Pacific Institute for the Mathematical Sciences - PIMS

Hosted for a Fourth year by PIMS, Diversity in Mathematics is part of a multi-year, multi-level program geared towards promoting diversity and inclusivity in STEM. The highlights of the week program include:

(a) An interactive math day camp for high school students from groups that are consistently under-represented in the STEM fields. The aim is to increase their representation and retention at post-secondary institutions in STEM fields. More on eligibility and application process below.

(b) An interactive math day camp for Indigenous students transitioning into the precalculus stream of math courses in high school. Students will spend the mornings mastering essential mathematical understandings and critical-thinking skills necessary to succeed in high school. During the afternoons students will explore applications of mathematics with integrated Indigenous knowledge.

A stable support network can enhance minority representation in STEM fields. The program will not just teach exciting math, but also showcase role models and create a self-sustaining support system by training future leaders.

Core Values of the Summer Camp:

Respect:

Camp participants are expected to respect all people involved in the Diversity of Mathematics summer camp, including themselves, other camp participants, teachers, the camp coordinators and university faculty and staff.

Participation:

The camp participants are expected to wholeheartedly participate in all camp activities. This includes listening to teachers, supervisors, and other presenters; completing all required work to the best of their abilities, and following and complying with all instructions given by the camp coordinator.

Attitude:

The camp participants are expected to maintain a positive and friendly attitude throughout the virtual camp.

Safety:

The Diversity of Mathematics summer camp is a safe and fun virtual meeting for all its participants. Any kind of unethical online behaviour such as cyber-bullying, online harassment, social media teasing, or behaviour that in any way threatens the safety of others and/or themselves will not be tolerated.

Attendance: The camp participants are expected to present themselves online on time, and attend all sessions with their faces visible to the camp coordinator and camp instructors. Participants who join after 9:30 AM Pacific will be considered late. 

A) High School Diversity in Math Day Camp

Are you in grade 11 or 12? Do you find math stimulating and fun? Do you want to challenge yourself and learn more math but are not sure how to? Do you wonder if and how math would be helpful for a future career? Do you want to meet new friends from diverse backgrounds who are interested in pursuing STEM majors? Do you want to be part of the community that promotes diversity and inclusivity in STEM fields? If the answer is yes, then this camp is for you!

The main goal of the online camp is to provide an opportunity to a group of high school students with diverse backgrounds to explore their talents and further develop their mathematical skills in a collaborative and encouraging environment as highlighted below.

Highlights of the camp:

1. You will explore higher level math topics that are not part of regular school curricula. Math professors who are experts in these mathematical areas will present all material in a way that is accessible and understandable to high school students. Instructors include:

Elana Kalashnikov (Harvard University/University of Waterloo)

Delilah Gates (Harvard University/Princeton University)

Kevin Iga (Pepperdine University)

2. Numerous math career options in the academic, industrial or corporate settings will be showcased to you via guest presentations and panel discussions.

Participants will get a sense of how mathematics is woven into the fabric of modern life, which helps them obtain the view of the subject that goes beyond the course requirements.

We wish to give the camp participants a glimpse of higher math and college life, and help them realize that university is a place for them.

Click here for High School Camp information and registration details.

B) High School Math Day Camp for Indigenous Students:

Are you an Indigenous student in Grade 9 or 10 who would like to get a jump start on the journey towards mastering Calculus and unlocking the door to many STEM careers? Do you wonder if and how math would be helpful for a future career? Do you want to meet new friends who are also interested in pursuing STEM careers? This camp is for you!

The primary goal of this online camp is to provide an opportunity to a group of Indigenous students to explore their talents and develop a solid foundation of key mathematical concepts in preparation for success in the STEM stream of high school math courses. Instructor and speakers include:

Gordon Naylor:Teacher - Maskwacîs Education Schools

Peter Harrington: University of Alberta

Laura Gutierrez-Funderburk: Data Scientist

Hannes Edinger: Big River Analytics 

Students will also be exposed to real-world applications of mathematics.

We wish to give the camp participants a glimpse of higher math and college life, and help them realize that university is a place for them. Space is limited.

Click here for the High School Camp information and registration details for indigenous students.