Undergraduates to Lead Summer Math Camp for Local High School Students
“I wish I had an opportunity like this when I was in high school,” Alyson Simpson ’25 excitedly declared as she described Camp AIM, a free mathematics day camp that she will help to lead for Worcester-area high school students to be held on Assumption University’s campus from July 18 to 22.
Simpson and with nine other Assumption undergraduates, have trained since the fall semester to lead this interactive day camp hosted by the University and the Assumption Institute of Math (AIM). The inaugural Camp AIM is designed to be an entertaining and educational experience for local high school students in ninth and 10th grade who have a passion for math or are interested in learning more about the academic and career opportunities provided by the subject. “I am beyond excited to use the knowledge that I have learned and pass it on to ninth and 10th grade students at Camp AIM this summer,” Simpson continued. “The camp will allow campers to take advantage of hands-on activities and mini games to learn valuable and applicable math techniques. Campers will make so many new friends while also learning math without even realizing it.”
Participating high school students can expect a full suite of hands-on activities and games to learn discovery topics within pre-calculus and probability. Students will be led in a series of engaging activities designed to inspire them to notice patterns, make and discuss conjectures, then prove them throughout the day. The program is free to participate in and includes lunch.
In addition, the camp provides high school students with an opportunity for an early learning experience in a higher education environment. Students will be able to form connections and learn from the diverse life experiences and knowledge of current Assumption undergraduates and professors.
“Camp AIM will engage its high school participants in active investigations of mathematical phenomena and paradoxes,” said Associate Professor of Education Jessica de la Cruz, Ph.D. “The activities will provide insight into more complex topics typically learned in pre-calculus, calculus, and probability. Our college students have worked hard to prepare an academic experience that is both fun and challenging.”
“Fun is the key that brings it all together,” Assistant Professor of Mathematics Joseph Alfano, Ph.D. said. “We have designed a set of interactive activities of moderate length – between 45 and 90 minutes – that help students discover some interesting topics in pre-calculus, probability, and stats.”
For the group of Assumption undergraduate students who will be leading the camp, mostly comprised of education majors representing the Class of 2025, Camp AIM represents an opportunity for valuable experiential learning early in their collegiate career. The undergraduates began work preparing for Camp AIM last fall, developing engaging lesson plans and activities designed to make Camp AIM a challenging and entertaining experience for campers.
Such emphasis on experiential learning programs and opportunities for students is one of the foundational influences in an Assumption education’s ability to develop well-rounded students with experiences outside of the classroom.
“The main goal of the camp is to give high school students a fun and hands-on learning experience in mathematics,” Prof. Alfano added. “However just as important, the camp will give Assumption students the chance to experience the fun of teaching math in a hands-on environment.”
Camp AIM will be held daily on Assumption’s beautiful 185-acre Worcester campus from July 18 to 22 from 9:15 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. All ninth and 10th grade students with an interest in mathematics are encouraged to apply for the camp to join in on the fun. Teachers and guidance counselors can also refer students using the Camp AIM: Teacher Referral Form. For more information, please visit the Camp AIM homepage.