| Transcript
for the Math
Jam "MathPath"
on Mar 18. |
| Math Jam hosted by kadamp
(Dr. George Thomas ). |
levans19:31:22
Tonight we have the founder and executive director of MathPath, Dr. George Thomas.
levans19:31:39
Joining Dr. Thomas, we have Professor Setphen Maurer, academic director of MathPath and Rocke Verser, a parent of a MathPath Alum.
kadamp19:31:53
Yes, I,m here! Hi all!
levans19:31:57
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.
kadamp19:32:34
When: June 29 (student arrival date) - July 27(departure), 2008
Where: Univ of Vermont, Burlington Vermont
For whom:
Age range: 11 – 14 years (July 30, 1993 - June 30, 1997)
Age exemption: Only for the younger students. That is, those who were born later than June 30, 1997. Exemption for up to six months based on the academic strength of the student.
Grade level: Not relevant. Most students attending grade 6-8 at the time of application.
MrM19:32:59
Hello, I'm Prof Stephen Maurer, chair of the Math/Stat Dept at Swarthmore College near Philadelphia. But at MathPath, I am known as Mr M. I'm the Academic Director. That means I hire the faculty, organize the mathematical offerings, manage your selection of courses, and teach one or two courses of my own. I also put together the qualifying test and am the primary person evaluating your work on it when you apply. So, I'll answer first if you ask questions about academics.
gonuts19:33:39
i can not hear any sound. is it the way it should be?
MrM19:33:54
No, no sound. This is a text Jam!
kadamp19:34:24
Hi, I,m Dr. T! Hello, again! I help run the camp with Prof. Maurer and Kip and all the other staff.
MrM19:34:35
OK guys, it's up to you to ask questions.
pi(e)31419:35:20
Is the food any good?
MrM19:36:14
DrT says the food is pretty good, you have choices, but it's university food, so it won't be perfect.
Ryuk19:36:41
Alright... For the MathPath Qualifying Test, does disproving one case count as disproving the statement?
kadamp19:38:52
2
MrM19:39:00
Depends. If the statement claimed to be true says "all Widgits are Smidgets", then showing that one widgit is not a smidget is a conclusive. But if the claim is that *some* widget is a smidget, then finding one widget non-smidget doesn't prove anything.
prophet88619:39:27
how many students share a certain room?
kadamp19:39:36
2
pi(e)31419:40:46
scary!
emonkily19:40:46
Will this MathJam be focused on the Math Camp or will we discuss real math too?
MrM19:40:52
On the camp
pi(e)31419:41:44
As in, how old are the dorms?
Fermat160119:41:44
Is that the way it is every year? Last year everyone had a private room.
Fermat160119:41:47
It depends on the place - last year the food at Colorado College was amazing.
karatemagic719:41:47
Hi, have you ever had a camper who felt they weren't sufficiently challenged? If a camper should feel this way, what options would you offer them?
kadamp19:41:57
I revise, All students get their own room. Like Last year!
BOGTRO19:43:14
That wouldn't count as disproving the statement on anything, much less the Qualifying Test...
Ryuk19:43:14
Can you give me examples of some of the topics that will be covered during the camp?
pi(e)31419:43:38
What contests can you take classes for? I know the brochure says everything from MATHCOUNTS to USAMO, but, what's in between?
MrM19:43:56
AMC8, 10, 12, AIME.
kadamp19:44:47
Constructing proof, writing proof, writing math properly, problem solving heuristics, Hyperbolic geometry, knots, combintorial designs, etc. etc.
MrM19:45:03
Both Dr T and I are answering questions, and our answers are getting intermixed. Henceforth, we will finish answering one question before we post and answer another.
MrM19:46:45
Who has a question that has been posted who feels it hasn't been answered. We will try again.
pi(e)31419:48:49
wow!
prophet88619:48:49
ok
karatemagic719:48:49
me! me! about being challenged and highest level of math taught
karatemagic719:49:44
Hi, have you ever had a camper who felt they weren't sufficiently challenged? If a camper should feel this way, what options would you offer them?
Fermat160119:49:44
Could we talk about non-academic activities that take place during camp?
MrM19:50:09
Students have felt that MathPath was everything from pretty interesting to extremely challenging. A few years ago we had the national #1 Winner of MathCounts at camp. Some things he already knew, but mostly he found it very interesting and informative.
kadamp19:50:38
soccer, chess, p;ing pong, set, zome tool, tennis, swimming, hiking, etc.
