will be free of hazards, such as outdated electrical systems, broken windows and dangerous playground equipment. There will be adequate exit options in the event of an emergency evacuation and adequate ventilation. There will be always an adult on-site trained in First Aid. Since Kids need physical activity and fresh air in the summer, there will be ample space for physical activities.
The camp will be held at beginning July for eight days. The university will arrange transportation system for participants’ travel to and from the university and field trips. During transporting students, all vehicles will be in good repair and safe and we will inform Parents about when their children are being transported and by what mode. Parents should be informed of all field trips. The program will commence at 8 AM on Sunday and terminate after a week at 4 PM on Sunday.
Activities:
Summer is a time to maintain and enhance learning, using traditional and non-traditional approaches. Because youth learn in different ways, diverse approaches to summer learning environments are important. FUN is a priority for summer. Learning should be “hands-on” and should not feel like school.
It is important that a range of age-appropriate and engaging learning activities are offered that focus on the transmission of specific skills. Appropriate learning objectives will be set for each child, and learning materials will be high quality, engaging and interactive. The physical environment should promote creative thinking and expression and be set up differently than a traditional classroom.
Many projects that give opportunities to organize, solve problems, think creatively, research, or manage time, teach campers vital skills for school success. Programs that help kids eat healthier, engage in fitness habits, and reduce stress can greatly impact learning and good mental health.
There are many ways to design a fun, engaging, and effective summer camp that builds academic skills. With an intentional and proactive approach, it is often possible to take a daily creative or physical activity and make it a summer learning experience.
Since the participant students are a variety of age groups, we will have adequate break out space to divide them for age appropriate activities. The majority of the participant students will be teenagers, so we need a strong program to attract and retain them. We will Include FUN educational enrichment activities which are age-appropriate activities so that we can make sure the math camp program doesn’t feel like school. We will provide plenty of opportunities for physical activities. We will develop a system of meaningful rewards for positive behavior and accomplishments. Educational/Entertaining field trips will be arranged to places in and around Bahir Dar.
In the BDU Maths Camp, activities are carefully selected, and we have different types of activities that contribute to student improvement: Some are:
1. Strategy, board, and math oriented games (puzzles, theories, graphical quizzes) to improve analytical reasoning, visual perception, and logical deduction
- Help students to think out of the box by using various heuristic methods and problem solving skills.
- Develop ‘speed’ in solving mathematics problem.
- The groups who excelled in solving each mathematics quiz were rewarded with small gifts.
2. Computer related training and competitions
- Learning software utilization
- Computer program development and graphics
3. Math and science oriented team competitions
4. Movies or speeches that are educational, instructional and motivating
Educational film shows to enhance the spirit of the students.
5. Outdoor sports and activities to improve the team spirit
6. Entertainment
- Singing and other talents of the students were encouraged during the leisure periods.
- Lively music to entertain students.
Expected outcomes
We expect the students that participate in the BDU Maths Camp to experience mathematics in a unique atmosphere without external pressure, but lots of encouragement and play, to gain or strengthen their interest in the camp disciplines, to gain self-confidence and make new friends who are in a similar situation. They will learn research as well as life skills from experienced and inspiring instructors, and gain information and perspectives on career options from their engagement with role model mentors. The ultimate test of success will be the statistics of how many students will be inspired enough to take up studies in the physical sciences, mathematics, engineering and information technology at the university level after this camp. To collect these data we plan to stay in close contact with the participants through the local organizers.
