14-18 February 2022: Face to Face in Kensington, 65-67 Queen's Gate, SW7 5JS
This new and inspiring STEM camp offers children the chance to learn science, technology programming and mathematics, going beyond the curriculum and demonstrating how they relate to each other. Young minds will be absorbed and entertained by the camp’s electronics projects in LED lighting (programmable for senior pupils), with the incentive that completed projects can be taken home.
Whether your child is already a confident programmer or just starting out, we will create the most appropriate small study group for them, based on their age and experience. Each group of participants is taught in their own separate classroom, maximising the learning opportunity and minimising the spread of Covid.
In Electronics pupils will be learning and working on projects developed specifically for this camp by the LondonSMP R&D team. Younger pupils will be creating a decorative heart shaped LED light while older pupils will work on an LED matrix project that builds an electronic message board. Children can take their completed projects home with them.
In Programming, younger pupils will discover what can be achieved with BBC Microbit Programming and Scratch. Older pupils will learn about Arduino C as they code the functionality and output of the LED matrix they will be building. At all levels, pupils will learn and see the practical applications of programming and be taught programming fundamentals, for example the function of an algorithm.
The Programming and Electronics curriculum for this camp has been devised by Dr Pavel Orlov. Pavel holds a PhD in Computer Science from the University of Eastern Finland and has authored more than 50 academic papers. At Imperial College, within the Dyson School of Design Engineering, Pavel developed a system to teach programming in augmented reality. Pavel’s academic interests include human-computer and human-robot interaction, including writing software to help people with physical disabilities perform daily tasks using ‘gaze patterns’. In 2018 Pavel was appointed Head of R&D and Learning in Robotics at LondonSMP.
In Maths, we will explore the world of Functions and Sequences, with levels of complexity increasing with each age group.
Functions are almost everywhere in maths: in algebra, calculus and geometry because they express the relationship between any two numbers. Number sequences offer the most natural way of spotting, presenting, and analyzing a pattern. From the simplest 1, 2, 3, 4, … , moving to 12, 24, 36, 48, …, followed by 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, … and 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13…, sequences describe our world. The Fibonacci Sequence is a well-known example of a sequence where the numbers grow larger at a constant rate. A thorough understanding of sequences and functions is essential to success in solving problems in algebra, calculus and geometry.
Here are more details of what will be studied by each Year group during the camp:
Years 3-6
Our pupils will be working with sequences, which will allow them to experience the all important elements of mathematical thinking: observation, generalization, prediction and proof. In the optional 9am problem solving lessons, pupils will be offered challenging problems from the UK and international maths contests suitable for their age.
Years 7-9
Pupils will go deeper into the subject learning about the composition of functions and the nature of function machines, where one or more inputs has a single output. What is the rule of such a machine? Can we find a set of inputs that lead to a certain output? These are classic mathematical problems. Pupils will also learn and play the Science Game by Martin Gardner, the influential mathematician and journalist. In the optional 9am problem solving lessons, pupils will study a class of finite machines and combinatoric problems related to machines leading to group theory.
Years 10-11
Linear, quadratic and higher order polynomial functions, the modulus and the floor function and their compositions. Solving equations using graphs. Function machines - what if machines are combined together? How does the composition work? What is the power of a machine? Can one figure out the simple parts knowing how the composition works? How to solve equations where the unknowns are the machines. Several new scientific questions can be modeled this way. In the optional 9am problem solving lessons, pupils will study compositions of functions, a class of finite machines and combinatoric problems related to machines leading to group theory.
Format and fees for the senior face to face camp:
- pupil to teacher ratio of 6:1
- participants are taught in small groups, tailored by similarity of age and ability, in individual classrooms
- camp times: 10am to 3pm
- or from 9am for an extra hour of olympiad style maths or additional coding, and/or from 3pm to 4pm with our chess class. There is a supplement of £25 for each additional session booked
- fees are £585 for five days. It is not possible to join for a shorter period
Places are limited, please register your interest HERE.