When Claire-Anya first came to IMACS in 4th grade, math wasn’t her favorite subject. In fact, she lacked confidence in her mathematical abilities. Her parents discovered IMACS through colleagues of her father’s and decided to see whether a math enrichment program with a different approach might make a difference. It did. Finding Confidence Through Challenge … Continue Reading
As Artificial Intelligence (AI) becomes increasingly integrated into everyday life, children are engaging with these powerful tools in school and at home. AI-driven educational apps, search engines, and homework aids promise to ease learning and enhance academic performance. But when it comes to AI and critical thinking in gifted children, are these shortcuts coming at … Continue Reading
Are times tables and worksheets really the best way to teach math? According to Dr. Andrew Sack — university mathematician and IMACS graduate — the answer is no. In a short, powerful video, Dr. Sack explains why traditional math instruction often misses the mark, and how we can do better for our kids. What If … Continue Reading
Embracing the Benefits of Online Enrichment Programs As education continues to evolve, the acceptance and integration of online education platforms have transformed how students engage with enrichment programs. While traditional classroom settings remain vital, many online programs have emerged stronger, offering unique advantages that enhance the learning experience. At IMACS, we’ve been committed to providing … Continue Reading
Have you ever been asked for homework help and or offered to help someone with theirs? Most parents worldwide have been on both sides of this situation. In a thought-provoking article published in The New York Times titled “But I Want to Do Your Homework,” Judith Newman shares her experience of overediting her 12-year-old son’s … Continue Reading
In a world driven by technology and innovation, the need for diverse voices from women in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) field has never been more critical. While great strides have been made towards gender equality, there is still a gender gap in STEM careers. According to a 2023 study done by MIT, … Continue Reading
IMACS parent and world-renowned college counseling expert, certified educational planner, and author of several books on such topics, Mandee Heller Adler, took the time to visit our corporate office and to write the following testimonial to express her gratitude for the role IMACS played in her daughter’s life. As my oldest daughter, Rebecca, heads to … Continue Reading
At IMACS, we’re committed to providing the best STEM education for kids. That’s why we were thrilled to hear about Emily’s experience with our Math Enrichment classes. Emily, an HR operations director, her husband Brian, an iOS app developer, and their twin 7-year-old boys live in St. Louis, MO. The boys have had a blast … Continue Reading
Everything you need to know to ace every level of the AMC competition. The American Mathematics Competitions (AMC) are the first step toward becoming one of America’s top math students and advancing to elite contests such as the Mathematical Olympiad. But the AMC is much more than just a pathway to national recognition. For many … Continue Reading
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
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
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
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
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
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