Fermat160119:51:43
Driving to 14000 feet, crossing a canyon on a rope......
kadamp19:51:46
That is one example of what of what we did.
MrM19:51:53
Basically, we find out where the students at camp are and try to create a program that works for them. In a minute I will post information about our "breakouts", which allow you to choose from a variety of sophistication levels.
karatemagic719:53:29
what's set?
kadamp19:53:33
The game set seems to be a combinatorial game using symbols printed on cards. Many of you known it.
kadamp19:54:03
I mean many of you KNOW it.
Bassooner19:54:07
also there are weekends on which more exciting trips may happen
LadyKn1ght19:54:13
there's always plenty going on at MathPath in addition to math; at '06 we went to the beach a few times, went to an aquarium and a science museum, and all kinds of other cool trips. And just around camp there was always a game of cards, SET, chess, etc, going on. (or soccer for the better coordinated :P)
Fermat160119:54:34
it requires logic and quick thinking.
Fermat160119:55:25
In 07 we went to the Air Force Academy, Garden of the Gods, and Royal Gorge.
Ryuk19:55:37
and zome tool?
kadamp19:55:39
For constructing polyhedra - usually the convex ones - using plastic sticks and balls they fit into.
rcv19:56:13
Set is a card game. Very cool. Maybe a former MathPather would care to answer in more depth.
MrM19:56:40
The next question is the obverse to could camp be too hard. I'll continue answering both questions in a minute.
Fermat160119:56:47
Could we please talk about some of the non-academic activities that take place during camp, such as trips and evening activities?
Ryuk19:56:47
What if someone managed to get through the system (honestly taking the qualifying test) with a decent score, but then when they got to camp they felt like they were horrible at math and weren't good enough to be there?
MrM19:57:15
First, some definitions. We have 2 sorts of courses, <I>plenaries </I> and <I> breakouts</I>. A plenary session (at any gathering - check a dictionary) is one that everyone attends. A breakout is where we break the student body out into smaller groups run in parallel. Plenaries are required of all. For breakouts you have a choice at each time slot which one to take.\r\rEverything runs by the week at MathPath. For each week, first I find out what the faculty want to teach and choose among their proposals if there are conflicts. Then the faculty prepare a brief show and tell, typically Saturday after lunch, about their breakout courses for the coming week. Then the students vote, indicating their 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th choice at each hour. Then I assign students to breakout courses. In order to keep some classes from becoming too large, I can't always give you your first choice, or even your second. But I try to balance it out so that over the full 4 weeks, everybody has to take lower choices about equally often. Remember, it's all good mathematics, so it shouldn't make a whole lot of difference whether you get your first choice or not.\r\rOften we give courses a star rating. The more stars, the more background and mathematical sophistication required. You can interpret this as a difficulty rating if you insist, but it's not quite the same thing. And sometimes the 1-star courses are the most interesting.
MrM19:57:59
Last year we had 3 breakout periods each week, each 50 minutes long. To give you some idea of the variety, let me show you the choices for the first and last weeks. In the first week the students had these choices:\r\rFor the morning breakout sessions the first week, \r• ______ Number Theory, week 1 (Dr Z, 1-star)\r• ______ National MathCounts (Mr L, 3-star)\r• ______ Taming the Torus (DrV, 2-3 star)\r• ______ Analytic Geometry, week 1 (Dr T, 2-3 stars)\r\rFor the first afternoon breakout sessions the first week, \r• ______ Hyperbolic Geometry, week 1 (Dr T, 1-2 stars)\r• ______ The Fourth Dimension (Dr V, 1-star)\r• ______ Basic Combinatorics (Dr Z, 1-2 stars)\r• ______ Conway special topics\r\r\rFor the problem solving breakout (late afternoon), \r• ______ Regional MathCounts (Mr L, 1-2 star)\r• ______ AMC 8 and 10 (Mr M, 2-star)\r• ______ Problemsolvingology (Dr Z, 3-star)\r• ______ Mandelbrot (Dr V, 4-star)\r\r\rFor the final week the choices were\r\rFor the morning breakout sessions,\r• ______ Combinatorics (Prof Bressoud, then Dr T on Napier Bones, 2-3 stars)\r• ______ National MathCounts Practice (Mr L, 3 stars)\r• ______ Rubik’s for Dummies (Dr Z, 1-star)\r• ______ Trapping Points with Triangles (Dr V, 4 stars)\r\rFor the first afternoon breakout session, \r• ______ Approaching the 4-Color Theorem (Hannah, 2 stars)\r• ______ Infinity (Coach D, 2 star)\r• ______ The Banach-Tarski Paradox in Detail (Dr Z, 3-4 stars)\r• ______ Games People Play (Dr V, 2 stars)\r\rFor the second afternoon breakout session \r• ______ Regional MathCounts (Mr L, 1-2 star)\r• ______ AIME (Mr M, 4 stars) \r• ______ Some Sums (Dr Z, 1-2 stars) \r• ______ Problem Writing Seminar (Dr V, 3-star)\r\rIn 2008, we may have only 2 breakout periods each day, both longer. Or, we may have 3 periods some weeks, 2 other weeks. MathPath is always a work in progress!
