A new collaboration between the Medical School and the Boston Public Schools aims to encourage minority students to pursue careers in science. The Summer Math and Science Mentoring Program gives middle school students a chance to do hands-on science, to look at the many career opportunities available, and to gain a head start on academic preparation. Many of these students returned to the Medical School this month for a two-week math camp. The case, which framed the rest of week's classes and field trips, introduced the students to the vestibular system and the mathematical concepts of vectors, velocity, acceleration, and speed. I like the stories.
Someone walks in with symptoms.
I just want to know what's wrong. Her peers agree that the cases, which were developed for middle and high school students by researchers and educators in collaboration with the Medical School's Office for Faculty Development and Diversity, fuel their interest in science and make them want to learn more. In addition to teaching science, math camp also helps students develop literacy skills. Each day the students write about what they have learned in class, what they found interesting, and their feelings on any issues raised in class discussion. And math camp isn't confined to the classroom.