Summer Program in Mathematical Problem Solving

2013 Details and Schedule

Program Calendar

April 28-May 10Student admission interviews (in school).
May 21Admissions packet mailed to admitted students.
June 8Deadline for accepting your spot. Students on the waitlist will be notified in mid-June if we still have spots available.
June 29Lunch for all admitted students and their families. A chance to meet each other and talk about the program.
July 7Students are dropped off at Bryant Park and board the bus to Bard College. (If taking your son or daughter to the drop-off point is difficult, we can arrange a pick-up.) Dinner, games/icebreakers, and welcoming ceremony at Bard.
July 8Orientation for students: meet each other and the staff, program rules, a math challenge, and a guest talk about math. Students choose what they want to study.
July 9-13Classes and activities (see below).
July 14Field trip: hiking, picnicking, and swimming at Minnewaska State Park (students may choose to stay on-campus).
July 15Field trip: SplashDown Beach (water park—students may choose to stay on-campus).
July 16-20Classes and activities (see below).
July 21Field trip: Howe Caverns (underground network of caves—students may choose to stay on-campus).
July 22Field trip: Six Flags New England. (Students may choose to stay on-campus.)
July 23-27Classes and activities (see below).
July 28Closing ceremonies. Departure after lunch; students return home.

Choosing Classes and Activities

Each week, you'll choose a different core course. In your core course, you'll get to focus in on a specific topic in advanced mathematics. (These topics are often not taught until college!) You'll get to choose from four different core courses each week.

In addition to your core course, you'll have two hours each day of a problem-solving course designed to build your ability to solve hard math problems. You'll also have one hour each day of self-paced study to help you learn new ways of using math you've learned in school.

In-between classes and in the evenings, we'll run lots of different activities for you to choose between. There will be sports, games, arts and crafts, swimming, a computer lab, baking, dancing, movies, and more. It's your choice how to fill your time!

Daily Schedule (Tuesday-Saturday)

8am-9amBreakfast.
9am-11amCore course.
11am-12pmActivities.
12pm-1pmLunch.
1pm-3pmProblem-solving course.
3pm-4pmActivities.
4pm-6pmCore course continues.
6pm-7pmDinner.
7pm-9pmFree time and activities.
9pm-10pmSelf-paced study.
10pm-10:30pmHall meeting.
10:30pmLights out.

Other Logistics

Students will be housed in Oberholtzer, a dorm on Bard's campus. The dorm has air conditioning. There will be 40 students in the dorms, with girls and boys in separate sections. There will be eight residential counselors living there was well.

Meals will be provided in Bard College's cafeteria. There will be a selection of several different kinds of food for each meal.

Transportation will be provided to religious services that are close to Bard College.

Students will have time to call home regularly, and phones will be available for them if they do not bring cell phones. Parents may visit, but must notify us in advance.

A packing list and other details will be provided in the acceptance packet.

More Information

You can learn more at our About the Program page or on our Page for Parents.

For any questions, please contact us!