It's Friday which means we are nearly 20% of the way finished with BEAM 6 Los Angeles 2018. Where did the time go??
So, what is a week like at BEAM 6? Each day features:
- Breakfast
- Morning class
- Open Math Time
- Activities
- Lunch
- Afternoon class
- Open Math Time
- Activities
Let's dig deep on each of those blocks!
The day begins with a balanced breakfast, served a la carte in the cafeteria.
Academics
Then, it's off to class! Students at BEAM take four classes, one each in the following tracks: Logical Reasoning, Math Fundamentals, Math Team Strategies, and Applied Math. At the beginning of the summer, students selected which version of each class they wanted to take. Their options were:
- Logical Reasoning:
- KenKen Puzzles and More
- Ultimate Brain Puzzles!
- Elementary, My Dear!
- Liars, Truthtellers, and More
- Math Fundamentals:
- Fractions and Food
- Exponents: the Super-Powers of Numbers
- Patterns, Lines, and Number Rules
- Applied Math:
- Introduction to Cryptography
- Voting: How to Run a Country
- Computer Programming
- Math Team Strategies:
- Using Patterns to Solve Problems
- Counting Without Counting and Fantastic (Number) Beasts
- Words, Meet Numbers: An Algebra Story
Don't those sound fun? How did students choose?? Each instructor gave a course description and a sample problem! Here's one set to consider!
Elementary, My Dear!
Course Description:
Ever wonder how detectives like Sherlock Holmes solve complicated mysteries? It's all in the details. In this class we'll explore the different techniques used to solve complicated riddles and how to apply them in tough mathematical problems.
Sample problem:
Mr. Red, Mr. Blue, and Mr. White meet at a restaurant for lunch. Under their coats they are wearing either a red, blue, or white shirt. Mr. Blue says, “Hey, did you notice we are all wearing different colored shirts from our names?” The man wearing the white shirt says, “Wow, Mr. Blue, that’s right.” Can you tell who is wearing what color shirt?
Open Math Time
One of the big goals of BEAM is that students spend time doing math they enjoy! So, during Open Math Time, students get a menu of options they can pursue. We encourage students to keep going back to this menu of options during 7th grade, whenever they're looking for a challenge! During Open Math Time, students might:
- Reinforce learning from their classes with Problem Sets
- Try out the weekly challenge problem
- Work on the 100 Problem Challenge (more on that later!)
- Explore the Art of Problem Solving, probably by checking out Alcumus
Students can work independently, or in groups! It's really up to what makes each student the most productive.
Activities
Morning activities last for the whole week! They're a time to learn new skills or spend a whole week on a passion. This week's options are:
- Board Games: Old classics and new!
- Decorate Your Binder
- Watch the World Cup: Watch live and old soccer games!
- Learn to Solve A Rubik’s Cube
- Rooftop FUN: Steal The Bacon and Sharky Sharky
- Learn to Play Settlers: A trading and building board game set in the mythical world of Catan!
- Learn Dominion: A strategy card game where each time you play it’s different!
Afternoon
Then, it's on to lunch (buffet catering from local restaurants), the next class, the next block of Open Math Time, and afternoon activities, which change every day.
All in all, it's a busy, exciting day, and we'll have much more to share over the upcoming weeks!