MrM19:58:51
Yikes, all my prepared formatting is being eliminated on this website. But maybe you see the point: there is a lot of variety in courses during breakouts. We can basically find the right level for all our students.
pi(e)31419:59:09
What items (besides clothes, and those kinds of things) can we bring.
kadamp19:59:14
chess set, tennis racket, digital camera,cell phone
kadamp20:00:05
The full list is in the pre-camp briefing
MrM20:00:09
Some students feel out of place - over their heads when they arrive -. But the counselors and faculty help them out, find the right materials for them, and they usually end up at the end of the camp feeling it was an excellent experience. OK, I think I am done with answering the "is is the right level" questions.
rcv20:00:40
The Set-master (a counselor from last year is here). She has a brief description of the game...
Bassooner20:00:44
SET is a card game with 81 cards - there are four categories (color, shape, shading, and number) so each card has a different combination. The point of the game is to spot "SET"s: three cards that have in the four categories either all the same or all different. For example, one red solid diamond, two purple shaded diamonds, three green hollow diamonds.
rcv20:01:02
And a student...
Fermat160120:01:03
Set is a game which contains a set of cards. Each card has 4 features: shape, color, amount, and shading. Each feature can be one of three values (e.g. amount = 1, 2, or 3; color = purple, green, or red). Thus there are 3^4=81 cards. A set is a set of 3 cards where for every particular feature, each card has the same value of that feature all they all have different values of that feature. The object of the game is to find sets in a group of 12 cards faster than your opponent(s).
Lawrence Wu20:01:25
Can we bring a Rubik's Cube?
LadyKn1ght20:01:28
a SET deck :)
kadamp20:01:37
The pre-camp briefing is sent to enrolled students in mid May.
rcv20:02:04
Yes. You may bring mathematical toys. Rubik's cube is always a popular diversion.
LadyKn1ght20:02:15
I did bring a SET deck. You might have noticed it thrown all over the girl's lounge at one point ;).
Fermat160120:02:17
Rubiks Cubing is very popular at camp..
kadamp20:02:25
Yes. Rubik's, but strictly no cubing in class except the one where it is taught
kadamp20:02:40
Indeed
kadamp20:03:02
Indeed it is very popular.
MrM20:03:23
Rubik's Cube was quite popular last year and we ended up having a competition during the Wrap Up session between the two fastest cubers. Can you believe it, they tied exactly at something like 21 seconds.
Fermat160120:03:56
28
Fermat160120:04:05
fWe had a Rubiks Cube for Dummies breakout the last week, and you could buy your own cube if you had none.
MrM20:04:41
That course was taught by Dr Z (Paul Zeitz) who is taking a break from MathPath this summer.
Fermat160120:05:01
The neat thing is, you get a CD with photos and videos from the camp. That's how I know about the 28 seconds.
pi(e)31420:05:14
Does paul zeitz live in WA, by any chance?
MrM20:05:23
No, near San Francisco
Fermat160120:06:03
He organizes the Bay Area Mathematical Olympiad.
MrM20:06:10
Are there any more questions about non-academic life at camp. We'd like to answer those now.
