Transcript for the Math Jam "AwesomeMath" on May 9.

Math Jam hosted by zman (Zuming Feng ).

nsato (19:27:05)
Welcome to tonight's AwesomeMath Math Jam.

nsato (19:27:14)
Before I turn the floor over to our moderators for this discussion, I would like to briefly explain our classroom to those who have not previously attended one of our Math Jams.

nsato (19:27:22)
This classroom is moderated. This means that the messages you type will come to the moderators rather than going directly into the room. The moderators will choose some of the messages and questions to share with all of the participants.

nsato (19:27:33)
There will likely be a lot of questions, so please keep your questions on-topic and to-the-point.

nsato (19:28:20)
Tonight we are joined by Zuming Feng. He is the Academic Director of Awesome Math, as well as a former US IMO team leader and coach.

nsato (19:28:27)
I'll now turn things over to Zuming.

zman (19:28:32)
Hi, everyone.

Rikimaru (19:29:13)
hello

nsato (19:29:39)
Does anybody have any questions about Awesome Math?

nsato (19:32:16)
How many of you have applied to Awesome Math?

zman (19:32:52)
AwesomeMath is an initiative in response to numerous requests coming from the parents and the teachers of bright students who have not yet shined at the Olympiad level. These students are nevertheless very talented, wishing to improve their problem solving skills and further their mathematics education in general. This program offers mathematically gifted students the opportunity to engage in meaningful problem solving activities and explore in detail areas in advanced mathematics. The high quality instruction is provided by renowned lecturers and Olympiad coaches.

robinhe (19:33:10)
can middle schoolers go?

zman (19:33:58)
Yes. 7,8,9,10 graders will be the main group of students, with special considerations for younger/older students.

robinhe (19:33:47)
since it's olympiad level

zman (19:35:12)
We prepare students to reach that level in a few years. We don't require everyone to enter at this level. Most of the camp students will be young students with moderate problem solving skills. We develop their skills and deep interest for higher-level math competitions.

Calculus (19:33:10)
How can we prepare for camp?

zman (19:36:59)
Academically, you should be ready to face challenges. Socially, you should be ready to work and live with others. The most important part of our camp is our great student leaders.

jli (19:33:58)
how many students will be there?

zman (19:37:28)
About 80. We can go as far as 100+.

Calculus (19:38:16)
What is the girl/boy ratio?

zman (19:38:41)
We expect that about 25% - 35% of camp participants will be females.

Rikimaru (19:38:54)
where and when is it?

zman (19:39:38)
The 2006 AMSP will be held at the University of Texas at Dallas, July 18 - August 7. The University is conveniently located on the outskirts of Dallas, 30 minutes from DFW International Airport. For more information about the university please visit http://www.utdallas.edu.

zman (19:40:05)
For other general questions, you can visit http://www.awesomemath.org/campfaq.html#finances.

robinhe (19:40:01)
has the deadline already passed?

zman (19:40:35)
The third and final admissions test is due around May 15. You still have time.

jli (19:41:11)
is there an actual solution for number 10 on test B besides guess and check?

zman (19:41:53)
Yes. The answer will be posted soon. We always want to help students explore better approaches.

zman (19:43:31)
If you are involved in Mathcounts, AMC, ARML, then our camp is really a great opportunity to further your interest in math and problem solving.

Calculus (19:44:00)
How will we know camp won't be too difficult for us?

zman (19:45:08)
We have different levels and very experienced teachers, mentors and assistants, which allows us to adjust the level of difficulty depending on the students. We invite faculty and staff members who are masters of all levels of math competitions.

zman (19:45:38)
And at the camp, we will adjust students' placements promptly.

mathclass (19:45:51)
Can we choose who we want to share a room with?

zman (19:46:50)
We will consider your request seriously, for academic and social reasons, but we cannot make any guarentees.

karlota_2 (19:45:58)
where and when is the camp being held? sorry, I might have missed this info earlier...

zman (19:48:22)
The 2006 AMSP will be held at the University of Texas at Dallas, July 18 - August 7. The University is conveniently located on the outskirts of Dallas, 30 minutes from DFW International Airport. For more information about the university please visit http://www.utdallas.edu.

PI-Dimension (19:50:09)
why is it so silent

jli (19:50:47)
are we allowed to bring a labtop?

zman (19:51:22)
We recommend not, because we do not want people playing games.

zman (19:51:47)
We structure our camp around academic work and lots of outdoor games.

zman (19:52:00)
Computers are available at the camp, if needed.

zman (19:52:21)
In each room unit, one mentor or assistant will definitely have their own laptops.

gljirain (19:51:31)
Is there any scholarship or fee reduction ?

zman (19:53:19)
We give some scholarships to Mathcounts, ARML, and they will distribute those scholarships. Scholarships are very limited, because this is the first year of the camp. But siblings do get a discount.

zman (19:53:32)
Early applications also get discount, but this already passed.

robinhe (19:52:31)
so there is recreation and sports etc.?

zman (19:54:03)
Frisbee, basketball, swimming, soccer, capture the flag, lots of fun things!

zman (19:54:24)
We also have a day to visit museums and maybe theme park.

