Winter 2010 Course Descriptions

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The Edina Center for Academic Excellence focuses on offering courses that are not available in schools. Classes are taught by instructors from all walks in life, but with a common passion for their subject matter, who also happen to love a good competition!  Classes are held at South View Middle School in Edina.  Room locations will be confirmed.  Click here to print off a copy of the group class registration form: winter_10_reg_form_e 

Mail in with your payment and a signed copy of the photo release form:
photo-release_97 

Math for Young Competitors

Grades 3, 4, 5. Saturdays, 9:00 am – 10:30 am*, 10 weeks, 9 January to 20 March. No class 23 January. South View Middle School, Room 137 (enter through Door 3). Instructor: Karl Bunday, 2007 Edyth May Sliffe award recipient for middle school mathematics teaching. FEE: $200.

Bright, mathematically precocious younger students now have an opportunity to investigate problem solving and topics beyond the school curriculum. A student who has picked up basic methods of calculation quickly and exhibits a good grounding in beginning prealgebra concepts will find this course a natural extension of personal talents and interests. Focus will be on approaches to problem solving, understanding mathematical algorithms, through preparation for algebra, and deep topics of interest to young learners. An introductory exploration of above grade level math contests along with lots of fun “brain-teaser” activities will be included. Students will have the option to compete on the ecae 2009-10 Continental Mathematics League and Mathematical Olympiads for Elementary and Middle Schools teams. A bonus of the class is friendships with eager math-learners from six different counties.

*All students must attend the first class to be assessed for placement. Two sections will be offered, with students grouped by ability as scheduling permits. Instructor will assign students to either the 9:00 – 10:30 a.m. section, or the 11:00 – 12:30 p.m. section.

Competitive Math Training Level I

Level IA: Grades 6, 7, 8. Saturdays, 9:00 am – 10:30 am*, 10 weeks, 9 January to 20 March. No class 23 January. South View Middle School, Room 132. Instructor: Jolene Gleason. FEE: $300.

This is the first level of ecae’s signature training program. The focus of this class is to train students in competitive problem solving using actual Mathcounts competition problems, AMC 8, and Minnesota Junior High Mathematics League problems. Emphasis will be on developing and refining problem solving skills, strategies, speed and accuracy. Students should be advanced in math understanding beyond grade level and have an understanding of basic algebra. Practice is essential, hence 20 – 30 minutes of homework 3 times a week and a desire to improve will be the key to success! It is expected that students will either be members of their school math teams or compete on the ecae Math League team during the Fall competition season. This training will help prepare them to place among the top scorers on their team.  Students will also compete in the Grade 7-8 Mathematical Olympiads for Elementary and Middle Schools (MOEMS) contests as part of the Saturday class.

Level IB: Grades 8, 9. Saturdays, 11:00 am – 12:30 pm*, 10 weeks, 9 January to 20 March. No class 23 January. South View Middle School, Room 132. Instructor: Bernie Sheehan, B.A. (physics) Carleton College, M.S.E.E., Ph.D. (computer science) University of Minnesota. FEE: $300.

*All students must attend the first class to be assessed for placement in the course.

Competitive Math Training Level II

Grades 9, 10, 11. Saturdays, 11:00 am – 12:30 pm, 10 weeks, 9 January to 20 March. No class 23 January. South View Middle School, Room 134. Instructor: Michel D’Sa, Berkeley Math graduate and 2001 MN State Math League Champion.  Fee: $300.
This is the advanced level of ecae’s signature training program. The focus of the Winter Session class is to train high school students in competitive problem solving for success at the AMC 10, AMC 12 and AIME (American Invitational Mathematics Examination) levels. Emphasis will be on developing and refining problem solving skills, strategies, speed and accuracy. Students should be advanced in math understanding, and have participated previously on their school’s math team. Practice is essential, hence 20-30 min. of homework 3 times a week and a desire to improve will be the key to success! This supplemental training will prepare students to place among the top scorers of their team.

SAT/ACT Mathematics Refinement

Grades 9, 10, 11.  5 weeks. South View Middle School, Room 134. Instructor, Michel D’Sa, Berkeley Math graduate, Former 800 SAT Math scorer. FEE: $150.  

