The Calculus Project April 1, 2019
Brief History Summer 2013 began “Math Scholars” with eight rising 7th grade METCO students and one middle school math teacher Consulted with Adrian Mims, Founder of The Calculus Project in Brookline Spring 2014 Goal- To increase the number of Black, Hispanic and Low-Income students enrolling in higher level mathematics courses at the high schools. Formalized program as The Calculus Project Summer 2014 two cohorts of students- rising 7th and 8th graders
Initial Data: 2014-2015 AP Calculus Enrollment Newton North Newton South White 105 93 Black 2 0 Hispanic or Latino 3 7 Low Income 8 4 Total Enrollment 140 152
Evolution of Criteria and Structure Fall 2016- Advisory Committee formed, revised Mission Statement: The Calculus Project will increase the number of students of color and those who are low income completing Introductory or AP Calculus in Newton high schools. Summer 2017- Begin to charge tuition, sliding scale Fall 2017- Students join program as rising 8th graders rather than as rising 7th graders Summer 2018- Rising 12th graders take NCE course “Bridge to Calculus” Fall 2018- Set expectation that all 9th graders enroll in Accelerated ACP or Honors
Two Components to Program Summer Session, three weeks in July Preview math for upcoming fall course Participate in growth mindset curriculum Attend STEM related field trips, guest speakers, programs in-house After School Support Once or twice per week with math teacher involved with the program Real time help with content: homework, test corrections, studying, etc. Preview for future units as much as possible
Summer Activities 2018 Rising 8th Grade ● Field Trip to Google in Cambridge ● iRobot Presentation/workshop Rising 9th Grade ● Movie: Hidden Figures ● 3 days of ropes course/teambuilding ● 6 hours of computer science course (excel skills and programming) Rising 10th Grade ● Field trip to Akamai in Cambridge ● Field trip to MIT Museum Rising 11th Grade ● Presentation and workshop by MassBay's STEM Division ● Visit and tour of Wentworth
Demographics of 8th to 12th Grade Participants Students Black Hispanic Low-Income 2018-2019 131 47% 39% 44% Academic Year 2019-2020 146 40% 40% 50% Academic Year
Oldest Cohort (now seniors) 11 Students- 8 Black, 3 Hispanic, 2 Low-Income 6 in AP Calculus, AB level 5 Black and 1 Hispanic All averaging a B minus or better in first two terms 2 in Accelerated ACP College or career choices determined in May NSF has offered to host celebration for students and families at end of year
Next Year’s Senior Cohort Recommended Courses: Advanced Placement 3 Students BC Calculus 7 Students AB Calculus Accelerated ACP 10 students Introduction to Calculus/PreCalculus ACP 6 students Pre-Calculus
Funding: Strong Public/Private Partnership Newton Schools Foundation ● Match Program ● STEM Funds New Private donor support available in FY20 an dFY21 NPS provides 0.25 FTE for Coordinator and In-Kind Support Tuition charged on a sliding scale
Changes for this Summer Location- Newton North High School Duration- 3 weeks in July, longer days 9:00 to 2:00 Eight classrooms- 7 returning teachers, one new Rising Seniors who need review/preview are taking NCE course (8:00 to 10:00 am) Rising Seniors who do not need as much preview, TA for program and check in with AP Calc teacher three times per week
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