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Summer Math Clinic

Summer Math Clinic for Fifth through Eleventh Graders

This past June, the TLAC Department sponsored its annual Summer Math Clinic for students in the fifth through eleventh grades. Sponsored and facilitated by the Curtis D. Robert professor, Dr. Gerald Kulm, the clinic provided mathematics development and enrichment by assessing students’ abilities and providing individualized acceleration of their math skills. Dr. Robert M. Capraro directed the clinic, while Dr. Mary Margaret Capraro helped to coordinate the event, both of whom are professors in the TLAC Department.

Certified teachers with training in the diagnosis and advancement of mathematical understanding worked with students each day, both individually and in small groups. Assessment measures such as results from diagnostic tests, TAKS, and other measures were used to determine each student’s tutoring needs. Parents were invited to an exit conference and provided with a detailed report of their child’s progress at the conclusion of the clinic.

Students participated in many stimulating projects and activities during the clinic. In “Patterns and Production”, the patterns had “felt left out and went on strike”, and the students’ mission was to show the patterns how valuable they were and convince them that they were needed (all of which was captured by “news crew MC04”). During “Modeling Aeronautical Technology Hierarchically” (or MATH), students conducted experiments over a three-week period to determine the most effective and efficient paper airplane design and attempted to create a new Guinness World Book record. Students (or campers) seemed to leave with not only a greater understanding of mathematics, but a greater appreciation of mathematics as well:

"This was my first response to my mother's announcement that I'd be attending Math Camp. I was very upset (with) her… I had no idea what a wonderful experience I was to encounter. This Math Camp made me realize what math can do. It made learning easy and fun! When you learn things like standard deviation and slope and look at what you've accomplished, it's great!"
- Lulu Chang, College Station, Texas

While students of all mathematic skill levels benefited from this individualized, one-on-one instructional focus, the tutors (certified middle grades mathematics teachers and those interested in learning more about the middle grades) also benefited. These teachers were able to bring back newly acquired skills to their own school districts, colleagues, and students.

For further information or inquires about the Summer Math Clinic, please contact Dr. Robert M. Capraro at rcapraro@coe.tamu.edu or (979) 845-8007.