Closely following the educational and mentoring practices of the Math Corps, a program that started “as a humanitarian effort to simply help some kids in need”, in 1992 at Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, the St. Paul Math Corps at Macalester College is launching in 2024 with its inaugural Summer Camp! The Math Corps is about more than math skills: we prioritize mentorship through a “kids teaching kids” model, provide a positive learning environment and a strong sense of family.
Have questions? Contact us at mathcorps@macalester.edu
Math Corps at Macalester’s summer camp serves students who will be entering 7th grade in Fall 2024. High school students entering 10th, 11th, or 12th grade serve as paid Teaching Assistants (TAs).
Each day the middle school students receive instruction in math and computer science (programming robots!) from Macalester faculty and enjoy a variety of learning activities led by the college and high school students under the supervision of Macalester faculty. The high school TAs serve as natural role models for the middle school students, and engage in their own learning of both fundamental and advanced mathematics.
Dates: Monday, July 8th, 2024 – Thursday, August 1st, 2024
Camp Hours:
Tuition: Tuition is free for all students thanks to the support of Macalester College and the generous contributions of foundations, corporations and individuals.
For a student to be eligible for our summer camp, he/she must be a public school student residing in St. Paul, or other local communities.
Apply to be a Middle School Camper
Apply to be a High School Teaching Assistant
Apply to be a College Instructor
Dr. Will Mitchell – Executive Director, St. Paul Math Corps, Associate Professor of Mathematics – wmitchel@macalester.edu
Dr. Getiria Onsongo – Associate Professor of Computer Science – gonsongo@macalester.edu
How much does it cost for students to attend Math Corps?
Tuition is free for all students thanks to the support of Macalester College and the generous contributions of foundations, corporations and individuals. High school students act as paid mentors for the middle school campers.
Where are courses for the Math Corps held?
Classes are held on the campus of Macalester College (1600 Grand Avenue, Saint Paul, 55105).
We have a family trip scheduled that conflicts with the Math Corps. Can my child be excused?
The Math Corps’ philosophy on attendance is this: one cannot learn if one is not present. Therefore, absences due to family trips, vacations, conflicts with other programs, or similar cases are not excused.
Is the Math Corps an “everyday” program?
Math Corps meets Monday through Thursday.
Who can apply to be in the Math Corps at Macalester?
Our summer program is open to any current 6th grade student who is attending a public or charter school within St. Paul. Our high school positions are open to any current 9th, 10th, or 11th grade student who is attending a public or charter school within St. Paul.
My high school student needs help in math. Can they apply?
Yes! However, due to the special tutoring nature of the position that high school students occupy within the Math Corps, they must at least be proficient in 7th and 8th grade Mathematics. High school students will receive instruction and assistance in their Mathematics courses during the latter part of each program day.
What do you teach the students?
Each middle school student gets what we call broccoli and ice cream. One math class geared towards the fundamentals and another in an advanced topic. The afternoons have a rotating list of courses that are more hands-on, and feature applied mathematical concepts such as Mod Art and Polyhedra. Our high school students spend half their day tutoring and mentoring middle school students, with the second half of their day being spent in their own math classes.
What supplies does my child need to bring every day?
All necessary supplies are provided for every student Math Corps. These include: notebook, paper, pencil, journal folder, calculator (for new students only), and a Math Corps T-shirt.
Does my child have to bring money for lunch/food?
Math Corps at Macalester will provide a light breakfast as well as a lunch during each day of camp.
Do students live on-campus during the program?
No, this is a day camp program. Middle school students may arrive at Macalester as early as 8:30 am each morning for optional breakfast and math games from 8:30-9:30am (supervised by a Math Corps staff member). Middle school students must be at Macalester and prepared for Math Corps by 9:30am each day, and they are dismissed at 2:30 pm. High school students must be at Macalester and prepared for Math Corps by 9:00am each day, and they are dismissed at 3:15 pm.
Is transportation provided?
No. However, the Math Corps does provide Metro Transits tickets and transfers for those who need them.
How important is my child’s essay?
Very! The essay can tell the Selection Committee a lot about the needs, self-esteem, and desire of the applicant to join the Math Corps. It is a very important document that is kept in the Math Corps files for years.
How can my child increase their chances of getting accepted in the Math Corps?
Because the Math Corps accepts such a wide variety of students at various skill levels, there is no definite answer to this question. However, there are two things that can truly give more weight to an applicant: an application that is on time, and 100% complete.
