MathZoom Summer Camp
Go back to the Math Jam ArchiveDr. Kevin Wang, Math Zoom program director, describes the MathZoom Summer Camp 2007, hosted at UC San Diego from Aug 13 to Aug 31.
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Facilitator: Dr. Kevin Wang
DrKevin (21:57:21)
Hello, my name is Kevin Wang, and welcome to the MathZoom Math Jam!
DrKevin (21:57:35)
Before we get started I would like to take a moment to explain our Virtual Classroom to those who have not previously participated in a Math Jam or one of our online classes.
DrKevin (21:57:45)
First of all, this classroom is moderated. This means that the messages you type will come to the instructors rather than going directly into the room. The instructors will choose some of the messages and questions to share with all of the students.
DrKevin (21:57:59)
Next, only the instructors have the ability to send private messages in the classroom. Sometimes they will use these to respond privately to your comments.
DrKevin (21:58:12)
There will likely be a lot of questions, so please keep your questions on-topic and to-the-point.
DrKevin (21:58:47)
This is Kevin Wang. I am the Program Director of the MathZoom Summer Camp. I am also the very first IMO participant from China. I will be an instructor at MOSP this year.
DrKevin (21:59:06)
The MathZoom Summer Camp this year will be held at University of California, San Diego.
DrKevin (21:59:20)
It is a three-week residential camp. It starts on August 13, and ends on August 31.
DrKevin (21:59:43)
The Camp offers an opportunity for bright and mathematically gifted students to expand their mathematical horizon, improve problem solving skills, and explore areas in advanced mathematics.
DrKevin (21:59:57)
The Academic Curriculum is geared towards preparing students for mathematical contests such as AMC, MATHCOUNTS, AIME, USAMO, and IMO.
DrKevin (22:00:11)
I will be the head coach for this Camp. Zuming Feng, the US national IMO team leader and head coach, will come to the Camp to teach for one week. He and I are both responsible for developing and reviewing the academic curriculum.
DrKevin (22:00:40)
We invited people who have extensive experiences in math competitions and math coaching as the Camp faculty.
Luba (22:00:57)
How is this program different from, for instance, MathPath? I am considering several options for this summer.
DrKevin (22:01:00)
The setup of the programs encourages student participation, helps improve communication and leadership skills.
DrKevin (22:01:37)
We train the students to become not only smarter problem solvers, but also better communicators.
DrKevin (22:02:14)
Good question. I will cover that in a bit
DrKevin (22:03:12)
We have also arranged great Evening Seminars focusing on introduction to advanced mathematics topics, preview of college majors and professional careers that require strong mathematical foundation.
DrKevin (22:04:45)
Our curriculum is comparable to AwesomeMath's
DrKevin (22:05:04)
The focus is on problem solving techniques.
DrKevin (22:05:27)
except that AwesomeMath focuses more on the advanced levels like AIME and USAMO.
DrKevin (22:05:35)
Our emphasis include the advanced levels as well as AMC and MATHCOUNTS. We split the students into basic and advanced groups, based on their experiences.
DrKevin (22:05:48)
Also, as I mentioned earlier, we put efforts on developing leadership and communication skills. Our evening seminars on college and careers and advanced math topics are special features.
DrKevin (22:06:02)
Richard Rusczyk, Founder of Art of Problem Solving, will give a seminar on careers in the financial industry. Richard worked as a bond trader for D.E. Shaw & Company for four years.
DrKevin (22:06:44)
Bruce Arnold, Director of Mathematics Testing and Placement, will talk about UCSD admission requirements, colleges, graduation requirements, and math majors.
Luba (22:07:15)
What ages/grades is the program most suitable for?
DrKevin (22:07:59)
We encourage 7-11 graders to apply. Exceptions can be made for 6 graders if they show sufficient maturity both mathematically and socially.
DrKevin (22:08:30)
We had a 6th grader for our Winter Camp last December, and he did really well.
marsmaster (22:09:40)
What are the living arrangements?
DrKevin (22:10:43)
There will be a mentor for each 9 students. The mentors lives with the students in the apartments. Two students share a room, and each apartment has 5 rooms. The apartments are separated by gender and age.
kingsword (22:11:25)
Will there be a test for admission?
DrKevin (22:12:23)
Yes, it is available for download at http://www.mathzoom.com/mathcamp_test.html
DrKevin (22:12:42)
The admission test serves mainly as an assessment for your experiences. With your solutions, we can have a better idea about where you stand, so we can give better assistance for your improvement.
DrKevin (22:13:05)
If you qualified for AIME, then you don't have to take the admission test. Or if you got over 100 points in AMC 10 or 12. Or over 16 points in AMC 8. Otherwise, you are required to take the test.
