The History of IMACS
We present below a brief but accurate history of IMACS. A more detailed accounting of the institute’s history and the extensive research and development that led to its creation can be had from the biography of its senior founder, Burt Kaufman.
1960
Burt Kaufman
High school math teacher Burt Kaufman takes a post-graduate mathematics class at the University of Notre Dame along with other mathematics teachers ... and 25 gifted high school students.
1963
Burt Kaufman
Having been "humbled" by the "quantum leaps" made by gifted students, Burt takes a sabbatical and publishes the Goals for School Mathematics paper, containing a multi-track secondary school mathematics curriculum for talented students.
1964
Textbook Issues
Standard textbooks are proving to be too lacking in rigor to be used effectively. Under the guidance of Professor Robert Davis (Syracuse University and later Rutgers), work begins on a new textbook.
1966
Book 1 is Born
Burt coordinates mathematicians from around the world to produce the first edition of Book 1 of Elements of Mathematics. It's a game changer, a completely new approach to teaching talented students.
1969
Frédérique & Georges Papy
Burt meets mathematicians and educators Frédérique & Georges Papy at a conference in Belgium. A team begins to assemble!
1970
CSMP ... and the Papy Minicomputer
Burt and the Papys begin a years-long collaboration that leads to the publication of the Comprehensive School Mathematics Program (CSMP). Along the way, the Papys introduce what was to become the IMACS Minicomputer.
1974
Ed Martin
From Cambridge University, England, Ed Martin becomes Senior Editor of EM and coordinates the 2nd Edition (later to become the Elements of Mathematics Foundations (EMF) online course).
1978
Project MEGSSS
The Mathematics Education for Gifted Secondary School Students program is created to support the teaching of EM. The MEGSSS program would later provide the impetus for the founding of IMACS.
1985
Iain Ferguson
Computer scientist Iain Ferguson arrives from Bath University, UK, and sets about developing what would become the MEGSSS (and later IMACS) computer science courses.
1990
The Schemer's Guide
The first edition of the 300+ page The Schemers Guide is published. It's heavy "emphasis on fundamentals of good computer programming" is noted in reviews.
1990
Student wins 1st place with American Mathematical Society
As a High School MEGSSS student, Daniel Dugger wins the first place award from the American Mathematical Society for an original research paper.
1993
IMACS is founded
Kaufman, Martin, Ferguson and Burt's son, former IBM'er Terry Kaufman make the EM courses widely available by starting the Institute for Mathematics and Computer Science (IMACS).
2000
IMACS extends class offerings
In addition to elementary-level programs, IMACS extends its reach across all pre-college grade levels with programs like University Computer Science and Logic for Mathematics.
2014
A IMACS student meets Obama
Peyton Robertson, a 12 year-old IMACS student presents his "sandless sandbags" invention to President Obama at the White House. At the news conference, President Obama said "If you can invest in Peyton you should do so now."
2015
Broward County, FL adopts IMACS EMF Program
The 6th largest school district in the USA adopts the IMACS Elements of Mathematics Foundations (EMF) program for their most talented middle schools students. Soon after, Barrington Schools, IL, does the same.
2017
$25K in Scholarships Awarded
IMACS celebrates 25 years of serving talented elementary and secondary school children by awarding more than $25,000 in scholarships to under-served communities in South Florida. In total IMACS has awarded more than $150K in scholarships since 1993.
2018
Small Business Person of the Year
In honor of Small Business Week, the Greater Plantation Chamber of Commerce names IMACS President Terry Kaufman as the 2018 Small Business Person of the Year. IMACS now serves more than 4000 students across the US and in more than 10 countries.
2019
IMACS classes are all online
Just in time for the COVID pandemic, IMACS completes the process of converting all its programs to fully online, with multiple year-round programs and sophisticated student & parent portals!
2021
IMACS continues to grow
As of December 2021, the IMACS mathematics enrichment program is taught to students in every US state and on 6 of 7 continents.
2021
Your child's future is bright
Your child can be just like our current student Albert Wang who was recently admitted to MIT in only his Junior year! It all starts with a free class. The future of IMACS and your talented child starts today.