Mathworks establishing Intel Scholars Program
Posted by Jayme Blaschke
University News Service
October 8, 2007
The $30,000 grant will provide scholarships for students to attend the Honors Summer Math Camp (HSMC) and also supports Intel Scholars to work on the Mathworks Curriculum Project. In addition, this grant establishes the “Intel Colloquium Series” that will bring in outstanding guest lecturers to speak at the HSMC.
Texas Mathworks is a center for mathematics education at Texas State that develops model programs and self-sustaining learning communities that engage Texas K-12 students from all backgrounds in doing mathematics at a high level.
The HSMC is the flagship program of Mathworks, with 75 students and counselors participating each summer in an intensive mathematics program. The HSMC has been recognized by the American Math Society Epsilon Fund as one of the top mathematics programs in the country for the past five years. Mathworks was honored by Governor Perry as one of five programs in Texas to receive the 2001 Texas Higher Education Star Award for Closing the Gaps, in recognition of its success in raising the mathematics level for all students, particularly underserved groups.
The Intel Grant also supports developing and piloting new mathematics curriculum for middle school mathematics students. The curriculum extends the Mathworks summer camp curriculum to a full school-year program for 6th and 7th graders that introduces young students to algebra and higher-level mathematics. The curriculum is being piloted in San Marcos CISD, New Braunfels ISD, McAllen ISD, Eanes ISD, and at St. Michael’s School in St. Michael’s, Ariz. The curriculum authors are Max Warshauer, Hiroko Warshauer, and Terry McCabe.
Intel, in collaboration with educators and government leaders worldwide, is committed to helping today’s students develop the higher-level thinking skills they need to participate and succeed in a knowledge-based economy. Other major initiatives include the Intel Science Talent Search and the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, which recognizes students for outstanding scientific research. For more information, visit www.intel.com/education.
The Intel Scholars Program in partnership with Texas Mathworks will develop a cadre of future scientists and leaders from school throughout Texas. For more information about this and other Mathworks programs see the web at www.txstate.edu/mathworks, or call (512) 245-3439.