Maths Mission: Impossible? Become a Master Problem-Solver and Robotics Expert

Senior STEM Camp for Years 3 to 11

5-9 August 2024: Face to Face at Blackheath High School, SE3 7AG

 

Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics are woven together in this exciting camp that explores problem solving in maths, programming, electronics and robotics. 

We create the most appropriate small study group for each participant, based on their age and experience. In Electronics and Robotics camp participants will build their own remote control cars and will also be able to take their projects home at the end of the camp.

In Programming, Robotics and Electronics, children will work on different projects by age group:

 
 

Remote Control Car Project for children aged 7 to 10

Younger participants will learn coding, electronics and robotics in subject specific classes. In Robotics children will learn the skills needed to code and operate robots with each child working with their own allocated robot for these classes. In Electronics we will be building a remote controlled model car. Once each child’s model is complete at the end of the week they can take it home to demonstrate what they have learned and achieved.

 
 

Remote Controlled Mobile Robot with Coded LED Matrix for ages 11 and over

Older children on the camp will learn the skills required of robotics engineers as they combine programming, electronics, design and construction to build their own mobile robots. 

The robot’s multiple features will present an exciting challenge to our campers as they work to code and assemble it. Children will programme their robot so that a remote control unit can send a signal to the infrared receiver located on the robot to manage the LED matrix screen. 

We will also use a channel motor drive board, L9110S, which separates the incoming command into four digital signals, operating the actuators to make the robot move. 

This is a take-home project. Once each child’s model is complete at the end of the week they can take it home to demonstrate what they have learned and achieved.

Places are limited, please register your interest HERE.   
 

In Maths, we will focus on problem solving which means doing non-routine, challenging mathematical tasks that require essential concepts and methods to be understood and applied in a variety of contexts. 

Practising problem solving develops a pupil’s ability to explore, reason and communicate their findings, along with mastering technical skills as a useful by-product of the process. The percentage of marks allocated to problem solving in Maths A level continues to rise, while the STEP, TMUA and MAT exams used by Oxford, Cambridge and other leading universities to assess new entrants all use problem solving style questions.

By year groups, participants will study:

Years 3-6 

Children will solve problems from Primary and Junior Maths Challenges and from the Kangaroo Competitions involving arithmetic, geometry and combinatorics. They will explore various approaches to solving challenging problems.

Years 7-8 

Participants will explore problems from the Junior Maths Challenges and from the Kangaroo Competitions mainly about perimeter and area of different shapes, about the clock and tables involving geometry, combinatorics and algebra. 

Pupils will have to write down their ideas step by step to reveal the logical structure behind their solutions.

Years 9-11

Problems from the Junior Mathematical Olympiads and from the Intermediate Maths Challenges, Kangaroo and American Maths Challenge about sequences from introductory questions to advanced tasks will be offered to participants. 

Pupils will learn how to handle periodic sequences, recursions, arithmetic sequences. They will have to use algebra creatively to answer the questions. Pupils will meet several questions about angles, where the clever application of algebra is needed and tackle the questions about the fundamentals of combinatorics involving sets. 

Pupils will have to write down their ideas step by step to reveal the logical structure behind their solutions.

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 problem solving and/or from 3pm to 4pm with our chess class. There is a supplement of £25 for each additional class booked so a week of extra maths or chess is £125 per subject
  • fees are £595 for five days. It is not possible to join for a shorter period 
Places are limited, please register your interest HERE.