YellowMarker161 (19:54:46)
is there a tentative schedule?

zman (19:55:43)
Yes, see ""typical daily schedule"" in http://www.awesomemath.org/brochure.pdf.

jli (19:55:02)
is there any time to practice music?

zman (19:56:39)
Yes, of course. This is great. Based on student needs, we will find appropriate facilities. It's on a university campus, so things are very easy to access.

mathclass (19:55:05)
would we be allowed to go on, for example, a daily morning jog or something?

zman (19:57:27)
Yes, we have great runners as assistants. Maria Monks and Sara Sheehan (two wonderful cross-country runners) will be happy to run with you.

robinhe (19:56:26)
do we have to fly there buy ourselves or will you guys organize something
also, is the flight already paid for of no?

zman (19:58:45)
We will pick you up from/drop you off at the airport (either Dallas-Fort Worth or Love Fields), but you need to arrange your own flight. The flight is not paid for.

gljirain (19:59:11)
How much free time one has everyday, not including recreation and sports?

zman (20:00:24)
Visit http://www.awesomemath.org/brochure.pdf for a typical daily schedule. We have study breaks during the morning and in the evening. Most of the evening time is free. We will organize different kinds of team activities for you guys to do.

Windows XP (20:01:45)
is it airconditioned? :)

zman (20:01:59)
Yes, it's Texas!

nsato (20:03:40)
Out of curiosity, who here has applied?

jli (20:03:49)
me

chesspro (20:03:53)
i have

gljirain (20:03:53)
I have

YellowMarker161 (20:04:03)
im working on the admission test c right now =D

Calculus (20:04:11)
I have and I think I will attend.

zman (20:04:27)
Great, I hope we can see you there!

gljirain (20:06:04)
But I do not know if they receive my email, will I be informed that I have given everything required? If not, will I be told to add materials?

zman (20:07:37)
If you have concerns like this, email Titu at titu.andreescu@utdallas.edu.

gljirain (20:06:59)
How are people devided? The brochure says there will be about four groups.

zman (20:09:07)
Yes, four different levels. And each level might have multiple groups. Groups are determined by the admissions tests, credentials on math contests, and teacher recommendation letter. Again, at the camp, we make adjustments promptly after we work with people in person.

Windows XP (20:08:58)
will there be churches nearby?

zman (20:10:00)
Yes, staff at the camp will work with you to make arrangements.

Calculus (20:09:49)
If we are really strong in algebra but really weak in counting for example. Will we be placed in a higher algebra class?

zman (20:12:19)
The lectures will be focused on topics and the teachers' material should be flexible enough to meet individual needs in each group. Most skills from different subjects go hand in hand. If there is really a special situation, we will work with best intentions to not slow you down.

Windows XP (20:12:28)
are you going to be teaching all levels?

zman (20:12:45)
Yes.

gljirain (20:12:38)
How long will it take to know if we get in and which level we are put into?

zman (20:13:08)
In mid-June.

Calculus (20:13:40)
Will there be time to read or study for SATs etc.?

zman (20:15:36)
You do have free time, but if you go to the camp, we assume you are trying to deepen your math skills to a much more advanced level. We will have ample support for you to do that. We think you should use available resources to their full extent.

Windows XP (20:15:37)
is there an internet connection?

zman (20:16:22)
Yes. As we mentioned earlier, the assistants and mentors will have laptops with internet access in each living unit.

Calculus (20:17:11)
will we choose our mentor?

zman (20:17:58)
You will be assigned a mentor. We will live in a very close community. If you find people who you are more comfortable working with, feel free to do so.

nsato (20:21:10)
Does anybody have any more questions?

SplashD (20:22:11)
Could you tell us what the four levels are?

zman (20:24:52)
We color code them. Yellow is the introductory level (mathcounts, AMC10, with no proof experience at all.)

zman (20:25:12)
Red is AMC, beginning AIME level.

zman (20:25:32)
Blue is intermediate AIME level.

zman (20:25:51)
, qualifying for USAMO.

zman (20:26:08)
Black is able to reach MOP.

PI-Dimension (20:25:30)
isnt AMC10 sorta like AIME

zman (20:26:41)
AMC10 is much easier than the AIME.

zman (20:27:30)
Ok. Look forward to seeing you at the camp!

zman (20:27:49)
For more information, please see http://www.awesomemath.org.

zman (20:27:56)
Thank you. Bye!

nsato (20:27:58)
Thanks to Zuming for taking the time to come and answer questions.

gljirain (20:28:11)
Thank you

jli (20:28:28)
does Mr. Fang have an email?

nsato (20:29:29)
If you have any further questions, you should e-mail them to Titu Andreescu at titu@awesomemath.org.

nsato (20:29:54)
Thanks for coming to today's math jam.