Transcript for the Math Jam "MathPath" on May 1.

Math Jam hosted by kadamp (Dr. George Thomas ).

rrusczyk (19:29:55)
Tonight we are having a Math Jam to discuss the summer program MathPath. MathPath is an excellent summer program for students in grades 6-8. Many AoPSers are past participants of MathPath, including many of the top students at National MATHCOUNTS for the last couple years.

rrusczyk (19:30:00)
Tonight we have the founder and director of MathPath, Dr. George Thomas. We also have a parent of a MathPath alum, Rocke Verser. Our active AoPSers know Mr. Verser from his valuable contributions to our message board, particularly as moderator of the MATHCOUNTS forum.

rrusczyk (19:30:09)
I will now turn the floor over to our guests to tell you a little bit about MathPath. After they have introduced the camp, they will open the floor for questions.

rcv (19:30:48)
This is Rocke Verser, parent of an alumnus, and moderator of the MATHCOUNTS Forum. Dr. Thomas will introduce himself.

kadamp (19:31:33)
Hi, I am Dr. Thomas, As most of you know, MathPath is a summer program for the profoundly gifted in math from grades 6,7, or 8.
Any questions about the program?

rcv (19:31:41)
When: July 1 - July 29, 2007
Where: Colorado College, Colorado Springs, CO
Age range: 11 ? 14 year olds ( Birthdates July 30, 1992 - June 30, 1996)
This means the student should not be 15 before the end of the camp,
whereas the student should be 11 by the start date of camp.

jhredsox (19:32:12)
any exceptions?

rcv (19:33:07)
Exceptions are unusual, but they do occur. Do you have a special circumstance?

jhredsox (19:33:53)
no, i'm just 14 and i can't go this year, but want to go next...

rcv (19:34:55)
Next year, you will be too old, and MathPath will recommend you attend another camp.

3.14159man (19:33:13)
what is the cost?

kadamp (19:36:17)
In order to make MathPath more affordable for families with lower household incomes, the fee is income-based.
The fee ranges from $3000 to $4500.
For families with combined annual incomes of $50000 and below, the MathPath fee is $3000.
For those with incomes of $110,000 and above, it is $4500. For all incomes, the fee formula is this:
Fees = 0.025 X (Gross household income before deductions) + $1750.
The household income is the one indicated on the 2006 Federal Income Tax Return in the country of residence of the student unless at least one of the parents is employed in a second country. In the latter case, the gross household income is the sum of incomes of parents in both countries. Parents of enrolled students will be asked in the fourth week of May to mail a copy of the front page of the tax returns.

rcv (19:37:38)
That's a lot of text. But if your parents are high-income, the fee is $4500. If they are low-income, the fee is $3000. Or somewhere inbetween.

jhredsox (19:37:27)
So it doesn't matter what they make this year, but rather last?

rcv (19:38:11)
That is correct.

jhredsox (19:34:57)
how much percent of the time is educational interface rather than social?

rcv (19:39:08)
As a parent, who was there for several days, I thought they had a nice balance. I think Dr. Thomas can be more specific.

kadamp (19:39:58)
All day we DO math. Of'course, right through we are also interacting with peers. I count that as social interaction. In the evening, there is more direct social interaction thru athletics, board games, music, and the like.

rcv (19:40:40)
There are strictly social agenda items, such as swimming, soccer tournaments, ping-pong tournaments, chess tournaments, etc.

jhredsox (19:40:38)
But this is different for weekends, right?

rcv (19:41:27)
Indeed, yes! There are field-trips about once a week. I think Dr. Thomas will elaborate.

kadamp (19:42:04)
We have field trips on Sundays and Mondays.

LadyKn1ght (19:41:58)
I am an alumna, and I think the balance of classes and free time (during which we did math, played games or sports, or just hung out) was very good.

3.14159man (19:41:21)
also, how do the classes get separated? age, grade, or level of mathematical ability?

rcv (19:43:04)
There are some classes that *everybody* takes. For example, the History of Mathematics. Learning about Egyption Fractions. Learning about higher dimensions. The problem-solving classes tend to be split out more by ability.

kadamp (19:43:33)
There are also classes you sign up for.

kadamp (19:44:04)
If you find a class too tough you can move to an easier one, and vice versa.

3.14159man (19:44:18)
those are like elective slots right, they dont charge separately?

kadamp (19:44:52)
You are right!

rcv (19:45:15)
No extra charges for any classes you take. All students are given a full schedule of classes, and you are expected to attend your scheduled classes. If you don't like a class because it is too hard or too easy, you can ask to switch to an alternate class that fits you better.

jhredsox (19:45:10)
Is there ever a situation where all the classes are too easy for someone?

kadamp (19:46:01)
We have not had such a situation yet!

rcv (19:46:44)
I think Dr. Thomas means to say that one of the offerings will be hard enough for *everyone*.

rcv (19:47:46)
There are breakout sessions, which I think Dr. Thomas will give some details about.

kadamp (19:48:41)
Some topics: Hyperbolic Geometry, spherical geoemtry, analytical geometry, problem-solving strategies, history of math, training for contests, number theory

kadamp (19:50:24)
RCV tells me over the phone that a clap of thunder in Colorado where he is has knocked out his internet connection

kadamp (19:51:00)
You can still ask me. Ladynight can help me.

kadamp (19:51:42)
So why do you want to go to MathPath?

rcv (19:52:50)
Hello, again. :)

jhredsox (19:47:02)
ok, i was just wondering there, because i know some kids this year that might have that situation as they were saying this was too easy for them

LadyKn1ght (19:47:12)
At camp all the campers could find classes to challenge them.