DrKevin (22:13:15)
Of course, if you belong to the above categories for which the admission test is waived, you are still encouraged to submit it.
marsmaster (22:13:50)
What's the daily schedule?
DrKevin (22:14:28)
A typical day at MathZoom: Breakfast is between 7:15am and 8am; morning classes (lecture and problem session); lunch from 12 to 1pm; afternoon classes (lecture and problem session); dinner from 5:30pm to 6:30pm; evening seminars 6:30pm to 8pm. After 8pm is relaxing or self-study time. Lights-out 11pm.
DrKevin (22:14:47)
There will be sports and recreation time in the afternoon. The time schedule may still be adjusted.
funcia (22:16:13)
if a student got a...say 16 in 2005 amc 8 officially can they use this for 2007 mathzoom?
DrKevin (22:18:23)
Yes, we will accept that; however, he/she is likely to have attended AMC10 by now, and we would prefer to have latest scores as well.
marsmaster (22:19:40)
What's the deadline for application?
DrKevin (22:20:28)
The deadline is May 8. Applications after May 8 will be considered on case-by-case basis.
DrKevin (22:21:40)
Exceptions can be made for those who got the information after the deadline, though.
DrKevin (22:22:46)
Any other questions?
Luba (22:23:09)
How is MathZoom different from MathPath?
DrKevin (22:25:38)
On the matter of problem solving, the goals are similar. We have different features.
DrKevin (22:26:05)
MathPath is targeted mainly for grades 6-8.
DrKevin (22:28:17)
Problem solving is not their main focus. Contest practice is a light session during the MathPath day. We are focused on problem solving for math contests.
DrKevin (22:30:04)
As I mentioned, we have arranged seminars on advanced math topics, preview of math related college majors
DrKevin (22:30:24)
college admission related information
DrKevin (22:30:57)
and career prospects for math talents.
kingsword (22:32:12)
Do you have financial aids?
DrKevin (22:33:01)
Financial aids are available for low-income families. You need to email mathcamp@mathzoom.com for details.
DrKevin (22:33:57)
Any further questions?
funcia (22:34:13)
No, thanks.
DrKevin (22:35:12)
OK, that's it then. Thank you for coming to this Math Jam! You can always visit http://www.mathzoom.com or email mathcamp@mathzoom.com for more information.
Luba (22:35:42)
thank you
DrKevin (22:35:51)
Have a good evening!
Hello, my name is Kevin Wang, and welcome to the MathZoom Math Jam!
DrKevin (21:57:35)
Before we get started I would like to take a moment to explain our Virtual Classroom to those who have not previously participated in a Math Jam or one of our online classes.
DrKevin (21:57:45)
First of all, this classroom is moderated. This means that the messages you type will come to the instructors rather than going directly into the room. The instructors will choose some of the messages and questions to share with all of the students.
DrKevin (21:57:59)
Next, only the instructors have the ability to send private messages in the classroom. Sometimes they will use these to respond privately to your comments.
DrKevin (21:58:12)
There will likely be a lot of questions, so please keep your questions on-topic and to-the-point.
DrKevin (21:58:47)
This is Kevin Wang. I am the Program Director of the MathZoom Summer Camp. I am also the very first IMO participant from China. I will be an instructor at MOSP this year.
DrKevin (21:59:06)
The MathZoom Summer Camp this year will be held at University of California, San Diego.
DrKevin (21:59:20)
It is a three-week residential camp. It starts on August 13, and ends on August 31.
DrKevin (21:59:43)
The Camp offers an opportunity for bright and mathematically gifted students to expand their mathematical horizon, improve problem solving skills, and explore areas in advanced mathematics.
DrKevin (21:59:57)
The Academic Curriculum is geared towards preparing students for mathematical contests such as AMC, MATHCOUNTS, AIME, USAMO, and IMO.
DrKevin (22:00:11)
I will be the head coach for this Camp. Zuming Feng, the US national IMO team leader and head coach, will come to the Camp to teach for one week. He and I are both responsible for developing and reviewing the academic curriculum.
DrKevin (22:00:40)
We invited people who have extensive experiences in math competitions and math coaching as the Camp faculty.
Luba (22:00:57)
How is this program different from, for instance, MathPath? I am considering several options for this summer.
DrKevin (22:01:00)
The setup of the programs encourages student participation, helps improve communication and leadership skills.
DrKevin (22:01:37)
We train the students to become not only smarter problem solvers, but also better communicators.
DrKevin (22:02:14)
Good question. I will cover that in a bit
DrKevin (22:03:12)
We have also arranged great Evening Seminars focusing on introduction to advanced mathematics topics, preview of college majors and professional careers that require strong mathematical foundation.
