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Three New Year’s Resolutions for Educators

It’s the time of year when we think about changes and improvements for the new year. Here are three that IMACS would be delighted to see on every educator’s list: Teach computer science. The opportunity for American students to learn this increasingly important subject in school is woefully rare. If we want future generations to … Continue Reading

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Alternatives to Math Competitions for the Dreamer Child

The benefits of math competitions are well known: focusing on goals, dealing with pressure, learning teamwork, and building friendships are among those typically mentioned. Math competitions also allow for the much needed celebration of intellectual achievement the way athletic achievement has always been celebrated. At IMACS, many of our math enrichment students enjoy competing in … Continue Reading

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Family Raises Mathematical Talent to the Third Power With IMACS

When you hear the name Newton and math together, you probably think of Sir Isaac. At IMACS we think of Paula Newton and her family whose mathematical talents have flourished for three generations. Their story begins in the 1960s when Paula was a gifted math student at Nova High School under the tutelage of IMACS co-founder Burt … Continue Reading

The Answer to “Why?”

This blog post offers simple advice on how to address the ultimate question in a way that stimulates logical reasoning and critical thinking skills. It can be endearing, or at times downright frustrating – that eternal question, “why?” When bright children discover that single word, they seem to grab onto it and won’t let go. … Continue Reading

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IMACS Success Spotlight: Erin Greig

Erin discovered IMACS in second grade and went on to excel in Math Enrichment as well as university-level courses in Computer Science and Mathematical Logic. With a 35 on the ACT, 1540 on the SAT, and AP International Diploma, Erin graduated high school summa cum laude and was honored as a National Merit Finalist and … Continue Reading

Thinking with Logical Creativity

Can you link all nine dots using four or fewer straight lines, without lifting your finger and without tracing the same line more than once? We all understand what is meant when a person exclaims, “That’s so creative!” This is a typical reaction to a new and often pleasing, useful or clever idea. It might … Continue Reading

IMACS Success Spotlight: Isabella Yeung

Isabella discovered IMACS through the Logic Puzzles class at Hi-Tech Summer Camp just before fourth grade. She went on to excel in Math Enrichment, Electronics, university-level courses in Computer Science, and EMF Math. In addition to graduating first in her class as a National Merit Finalist with 13 APs, Isabella also earned an AA degree, … Continue Reading

Slowing Down to Get Ahead in Math

The classrooms that produce high achieving students are those in which students work on deep, rich mathematics through tasks that they can take to any level they want. No one is told what level they can reach and no one is held back by narrow questions that limit students’ mathematical development and creativity. —Jo Boaler, … Continue Reading

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IMACS Success Spotlight: Cole Travers

Cole started IMACS Math Enrichment in first grade. He went on to attend multiple Hi-Tech Summer Camps and excelled in University Computer Science I and II, AP Computer Science A: Java Programming, and EMF Math. As a National Merit Finalist with straight A’s, Cole was selected as one of his high school’s valedictorians. He scored … Continue Reading

Gifted Students Need Strong Study Habits Too

Developing good study habits before entering college is an essential skill that many gifted and talented children and their parents overlook. Some parents are often surprised to learn that their bright child can ace a schedule of honors or Advanced Placement courses with little studying. They might assume that if their child is receiving top … Continue Reading

IMACS Success Spotlight: Zachary Hardgrave

As a bright and talented third grader, Zachary needed more of a challenge. He found IMACS and thrived in Math Enrichment classes, University Computer Science courses, and multiple sessions of Hi-Tech Summer Camp. Zachary went on to graduate high school with a 4.85 GPA, 1570 on the SAT, and 35 on the ACT while earning … Continue Reading

Challenging the Talented Child

Burt Kaufman, one of the foremost American mathematics curriculum developers of the last half-century, once made an observation that resonates with many educators of bright and talented children. It was that good grades obtained through little or no effort ultimately lead to poor study habits and general intellectual laziness. Even parents of children enrolled in … Continue Reading

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IMACS Success Spotlight: Shiva Oswal

A long-time homeschooler, Shiva started taking IMACS online courses at age 10 with the Elements of Mathematics: Foundations program. He went on to complete University Computer Science I and II, AP Computer Science A and Advanced Topics, and Logic for Mathematics I and II. Shiva scored a perfect 800 on the math section of the … Continue Reading

Pale blue background. 4x4 chess grid with 3 out of 8 pieces correctly placed. Text box that reads “Where do the other 5 pieces go?

Who thinks chess math games are the best? Tough one!

Ava and Bianca were bored on a rainy afternoon. Ava, who loved math and language arts equally and had a very impressive vocabulary, challenged Bianca to give her any math-related word to define. Ava said, “Bianca, I’ll bet you a quarter that I can give you a definition for any word that a mathematician might … Continue Reading

Grace Hancock Spotlight

IMACS Success Spotlight: Grace Hancock

Grace started Primary Enrichment at IMACS in first grade and continued with Math Enrichment and university-level Mathematical Logic classes. She was among the first students in the country to complete EMF Math through her public middle school. In addition to scoring 1570 on the SAT, 35 on the ACT, and graduating summa cum laude with … Continue Reading