3.14159man (19:49:28)
wow. so only one of those can be taken?

rcv (19:55:15)
Actually, there are usually multiple sessions of the break-out classes, so you can usually take the ones you want.

kadamp (19:55:40)
MathPath is designed to be just hard enough so you benefit no matter how good you are. The program is tuned by faculty according to the level of the students.

kadamp (19:56:34)
Breakout sessions are classes run simultaneously. They are of varying difficulty.

3.14159man (19:55:36)
but didnt you say that one is hard enough for most people ?

rcv (19:57:06)
Rememer that MathPath has helped ""train"" some of the best problem-solvers on the MATHCOUNTS (and now the High-School) Forum.

rcv (19:57:36)
I can virtually guarantee that most classes will be ""hard enough"" for you, although you might find a topic or two you've seen before.

kadamp (19:57:45)
One of the reasons for having the breakout sessions is to provide challenging sessions for each student.

LadyKn1ght (19:57:40)
You choose new break-outs each week, and usually there are 3 a day, besides the regular classes

3.14159man (19:57:53)
okay.. so that means if you take one breakout class at one time, and the same class at another time, they will be taught by different people and will have different difficulty?

kadamp (19:58:36)
And in each of those three sessions there are several parallel (simultaneous) sessions of varying difficulty.

rcv (19:59:21)
For some breakout sessions on the same topic, the difficulty levels will vary. For example, there might be two or three different levels of a Number Theory Breakout Session.

3.14159man (19:59:35)
okay thank you, that cleared it up a bit

rcv (20:00:04)
Good. In summary, if you are in middle school (or finishing middle school), you will not be bored!

jhredsox (19:56:51)
does everyone get to know eachother?

kadamp (20:00:42)
Yes!

rcv (20:01:06)
That's entirely up to you, but I think every student knew every other student's name. Some students weren't exactly best buddies with each other, if you know what I mean.

jhredsox (20:00:59)
ok, including the teachers?

rcv (20:02:03)
Generally, there are many friendships with fellow students, counselors, and teachers! Students with similar interests will find each other!

rcv (20:03:13)
Are there any other questions?

jhredsox (20:02:23)
what if you don't like your roommate?

kadamp (20:04:00)
We can make changes if they are necessary.

jhredsox (20:03:32)
what are the meals like?

rcv (20:04:34)
My daughter *loved* the meals at Colorado College, when she was there two years ago.

kadamp (20:04:57)
Yes, the meals were wholesome and varied.

rcv (20:06:11)
It was all-you-can-eat. Pizza was a staple, almost every day. But options included Stir Fry, Meat Loaf, Salads, and many, many other choices. Typically 3-4 entree choices, per meal.

LadyKn1ght (20:05:38)
I was not close to everyone at camp, but I still know the names of all the students, teachers, and counselors from last summer. And you do not have to be really good friends with your roommate, since most time is not spent in your room, anyway.

jhredsox (20:07:41)
breakfasts were good?

rcv (20:08:16)
Cereal, fruit, eggs, omelettes, toast, bagels. You name it!

1+1=1 (20:07:55)
What is MathPath?[img id=em-10]

rcv (20:08:55)
MathPath is the best summer math camp for Middle School students, that you can imagine!

kadamp (20:09:26)
MathPath is a first camp for the most gifted.

LadyKn1ght (20:09:11)
MathPath=awesome.

jhredsox (20:09:20)
omelettes, yum

LadyKn1ght (20:09:27)
You can find a lot of info at MathPath.org

kadamp (20:09:45)
The reason it is a first camp is that we build up the foundation.

kadamp (20:11:34)
By foundation, I mean writing mathematics properly, writing proof, problem-solving heuristics, fundamental concepts appropriate for the future mathematician who is still in school, and the like

jhredsox (20:09:48)
So who exactly are you paying with your application money?

kadamp (20:12:41)
The application fee is made payable to MathPath. The reason for the application fee is so that the applicant is serious about the application.

jhredsox (20:12:13)
so what happens if you have a student who REALLY needs special attention in a certain area of mathematics

rcv (20:13:43)
If you get into MathPath, you will have the aptitude to do anything. If you need extra help, there are counselors, teachers, and friends, who are available outside of class time.

jhredsox (20:13:34)
oh, i meant with the big fee, not the 20 dollars. does it just go towards room, food, teaching, activities?

kadamp (20:15:01)
You are right

kadamp (20:16:00)
It costs over $5000 per student to run this camp! If we were not a non-profit org, we would have to charge over $5000.

1+1=1 (20:14:28)
What happens if you get ill during the camp?

rcv (20:18:35)
For minor illness, you will be taken care of at camp. Perhaps a private room, if warranted. Medicines. etc. For major illness, it will be handled on an individual basis, but may include allowing you to go home early (with partial refund).

rcv (20:22:04)
If you want a brochure and application for MathPath, you can find information at www.mathpath.org. Or you can e-mail Dr. Thomas to ask for a brochure.

rcv (20:22:25)
Are there any other questions or comments, before we wrap this up?

pianist_2 (20:21:09)
How many campers are you expecting to come this summer?

rcv (20:22:50)
Dr. Thomas tells me there will be between 70 and 100 campers, this year.

kadamp (20:22:58)
You can see a list of the 2007 faculty at mathpath.org/faculty.htm. Hey, there is a picture of me too at the top of the page. I hope to see some of you in Colorado! Bye!

rcv (20:23:28)
If there are no more questions, I guess that ends tonight Math Jam. I'll stand by for a couple more minutes if there are any last minute questions. Thanks for joining us, tonight. See you all in Colorful Colorado!