Session I:  1/30, 2/6, 2/20, 2/27, 3/6   No class on February 13.   Saturdays, 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm (Preps for the 3/13 SAT, 4/10 ACT, 5/1 SAT)
Session II:  4/24, 5/1, 5/8, 5/15, 5/22  Saturdays, 11:00 am – 12:30 pm (Preps for the 6/5 SAT, 6/12 ACT)
This class will focus on the mathematical sections of both the ACT and SAT college entrance examinations. Students should already be strong in math, and this class will give them the “edge” to do their very best. Along with the more common types of problems, time will be spent on the more challenging ones, which often mean the difference between a good math score and a great one. Speed, and alternative problem solving approaches to arriving at the correct answer will be covered in detail. These 5 sessions will prepare students for turning in a top performance on the actual exam day.   Required texts:  McGraw-Hill “Conquering the ACT Math” and “Conquering the SAT Math”.

Physics Bowl (West Metro Physics Team – not open to new students) 

Grades 8 through 12. Tuesdays, 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm, 12 weeks, Edina High School, Room 316. Instructor: Andrzej Stankiewicz, Physics PhD., Research Physicist and former Polish Physics Olympiad champion.  Winter Session :  1/12  to  4/13 (Ongoing for students who registered in the Fall).

This west-metro-wide cohort of students will train together to compete as one team under ecae.  The goal is to grow the team members in global competitiveness and individual success in the 2010 Physics Bowl and help students advance towards the prestigious 2010 United States Physics Team USPT Competition.  No prior physics knowledge is necessary for entering students, although a strong math background is helpful.  Students in grades 8-11 who are strong in math, who would like to try competitive problem solving, and are willing to practice on their own outside of class are encouraged to join.  The team will receive professional coaching and train two hours per week through the Fall and Winter, compete in the 2010 USPT qualification rounds and the 2010 Physics Bowl.  All competition fees are included.  This program has already produced 1 USPT Finalist, 2 UPST Semi-Finalists, 4 Physics Bowl Regional Winners and two Second Place Team finishes.

Inside the NUMATS Session 

Grades 6-9, Saturday, December 19, 2009, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.  Edina Community Center.  Room 351.  Instructors:  Nick and Nolan Green.  Fee:  $25

Put this date on your calendar and register now for our annual NUMATS “anti-prep” session!  This is the only course we know of specifically for gifted 6th – 9th graders.  We first offered this two years ago in 2007.  Sponsored in collaboration with Ivy Insiders CEO Nick Green and Ivy Insiders top instructor Nolan Green, SAT and ACT  information is introduced to first-time middle school students who want to take the tests as part of the Northwestern University Midwest Academic Talent Search (NUMATS).  Test basics, test approach tips and strategies are presented in a format that will put students at ease and in the proper frame of mind to take on their most interesting academic challenge to date!  We offer this over the holiday break just before the January and February test dates as a convenience for most families.  The best part for students?  No study required!!  This is a popular session and there are limited spaces.  One parent is welcome to sit in and join their student for the session!   Click here to print off a copy of the numats_reg_form1.  Mail together with your payment and a signed copy of the Photo Release Form:  photo-release_971

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Saturday School

Our advanced classes are taught by practicing professionals in fields that involve mathematics, writing, Chinese, organization, or time management.   Two 9 – 10 week Fall and Winter sessions are offered during the school year as well as two 5 week Spring/Summer mini-sessions. Classes are small with less than 10 students per class, held in Edina.  What does ‘advanced’ mean?  In general, students who prefer to learn quickly, with little repetition, who can absorb concepts readily and enjoy being challenged rather than “taught” are successful candidates for our classes.  In mathematics, the expectation is that students are at the minimum grade level designated on our course descriptions.  Otherwise, they need to have accelerated their math learning to the equivalent grade level.  Instructors do not teach basic concepts and instead, assume a base core of knowledge.

ecae gives students the opportunity to learn along with other bright peers, connect with coaches and mentors who appreciate bright, inquiring students, and who share a joy and passion for their fields.

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