Lawrence Wu20:07:03
Do we need calculators?
kadamp20:07:07
Not necessary. If you bring one, please do not play games on it in the math sessions.
kadamp20:08:58
We advise students to bring about
Ryuk20:10:06
how much are the fees for the 'optional activities'
kadamp20:10:09
$275. It is for books - say $100 -, $50 for optional activities, a bunch for your use, etc.
pi(e)31420:10:21
ok then
prophet88620:10:21
is there a time or session for instrumental practice?
MrM20:10:23
Yes, we usually set up a practice schedule for those students who are serious. We find out early in the camp who those students are, then contact the university people to find out what facilities we can use when, and then arrange a schedule.
smiley20:11:04
As for instrument practice, there are afternoon breaks when you have free time, and that is optimum to practice. It's always fun to create impromptu bands with your friends.
prophet88620:11:45
ok thank you.
Bassooner20:11:56
What is the student:faculty ratio?
MrM20:11:57
First, we have one counselor (undergraduate math major) for each 12 students. Second, we have enough faculty so that the breakout classes run in size from 10 to 30. Last year they averaged 20, because we had 82 students and 4 breakout choices per period.
Fermat160120:13:14
Speaking of schedules, when do you get up and go to bed?
kadamp20:13:16
I meant that students are advised to 10:30 pm is lights out and quiet begins.
kadamp20:14:13
FUNNY ENGLISH, THE SYSTEM PUT OUT FOR ME!
MrM20:15:02
I am continuing with the question of student faculty ratio. Another way to answer is to look at the total number of faculty.We've got quite a lineup this year. Some of the topics will be geometry, knots and virtual knots, applications of discrete math to scheduling tournaments and fair division, number theory, the artist Escher, math history, and how to communicate mathematics.\r\r In a bit more detail\r\r Vladimir Chernov, a graduate of the famed St Petersburg Math Circle, will talk about knots and virtual knots.\r\r Jeff Dinitz is an expert on combinatorial designs and has designed professional football schedules.\r\r Robin Hartshorne and John McCleary are bothi experts on all sorts of geometry and the history of geometry. Prof Hartshorne will lead you through some challenging ruler and compass constructions.\r\r Frances Su can talk about how discrete mathematics like Sperner's Lemma can be applied to fair division and paying the rent.\r\r Glenn Van Brummelen and Tom Drucker will talk about mathematics history.\r\r John Voight does computational number theory and also studies mathematical art, like the work of Escher.\r\r I (Mr M) will run my usual plenary on good mathematical writing, using your work on the Qualifying Test as examples.\r\r\r And, we've just heard that John Conway plans to return. Maybe he'll talk about infinity, maybe he will talk about the mathematics of knowing dates - who knows! He's quite a character.\r\rFor even more details about our faculty, see \rwww.mathpath.org/Faculty&Staff/FACULTY.HTM
pi(e)31420:15:16
Do student and faculty members get to know each other outside of classes?
kadamp20:15:17
yES, THEY PLAY GAMES TOGETHER, WORK ON MATH, EAT TOGETHER IF THE STUDENT FEELS LIKE.
Fermat160120:16:41
20.5 then
Bassooner20:16:41
There is plenty of time for immersion between students and faculty, if the student so chooses to use it! :)
LadyKn1ght20:16:43
I got to know some faculty pretty well, and found them all to be really nice
karatemagic720:17:24
Hi - i'm a mom - borrowing son's computer - are there locks on the dorm doors and has there been any problem with thefts in past summers?
kadamp20:17:26
No thefts! And rooms are locked by students when they are out ofthe dorm.
prophet88620:17:48
when does the regular morning class start?
kadamp20:17:49
9 am
pi(e)31420:18:02
What textbooks are necessary?
MrM20:18:05
Generally, 0. We provide handouts with the problems for courses.
Ryuk20:19:00
Attack of the caps lock o.O
smiley20:19:00
As for the faculty: The faculty really try to be matematically engaging and sociable. It's nice to know that all the big scary professors are real people, and they're willing to associate with the students.
karatemagic720:19:10
also, how many faculty are on dorm floor w/ campers
kadamp20:19:11
FAculty will be on a different floor. Student flopors also have the counselors
MrM20:20:34
Somewhere between 80 and 100 campers. Last year, 21 of the 82 students were female, so just over 25%. The percent has been going up. In addition, last year I would say that at least half of our strongest students were girls. Good work!
karatemagic720:20:56
how many campers do you anticipate at camp this yr? what was the boy to girl ratio last summer?
