Summer Ventures in Science and Mathematics

Curriculum

SVSM supplements high school and university courses, taking students beyond the traditional boundaries of high school science and mathematics. Students are instructed by university professors and master high school teachers working with professionals from other institutions, government, and industry. Students learn experimental design, laboratory skills, instrumentation, mathematical modeling, strategies in mathematical problem solving and exploratory data analysis. Moreover, students learn while they are engaged in specific scientific and mathematical activities of interest to them.

Courses

The following is a listing of possible SVSM course work. Each year the courses will vary.

Mathematical Evolutions

Abstracts of 2010, 2011, 2012 2013 & 20142019

Mathematical Evolutions will be a survey course exploring the development of mathematics from Ancient Egypt to present day. The course will emphasize examination of topics in and beyond the high school curriculum with a special focus on proof and reasoning. This course is designed to develop high school students’ conceptual understanding of fundamental mathematical ideas as they have developed through history. Students will also have the opportunity to experiment with ancient methods of calculation and problem solving. The abacus and slide rule will be used in addition to modern technology such as Geometer’s Sketchpad. Prerequisite: Students should have completed Algebra II.

Ethical Data Science Course Description

The Ethical Data Science Course offers an introduction to data science concepts grounded in social, ethical, and real-world examples. Students will learn basic data science concepts and skills that build on existing K-12 mathematics learning, and experience how data science concepts are used in the data science industry. These skills and concepts include, but are not limited to, the Python programming language, understanding data and its many forms, data collection methods, exploratory data analysis, data visualizations, machine learning algorithms (classification and regression), and methods for evaluating models, and communicating findings.

Throughout this course students will focus explicitly on developing our communicative, ethical, and sociopolitical awareness of how mathematical products (algorithms, mathematical representations, data-based decisions, etc.) impact individuals, groups, society, and the environment. To do this, students will work through the data investigation process using real data sets that exist at the global, national, and local levels. In addition, students will engage in readings that exemplify the influences of data science and Big Data in society, and will critique the products of data science (visualizations, statements, statistics, etc.) that is seen in the media. Finally, students will apply what they have learned in a final project concerned with exploring and developing solutions to a personally meaningful real world injustice using data science methods.

Practical Applications of Advanced Mathematics

Abstracts of 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 ,2014,2015, 2019

This course is designed to provide students with the opportunity to experience hands-on applications of advanced mathematics using teamwork skills. Topics in geometry and trigonometry are among the mathematical concepts that will be applied to land surveying, NASCAR racing, and decision-making skills. Hands-on activities, mini-projects, and related field trips are planned throughout the four-week course. Prerequisites: Geometry and Algebra II.

A Real World View of Applied Math and Data Analysis

Abstracts of 2010, 2011, 2012 2013 ,2014, 2015,2019

The goal of this course is to show the prevalence of mathematics in our everyday lives. The first half of the course will be devoted to several mathematical subject areas mainly using statistics. An overview of statistics will be taught so that your understanding of these subject areas will be understood. Topics will include naturally occurring patterns in nature, as well as our attraction to individuals and structures that epitomize particular patterns and ratios. We will explore areas in business, science, medicine, forensics, and many others. Further, we will use mathematics to describe how efficiency and order are achieved in business and government. The class will also cover graph theory as it pertains to data and looking for patterns, as well as algorithms for determining efficient models. Topics will be modified depending upon the interest of the students in the class. Throughout the class, we will center on data collection and analysis through the use of probes and programs connected with TI-84 calculators. Students will collect and analyze their own data which will set up the student for working on their paper. The second half of the class will center on data collection and analysis so students may do a write-up on their paper/project. (Data collection will depend upon available resources.) Prerequisite: None.

Topics in Biology

Abstracts of 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 & 2014 2015,2019

Students investigate a wide range of biological topics in the laboratory intensive course. Students are immersed in an inquiry-based experience that enriches their understanding and appreciation for biology. Laboratory experiments are conducted daily allowing students to investigate topics in areas that include the following: biotechnology, bacteriology, virology, genetics, genetic engineering, animal behavior, animal physiology, evolution, ecology, and bioethics. It is highly recommended that students taking this course have a basic understanding of principle concepts in both chemistry and biology.