Math Contest Camp-2006

For students entering 6th-8th grade

Dates:  July 9-July 14, 2006

on the Campus of Southwest Baptist University


In summer 2006, Dr. Kevin Hopkins did a summer program focusing on math contests on the campus of Southwest Baptist University.  Twenty five campers attended.  They were from a variety of places:  4 were from Bolivar, 4 were from the Springfield area, 2 were from Mississippi, 1 from Oklahoma, 4 from Northwest Missouri, 3 from Southeast Missouri, 2 from Southcentral Missouri, 2 from Central Missouri, and 3 from the St. Louis area.  There were 4 going into 5 grade, 11 going into 6th grade, 4 going into 7th grade, 5 going into 8th grade, and 1 going into 10th grade (came with a younger sibling).  We also had 4 counselors, in addition to the camp director.  A group photo is posted here.

Early in the week I posted photos of the event to let parents check up on the camp and to adverstise for 2007 (go here to see future plans for the camp).  I have posted brief information on the specific activities at the camp.  The camp concluded with a show for parents that gives a good overview of how the camp went.  I am posting evaluation results as those are returned.  I last updated this site on July 24, 2006.

Math Contest Problems

Who can Come?

Since MATHCOUNTS® is the target audience, the camp is aimed at s tudents entering grades 6-8.  Students entering 5th grade with a very strong math background (determined via "placement" exam) may attend and students entering grade 9 who are still interested in these topics may attend.  If the camp reaches 24 or more students, a second math teacher will be involved and the group can be split by ability levels to offer all campers an opportunity for success and challenge at the camp.

Do I have to know something about Math Contests?

No.  In fact you don't even have to enjoy the competition aspect of math contests.  You do need to enjoy math, as that will be the focus of our time.  Math contests will be the source of the kinds of math problems we look at.  Looking at math contest problems you will see a wide variety of math topics that are not usually covered in the Middle School classroom, so be prepared to see and learn new mathematics.  We will spend time looking at the problems, learning how to do problems that are new to people.

You will develop creativity (needed for solving problems), discipline, and self-confidence as you learn new (difficult) things.  Problem solving (especially problem solving under pressure) is a valuable life skill and that skill is developed by math contests.  We will have opportunities to practice these skills as we will simulate some contests.  You will do some work with others at the camp to learn from, and be challenged by, your peers.  With all the skills mentioned, we are working on developing these skills so you do not need to possess all these skills to come and enjoy the camp.

What are Dr. Hopkins' Qualifications?

Dr. Hopkins has a Ph.D. in mathematics from the University of Illinois.  He has taught at Southwest Baptist University since Jan. 1989, and has been chair of the mathematics department since May 1989.  In 2000, a student approached him about SBU hosting a math contest .  In 2006, we will be hosting our 7th annual contest and are expecting over 500 on two dates.  He has put together a webpage with links to a variety of contests .  In 2003, he approached Bolivar Middle School about starting a math contest club to help students prepare for MATHCOUNTS ® .  In the 2005 competition, in our second year of existance, the team from Bolivar finished 4th (narrowly missing qualifying for state) at the regional competition.  One student did qualify for state.  This same student had qualified for the MCTM state contest in 4th-6th grade and placed every year.  That is Dr. Hopkins' son, so he has a personal, as well as professional, interest in preparing students for math contests.  In the 2006 competition, two students from Bolivar qualified for state MATHCOUNTS.  One of those finished twelth in the state.  He also ran into some former students there.

In summer 2004 and 2005, Dr. Hopkins taught a class similar to this camp in Drury University's Summerscape Program , a program for middle school students who have been identified as gifted.  He had good success from that and is looking to bring a course like that to the SBU campus in the summer of 2006.  In summers 1993-1999, he directed a series of weeklong summer workshops for about 450 teachers total.  Some of these workshops involved the use of technology in teaching mathematics.  Others involved the use of internet for math and science teachers.  He has presented over 40 papers at state and regional conferences, such as Missouri Council of Teachers of Mathematics, National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, and Gifted Association of Missouri.  One of these talks was about his experiences as a MATHCOUNTS coach and evaluation results from the 2004 Summerscape class are included there .  He has graded AP Calculus exams for one week in the summer in 2002-2006 (see pictures from 2003 , 2005 , 2006 ).   May 2006, he graded International Baccalaureate exams for his first time.  He also enjoys singing math songs .  