MrM20:21:16
Apologies, I posted the answer before the question just now!
karatemagic720:21:30
If a camper wants to sleep in and skip breakfast one or more days, is this allowed? Also, if no books generally needed, why the need for $100?
kadamp20:21:32
It is not compulsory that you spend $100 on books. You can spend more. You can spend less. Yes, you can spend zero dollars on books. It is rare that a student does this.
kadamp20:22:35
Skipping breakfast on a Sunday morning might be OK, but we gather you for breakfast.
prophet88620:23:03
is there an evaluation for students at the end of the camp???
MrM20:23:08
Yes, there is a narrative evaluation, put together based on all aspects of the camp.
MrM20:23:37
By a "narrative evaluation" I mean you get a full-page letter.
Bassooner20:23:42
the books are extra books to provide the student with more exposure to mathematics - they are usually sold cheaper than the student would be able to find them online or in a store. Generally, the students want to buy some mathematical books, because they are frequently interesting topics.
karatemagic720:25:33
Do parents ever visit the camp while it's in session? How long do they stay?
kadamp20:25:34
Yes! About two dozen parent sets are there on the first day of camp. Then we haver one to three sets all the time. Parents can sit in the main lectures attended by all students. Parents visit for aone to three days.
karatemagic720:26:18
at 10:30 pm are students allowed to be in other student's rooms?
kadamp20:26:19
NO!
Fermat160120:26:46
Last year there were three posters, Hartshornes's Geometry:Euclid and Beyond, Loney's Elements of Coord. Geometry, Euclid's Elements, and several more.
Fermat160120:26:51
We had to have a raffle because so many students wanted certain books.
karatemagic720:29:13
girl - guy ratio?
karatemagic720:29:13
what math "tools" like compasses, protractors, calculators, graph paper? etc do we need? Does the camp supply things like graph and scratch paper? Do we need our own notebooks? sorry if you already answered this and I missed ...
MrM20:29:15
You'll get a precamp briefing that says what to bring. Definitely bring some notebooks, though of course you could buy them at the university store. We provide compasses and protractors when they are needed for Prof Hartshorne's course, but of course, if you have a favorite set, you can bring it.
LadyKn1ght20:30:33
the books aren't for classes, but to take home and read. And you do want to buy them; the ones I have are very good books! (all math books)
kadamp20:30:37
We shall not force books or any item that costs on anyone! The principle is that we make available for you what we think would be useful for you. The camp is in its eightth year, and we are now in sound financial shape. Even otherwise, we shall not promote at camp. The camp costs enough for the parents!
pi(e)31420:31:14
Have there ever been severe epedemics of sickness at MathPath?
kadamp20:31:16
NO!
smiley20:31:42
Sleep is an important aspect of the camp, too. The math is always more enjoyable after a good night's sleep in your room. So it is NOT FUN to stay up too late. You would want to follow the lights out rule.
kadamp20:31:43
You are so right!
Ryuk20:32:11
What's the climate like in Vermont? I'm assuming it's nothing like Alabama's...
Ryuk20:32:11
What's the climate like in Vermont?
MrM20:32:13
Generally pretty nice. My family has spent several summer vacations there. It's typically about 10 degrees cooler than the New York to DC area, maybe 15 degrees cooler than Alabama and not as humid. Burlington is right on the big Lake Champlain - check Google Maps! But anywhere in the east can get hot and humid sometimes.
Lawrence Wu20:32:35
how does the raffle work?
kadamp20:32:36
What raffle,lease elaborate!
MrM20:33:19
Of course, Santa Cruz where we went 2 years ago is never supposed to get hotter than 85, and it went up to 105 while we were there. One cannot control the weather. But you can control the math.
Lawrence Wu20:34:39
the one for the books in high demand
kadamp20:34:40
Yes, the first n people from the hat get it, n being the # of books. Usually, n is close to the canp enrollment, so few are disappointed. However, there have been exceptions.
karatemagic720:36:56
are these dorm rooms air conditioned at all? I'm guessing no - but some schools DO have air conditioned rooms -- is there a way to find out?
kadamp20:36:57
Yes, airconditioned! I am not 100% sure though. If you need to know, email me in a couple of days at thomas@mathpath.org
Bassooner20:38:22
last year the girl:boy ratio was about 1:3
Ryuk20:38:22
Are we allowed to do research of our own for the Qualifying Test? Or would that be cheating....
