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F110 - Introductory Problem Solving
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F120 - Intermediate Problem Solving
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F130 - Introductory Problem Solving
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E120 - Honors Algebra Problem Solving
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E130 - Honors Geometry Problem Solving
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E210 - Introductory Math Competitions
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E220 - Intermediate Math Competitions
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E230 - Advanced Math Competitions
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G210 - Introductory Math Olympiad
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G220 - Intermediate Math Olympiad
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G230 - Advanced Math Olympiad
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N220 - Intermediate Physics Olympiad |
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Dear Friends of Avid Academy,
Happy Holidays! Welcome to The Avid Learner, an online newsletter of Avid Academy for Gifted Youth. |
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Winter Session Begins Today |
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Avid Academy's Winter Session begins today, November 30. We will offer 10 weeks of Math Olympiad and Problem Solving training from November 30, 2009 to February 20, 2010 with a short break in observance of the winter holidays betweem December 20 and January 3. Our classes provide a balance of math competitions and academic problem solving to help students develop an interest in math and science while excell in their academic pursuits.
Students still have the opportunity to enroll in classes that have not yet reached capacity. For those that have, waiting lists have been established. Prospective new students should contact info@AvidAcademy.com for registration. For more information, registration forms, and lists of important dates, please visit:
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Orange County Math Circle Thanksgiving Tournament Results |
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The Orange County Math Circle is a student-run, nonprofit organization that has been developed into a service learning program dedicated to the improvement of mathematics in Orange County. The Thanksgiving Tournament was a fun event hosted by the organization in pursuit of such ideals. Thanksgiving weekend was a success for the OC Math Circle. In their first Thanksgiving Tournament, more than 100 students representing 45 schools from the 3-6 grades age groups showed up and participated, filling the tournament seats near capacity. The following students were recognized for winning their division in the tournament:
Grade 3: Kyle Kishimoto, Fairmont Private School
Grade 4: Jiyun Park, Turtle Rock Elementary
Grade 5: Harrison Ku, Turtle Rock Elementary
Grade 6: Han Chin, VanDamme Academy
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Continental Math League - Round One Results |
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Our fourth and fifth grade classes participated in the first round Continental Math League competition. Six Avid students have received perfect scores:
- Brandon Ton, Tustin Memorial Academy
- Calvin Brown, Turtle Rock Elementary School
- Brian Choi, Bonita Canyon Elementary School
- Justin Li, Peters Canyon Elementary School
- Michelle Koh, Turtle Rock Elementary School
- Katie Kim, Lincoln Elementary School
Overall, all of Avid Academy's students performed exceedingly well across the divisions. Additional results can be found at Avid Academy Results. |
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Online Math League - Round One Results |
The Online Math League is designed to test the mathematical aptitude of the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth graders. For the past two years, Avid Academy students have achieved outstanding scores on these exams. Our fifth graders consistently place in the Top Teams nationally and sixth graders have won National Champion for the last two years. This year, the following students achieved perfect scores in the first round:
- Matthew Choi, Bonita Canyon Elementary School
- Calvin Brown, Turtle Rock Elementary School
- Benjamin Most, Harbor Day School
- David B. Bonita Canyon Elementary School
- William B. Bonita Canyon Elementary School
- Jason Hu, Santiago Hills Elementary School
- Jeremy Soto, Velencia Elementary School
- Matthew Kim, Bonita Canyon Elementary School
- Mitchell Wang, Brywood Elementary School
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We are All Connected |
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Famous scientists, Carl Sagan, Richard Feynman, Neil deGrasse Tyson, and Bill Nye stress the same message that we are all connected. Carl Sagan pioneered the field of astrobiology, and engaged people thinking about the origin of evolution, the future of life, and the possibility of extra-terrestrials. Richard Feynman, a Nobel prize winner for his contributions to the development of electrodynamics, was a renowned humanitarian for his assistance with military technology in the defeat of Nazi Germany. Neil deGrasse Tyson is a famous astrophysicist who has united his passion with his work, much like the renowned Bill Nye "The Science Guy" who aimed at sparking people's interest in science through his wit and humor on television shows. These four figures have taught us an important message: "We are all connected to each other, biologically, to the earth, chemically, to the rest of the universe, atomically" as they claim in the following inspirational video pieced together by a fellow science enthusiast. Thanks to our reader Jamie Yoshioka who sent us this video clip: The Symphony of Science. |
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Learning Math From the Rubik's Cube |
In a revolutionary step towards mathematical education, dozens of schools in the New York Metropolitan area have introduced a Rubik's Cube based math curriculum. Teachers are attracted to the puzzle-solving lesson because it helps children understand geometry, and algebra, while aiding in the development of skills in following directions, memorization and perseverance. Most importantly, teachers say it gives students a sense of accomplishment. "That sense of confidence is noticeable when a student solves the cube in public without a guide and wows a nearby adult."
This approach to mathematical education in the early grades keeps students involved and excited about the subject at times when key math skills are being developed. For more information on the Rubiks Cube curriculum and its conception, please read The New York Times article by Jennifer Lee: Learning Math From the Rubik's Cube. |
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Education's 5 Big Lies |
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Our view of the United States' education system seems to have been molded by lies and misconceptions that the ill-informed have pressed hard upon us. The five common misconceptions regarding the education sector are: the money lie, the voucher lie, the smaller-is-better lie, the all-teachers-are-equal lie, and the homework lie.
These lies entail common views on our education system, which are quite frankly, inaccurate. Money seems to be the biggest issue in education, but if schools paid money only on things the absolutely needed, instead of Olympic size swimming pools and personal laptops for all students, this budget crisis would not be as impactful upon the system. Furthermore, it has been proven in several studies that smaller classes of 15 students do not yield better test scores from the classes of 30 students. To learn more about the other lies, why they are, and how they came to be, please read The Philadelphia Daily News article by Dom Giordano:
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First Collisions in the Large Hadron Collider |
Over a year after its inauguration, the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) has finally been repaired and performed its first low energy test on Monday, November 23rd. At approximately 1820 GMT, the LHC detected its first collision of protons at 0.9 TeV. This is just the first step in what scientists hope will help unravel the mysteries surrounding the cosmos and the "Big Bang."
The LHC's 27 km (18 mi) long tunnel uses some 1200 superconducting magnets to accelerate protons near the speed of light to produce collusions that will represent conditions believed to have existed moments after the big bang.
After this first trial, scientists plan to elevate the collision energy to near 7 TeV. The hard and grueling part takes place after the experiment by analyzing the data and making it fit with the theoretical models in place today. Scientists are hoping to find, in this experimental evidence, signs indicating the absolute existence of the Higgs Boson particle (aka "God's particle"), a subatomic particle that is crucial to our current understanding of quantum physics.
For more information on the LHC and its first collision, please read the following articles:
For a brief description on the LHC's parts/compenents and how they work, please visit: Detectors 101 | |
I hope you enjoyed the information provided in this newsletter. Thank you for supporting gifted education in Southern California. If you have comments to improve our newsletters or would like to share articles, resources and ideas with our community, please email me at Dr.Li@AvidAcademy.com.
Sincerely,
James Li, Ph.D.
Executive Director
Avid Academy for Gifted Youth | |
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