Costs

The cost is $350 for the week.  That includes room (3 students per dorm room), board, T-shirt, class photo, and activities.  Should students wish to commute to the camp (and not stay in the dorms overnight), the cost will be $300 for the week.  A $100 deposit is due with the application form . A detailed information sheet (where, what to bring, telephone #'s, etc.) will be sent upon receiving your application.  This is the first year for the camp.  Sufficient applicants are needed by May 15, 2006 to proceed with the camp.  The deposit will be returned if there are not sufficient applications received by May 15.  Cancellations after May 15 may not have the deposit returned.  Applications and deposits will be accepted until camp begins if space remains. 

Typical Daily schedule

8-8:45 breakfast
9-11:30            Class and activities in classroom (in McClelland Dining facility, or the Wheeler Science Building)
11:30-1           Lunch and a break
1-3:30              Class
3:30-5:00             Recreation time (SBU has a Wellness Center with a pool, gym, and rock climbing wall).  Dr. Hopkins will be hiring someone to handle the non-math aspects of the camp who can be sure there is sufficient FUN time.  But, you should only come to the camp if DOING MATH is FUN, as that will be the major focus of the camp.
5:30-6:30             Dinner
6:30-7:30             Math relay or group game
7:30-8:00           
Free time or Worship (a Christian worship service, with a band and some speaker with mathematics background will be planned for some, if not every, evening).
8-10                  Computer lab time  (Thursday night a talent show)
11
 Lights Out.   Students will be housed in Meyer Dorm, three campers per room.  There will be a floor for male campers and a separate floor for female campers.  There will be dorm workers supervising the students in the dorm at night.
All meals, rooms, instruction and recreation will be on the campus of Southwest Baptist University.  Some recreation time will be in the Meyer Wellness Center where there is a pool, racquetball courts, basketball courts, and a rock climbing wall.

Campers should arrive 4 p.m. Sunday, July 9,  at a pizza supper and then a worship service, get acquainted time.  Camp will conclude at 11 a.m. Friday, July 14.  There will be a closing ceremony Friday 10-11 a.m.

Location

The camp will be held on the campus of Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, MO, but is not sponsored by SBU.  It is the personal work of Dr. Hopkins, Chair of the Mathematics Department at Southwest Baptist University.  January 15, 2006 is the deadline for finalizing the contract with the campus conference center to have this camp on these dates. Bolivar is 130 miles from Kansas City, 190 miles from St. Louis, and 25 miles north of Springfield.  The Lake of the Ozarks and Branson are nearby attractions families could visit before or after dropping their camper off.

Although not officially sponsoring the camp, Southwest Baptist University is the location of the facilities.  Offering Christian higher education since 1878, Southwest Baptist University serves an enrollment of 3,400 students with graduate and undergraduate programs.  The views or beliefs set forth in this web page do not necessarily reflect the views and beliefs of Southwest Baptist University.

What about Teachers?

Since MATHCOUNTS ® teams are in existence already at many schools, it is possible that a coach might want to come to camp with their team.   Teachers might want to come without a team, just to learn from the camp.  Teachers have three options:   If any teacher is interested in attending to learn or to help, please contact me at khopkins@sbuniv.edu , so I can know that while I work on finalizing camp details.

What Other Math Activities will we do?

I have lots of ideas that I am thinking about.  Part of what we do will depend on the size of the camp, the interest of the campers, and the interest of any teacher/helpers there might be.  Some of my ideas are to look at math games (like Set, Xactika, Nim, Twenty Four, and Pig), geoboard, logic activities, geometry activities (even on computers), statistics activities (even on computers), mathematical magic, sudukos, build polyhedra, do origami, learn about tesselations, measure tall buildings, learn about animation, sing math songs and write math stories, try our hand at logic puzzles, and investigate deciphering codes.

Does it Sound Interesting?

I hope so.  I really feel that God is opening up many doors for me to pursue this dream.  I think there are students in Missouri and beyond who would love the opportunities provided by this camp.  Feel free to contact me ( khopkins@sbuniv.edu ) if you have any suggestions to make and perhaps I can incorporate them as I work on the details for the camp.  You may also call him at (417) 328-1675 or fax him at (417) 328-2091.

How do I apply?

An application form and liability release form is available here.  At the time of application a $100 deposit will be required.   Dr. Hopkins has determined that sufficient numbers need to apply by May 15 for the camp to proceed.  If low numbers force the cancellation of the camp at this time, the deposit will be returned.  If a camper cancels after May 15, the deposit may not be returned as commitments (and expenses) will already be made based on that reservation.  If numbers are sufficient to offer the camp and additional space remains, applications (with the deposit) will be received until the camp begins.


Math Contest Camp is not sponsored by, or affiliated with, the MATHCOUNTS ® Foundation.


This camp is the personal work of Dr. Hopkins. This page is produced by Dr. Kevin W. Hopkins of Southwest Baptist University .  It was last modified on June 19, 2006.