MrM20:38:24
Yes, you can, but it's best to state that you have done so. It's very unlikely you will find an exact Test question somewhere, but you might find a step of it somewhere. But remember, we are looking to see how well you think for yourself. So the more you can answer independently, the better.
MrM20:39:13
For example, if you use as a step in your work a formula you merely looked up somewhere (and don't independently know why it is true) you should say so.
karatemagic720:39:58
good question about sickness - oh, this is a "mom" again -- what do you do if a camper gets sick -- or hurt (like sprains an ankle?) Are campers allowed to bring OTC meds to camp and use at their own discretion? is there a nurse/dr on staff? 24 hrs? Do you arrange for privileges at a local hospital? Sorry for sounding like a parent
Fermat160120:39:58
that's how the students at mathpath talk - applying math to things like raffles. To others this may seem like we're nerds.
kadamp20:39:59
You can bring all needed medicines to camp. But most of them will be stored away for the student and given at the needed time by the student's counselor. We have a local hospital with previleges for the campers. The hospital s the univeristy hosp. If a cmaper gets sick, we ensure that the camper gets well - whatever is needed to ensure that.
karatemagic720:40:21
oh, are the boys and girls housed in separate dorms or on separate floors?
kadamp20:40:22
Separate floors
pi(e)31420:40:35
Are laptops required?
kadamp20:40:36
No
kadamp20:42:08
Not at all,\.
karatemagic720:42:18
OK - thanks - just wondering if I needed to bring a big fan - hard to sleep in 85 deg. weather when I'm used to sleeping in 68!
kadamp20:42:19
We will advise you in the Pre-camp Briefing. Your sleeping comfort is taken seriously by the camp. You need to get a good sleep so you will be fresh.
MrM20:43:43
Let me answer about electronics in general. At the most lenient, we strongly discourage them. Under no circumstances are you allowed to distract yourself in class by playing with an electronic toy, even a calculator. We will take it away. And if playing with these things distract you from thinking about math too much at other times, that's a no-no too.Laptops are a more difficult question. All professional mathematicians use computers for writing, and sometimes for calculations. Some people, including some MathPath students, have eye-hand coordination problems and need computers to write anything. If the family will contact us about that, we will certainly allow the student a laptop. Otherwise, they are again discouraged, if not forbidden. There will be a computer lab available a certain number of hours to check email.
Ryuk20:44:16
Is there a wireless internet we can connect to?
Bassooner20:44:16
are laptops allowed?
MrM20:44:38
Dog gone, my attempt to post the question first failed again!
kadamp20:45:39
I think so. Now, I see that I am not answering some questions. So we will open up a web page in a couple of days that will have these answers, especailly concerning amenities at Univeristy of VErmont. The page can be accessed from the bottom of the page www.mathpath.org/day.htm
pi(e)31420:46:30
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pi(e)31420:46:30
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LadyKn1ght20:46:30
When I was at camp, one girl did sprain her ankle during a soccer game, and she was taken to the hospital quickly + everyone made sure she took care of her ankle for the rest of camp
karatemagic720:48:19
At the end of camp - or even during - will the camp provide all campers with a list of all OTHER camper's home addresses, phone #'s, emails and the like?
karatemagic720:48:20
oh, that's good! uh, not good she sprained an ankle - good everyone took care of!
karatemagic720:48:20
do campers walk to and from places like classes, cafeteria, (tennis courts?) by themselves or do they need to go only in groups and with a counselor? For ex: you mentioned a bookstore - when can a camper go there? anytime there is free time?
MrM20:48:21
Great idea. We certainly have such a list, but we better ask campers and their families if they wish this private information to be "published". We do have a camp "monthbook" and most campers include at least their email address there.
kadamp20:49:20
The classrooms are close to the dorms. Students can go by themselves. They have to cross a beautiful yard of trees. Cafeteria is farther. You go with your counselor group. Yes, bookstore is close to dorm. You can go there yourself too.
MrM20:49:35
This has been a very active session, the best MathPath Math Jam so far - so we have run over in time. Any final questions?
