Summary for 2003 Summer Program for Gifted and High Ability Students
The Center for Mathematical Services offered two programs for gifted and
high-achieving secondary students from Brevard, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco,
and Pinellas counties during the summer of 2003. The program involved 103
students.
Description of Programs
- Mathematics and Science Summer Program — This program (the
25th annual edition) was designed for gifted/high-achieving students from
grades eight through ten and had a first-year and a second-year component. The
59 students received instruction in HTML and JavaScript computer programming,
basic foundations of mathematics, astronomy, and environmental issues.
- Mathematics and Engineering Program — This program (the 25th
annual edition) was designed for 10th, 11th and 12th grade gifted and
high-achieving high school students. It had 35 first-year and 9 second-year
participants. The students were instructed in number theory, computational
linear algebra, C++ computer programming, and engineering science. Second-year
students received instruction in linear algebra and Maple programming and
committed their afternoon to the Science Lab Program by working in the research
labs of select faculty from chemistry, civil engineering, computer engineering,
industrial and management systems engineering, mathematics, or physics.
Core Goals for Both Programs
- To increase the knowledge and conceptual understanding of high ability
students in the areas of mathematics, physical and life sciences, engineering,
and computer science.
- To help the students develop analytical thinking skills.
- To help the students develop creative thinking and problem solving
skills.
- To excite the minds and spirits of young high ability students to pursue
further study in areas of mathematics, science, engineering, and computer
science.
- To educate students regarding careers in mathematics, science, and computer
science.
Duration
Five weeks in the Summer of 2003 beginning on June 5. Each day from 9:00 AM
until 3:00 PM.
Staffing
Faculty and Graduate Assistants from the Departments of Biology, Chemistry,
and Mathematics were the primary instructors for the programs. Other faculty and
graduate assistants from the College of Arts and Sciences and Engineering served
in the programs as mentors for students and as lab assistants. The programs were
administered by the Center for Mathematical Services at USF.
Programs Statistics
(Figures Represent Students Completing the Program)
| Category |
Grade Level |
 |
8th |
9th |
10th |
11th |
12th |
|
| First-Year Participants |
27 |
10 |
24 |
10 |
3 |
| Second-Year Participants |
|
18 |
2 |
6 |
3 |
| Total Participants |
27 |
28 |
26 |
16 |
6 |
|
| Male |
10 |
11 |
14 |
11 |
6 |
| Female |
17 |
17 |
12 |
5 |
|
|
| Hillsborough |
24 |
22 |
21 |
13 |
5 |
| Pasco |
2 |
4 |
1 |
3 |
|
| Pinellas |
1 |
|
4 |
|
|
| Manatee |
|
2 |
|
|
|
| Brevard |
|
|
|
|
1 |
Evaluation of the Programs
Evaluations of the programs were accomplished by pre-tests and post-tests and
by a Program Evaluation Questionnaire given to all students at the end of the
programs. The questionnaire sought input as to whether the goals and objectives
of the programs were accomplished. The results of the tests and questionnaires
were very positive and indicate that all three programs were successful.
Funding for the Programs
The programs are funded by a grant from the Academy of Applied Science.
Additionally, funding from the Institute for Biomolecular Science and the College
of Arts and Sciences was received. The Departments of Biology and Mathematics,
the Colleges of Arts and Sciences, and the University of South Florida provided
laboratory space, computer labs, classrooms, recreational facilities, books, and
other items.