DrKevin (22:04:45)
Our curriculum is comparable to AwesomeMath's
DrKevin (22:05:04)
The focus is on problem solving techniques.
DrKevin (22:05:27)
except that AwesomeMath focuses more on the advanced levels like AIME and USAMO.
DrKevin (22:05:35)
Our emphasis include the advanced levels as well as AMC and MATHCOUNTS. We split the students into basic and advanced groups, based on their experiences.
DrKevin (22:05:48)
Also, as I mentioned earlier, we put efforts on developing leadership and communication skills. Our evening seminars on college and careers and advanced math topics are special features.
DrKevin (22:06:02)
Richard Rusczyk, Founder of Art of Problem Solving, will give a seminar on careers in the financial industry. Richard worked as a bond trader for D.E. Shaw & Company for four years.
DrKevin (22:06:44)
Bruce Arnold, Director of Mathematics Testing and Placement, will talk about UCSD admission requirements, colleges, graduation requirements, and math majors.
Luba (22:07:15)
What ages/grades is the program most suitable for?
DrKevin (22:07:59)
We encourage 7-11 graders to apply. Exceptions can be made for 6 graders if they show sufficient maturity both mathematically and socially.
DrKevin (22:08:30)
We had a 6th grader for our Winter Camp last December, and he did really well.
marsmaster (22:09:40)
What are the living arrangements?
DrKevin (22:10:43)
There will be a mentor for each 9 students. The mentors lives with the students in the apartments. Two students share a room, and each apartment has 5 rooms. The apartments are separated by gender and age.
kingsword (22:11:25)
Will there be a test for admission?
DrKevin (22:12:23)
Yes, it is available for download at http://www.mathzoom.com/mathcamp_test.html
DrKevin (22:12:42)
The admission test serves mainly as an assessment for your experiences. With your solutions, we can have a better idea about where you stand, so we can give better assistance for your improvement.
DrKevin (22:13:05)
If you qualified for AIME, then you don't have to take the admission test. Or if you got over 100 points in AMC 10 or 12. Or over 16 points in AMC 8. Otherwise, you are required to take the test.
DrKevin (22:13:15)
Of course, if you belong to the above categories for which the admission test is waived, you are still encouraged to submit it.
marsmaster (22:13:50)
What's the daily schedule?
DrKevin (22:14:28)
A typical day at MathZoom: Breakfast is between 7:15am and 8am; morning classes (lecture and problem session); lunch from 12 to 1pm; afternoon classes (lecture and problem session); dinner from 5:30pm to 6:30pm; evening seminars 6:30pm to 8pm. After 8pm is relaxing or self-study time. Lights-out 11pm.
DrKevin (22:14:47)
There will be sports and recreation time in the afternoon. The time schedule may still be adjusted.
funcia (22:16:13)
if a student got a...say 16 in 2005 amc 8 officially can they use this for 2007 mathzoom?
DrKevin (22:18:23)
Yes, we will accept that; however, he/she is likely to have attended AMC10 by now, and we would prefer to have latest scores as well.
marsmaster (22:19:40)
What's the deadline for application?
DrKevin (22:20:28)
The deadline is May 8. Applications after May 8 will be considered on case-by-case basis.
DrKevin (22:21:40)
Exceptions can be made for those who got the information after the deadline, though.
DrKevin (22:22:46)
Any other questions?
Luba (22:23:09)
How is MathZoom different from MathPath?
DrKevin (22:25:38)
On the matter of problem solving, the goals are similar. We have different features.
DrKevin (22:26:05)
MathPath is targeted mainly for grades 6-8.
DrKevin (22:28:17)
Problem solving is not their main focus. Contest practice is a light session during the MathPath day. We are focused on problem solving for math contests.
DrKevin (22:30:04)
As I mentioned, we have arranged seminars on advanced math topics, preview of math related college majors
DrKevin (22:30:24)
college admission related information
DrKevin (22:30:57)
and career prospects for math talents.
kingsword (22:32:12)
Do you have financial aids?
DrKevin (22:33:01)
Financial aids are available for low-income families. You need to email mathcamp@mathzoom.com for details.
DrKevin (22:33:57)
Any further questions?
funcia (22:34:13)
No, thanks.
DrKevin (22:35:12)
OK, that's it then. Thank you for coming to this Math Jam! You can always visit http://www.mathzoom.com or email mathcamp@mathzoom.com for more information.
Luba (22:35:42)
thank you
DrKevin (22:35:51)
Have a good evening!
Copyright © 2025 AoPS Incorporated. This page is copyrighted material. You can view and print this page for your own use, but you cannot share the contents of this file with others.