Fermat160120:49:52
At the back of the yearbook there is a list of math jokes that are always fun to read. Also you get a nice shirt with the MP logo on the front and math stuff on the back.
karatemagic720:52:44
Can you please include on your web page things like if the campus has a pool or tennis courts for Mathpath campers use?
karatemagic720:52:44
mom question - I don't know the univ of Verm campus - but do the kids need to walk in the road or cross streets on the campus at any point?
MrM20:52:47
There is one main road on the side of the old campus that we may have to cross occasionally, but it has a crosswalk system and we don't let kids cross such streets without a counselor. You can find a map of camp on the UVM website.
MrM20:53:10
I meant a map of *campus*
kadamp20:54:10
CAfeteria and soccer need crossing a road. So studetns must go in counselor groups. There is also free bus every 15 minutes to everywhere. We may get counselor groups to ride those sometimes.
Ryuk20:55:30
what's the average number of questions correct on the Qualifying Test among participants?
MrM20:55:32
LadyKn1ght, I hear you posted a good answer to this on the forum. Would you state it again?
karatemagic720:55:57
Oh, do you know if there are any/ or Other groups of kids besides Mathpath on the Vermont campus in the summer? Do you know what types of camps and/or ages of kids?
kadamp20:56:03
There will be other camps. But our dorms are exclusively for our use. No camp there othere than usd. In fact, there is no camp near our dorm We are in a safe and beautiful part of campus. Lot of solitude to think math. The math dept is across us too.
karatemagic720:56:48
Finally, will a transcript of this whole discussion be available??
MrM20:56:50
My understanding is that everything that goes public - everything we moderators posted for all to see - gets saved as a transcript you can review at any time. The transcript from the Math Jam for MathPath last year is still on the AoPS website!
levans20:57:31
The transcript will be available by tomorrow at the latest.
LadyKn1ght20:57:32
How many questions should you answer? Just do the best you can :)
karatemagic720:57:32
good question about ave. # of questions right!
smiley20:57:32
The qualifying test is really just a way to see how you think. They don't expect, or even necessarily want, you to get all of it correct. They really just want to get a good idea of how you think and if that thinking would be a good fit to the style and content of the camp.
Fermat160120:57:35
Are there any other airports nerby?
kadamp20:57:39
Burlington Airport is nearby and onvenient to get to/from.nNo other airports. Please check the web at mathpath.org/gettingthere.htm
kadamp20:59:09
We will summarize the questions and answers on that new page you can link from day.htm.
BOGTRO20:59:31
What was the qualifying score last year?
MrM20:59:33
It doesn't matter because it's a different test this year, not necessarily of the same difficulty level. Do the best you can and let us worry about whether you qualify.
Ryuk21:00:06
So, essentially, just try to get as far as I can with each problem?
LadyKn1ght21:00:06
Yes, I don't think many got 100% right on the quiz when I went. Use the quiz as a chance to show your interest in math.
Fermat160121:00:24
How do you get to Burlington from the west coast without another airport?
kadamp21:00:50
OH! Via Chicago or NY. We prefer Chicago. Also, we are aware of the long flight gfrom the west coast. So all enrolled students from the west coast will be able to use the group flights we are arranging on UNited Airlines.
MrM21:01:52
I hope we've answered your questions and made MathPath even more appealing. My advice: If you are even possibly interested, apply. If we accept you, you can always turn us down if you decide against it. The cost of applying is low, only $20. Yes, there is a cost in time too: you have to work on the Qualifying Test. But the test questions are interesting, and every math problem you do increases your mathematical power, so you gain whether you come to camp or not.\r\r Anyway, I'm looking forward to camp and I hope to meet you. If you or your parents have questions, you can reach me at smaurer1@swarthmore.edu\r\rGood night!
kadamp21:02:25
I know what I have to do now for you. We will open up a new web page linked to day.htm.
kadamp21:03:10
Thank-you for attending the Jam! I shall launch for you the new web page from day.htm
rcv21:03:11
Thanks to all of you for attending this Math Jam. Have fun at MathPath!
BOGTRO21:03:19
Thanks
Bassooner21:03:28
thanks! :)
Ryuk21:03:31
Thank you!
LadyKn1ght21:03:51
thanks :). good luck to those applying!
levans21:03:53
Thank you all for coming.
kadamp21:04:09
Thank-you for attending the Jam. I shall launch the new webpage from day.htm. We will have a great camp - the 8th one!
