MARS Camp Comes to UMES

PRINCESS ANNE, MD – Summertime is traditionally a time for students to break free of the classroom in search of more leisurely activities. Not so for a group of students hoping to get a leg up in the areas of math, science and technology; critical areas of study for the nation's future job force.

As part of the Math and Related Sciences (MARS) camp, the campus at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore is housing 88 academically gifted high school students now through July 12, and 88 academically gifted middle school students from July 20 through August 2.

"The purpose of the camp is to further excite already gifted students in the areas of math and science. Since each class meets for four and a half hours a day for 10 days, our experienced teachers can go into their subjects in much further depth than they could in an ordinary classroom schedule," said Robert Cowles, MARS Camp director.

Celebrating its 29th year in operation, the camp is a two-week residential summer enrichment program for students with strong aptitude and interest in math, science and technology. Selection for the program is based on student essay, several problem solutions, teacher recommendation and submitted standardized test scores.

"Students show their appreciation for the camp by coming back many times during their middle and high school years," said Cowles.

High school students selected one course from an offering of classes such as Advanced Problem Solving, Computers from the Inside Out, Chaos Theory and Fractal Geometry, Web Site Design, and Operations Research in Real Life. In Classical Cryptanalysis: The Science of Code Breaking, students can learn some of the math used to analyze encryption systems. Math, Physics and Fun explores the physics of rockets and roller coasters. Students will collect data from the real thing and design their own through the use of computers.

Middle school students selected from The Mathematical Mind; Codes, Games and Chance; Math and Art; Mathematics and Architecture; Digital Logic and Robotics; and Bay Rangers: Environmental Studies.

The camp is sponsored by the UMES Department of Education with support from The National Security Agency. According to sponsors, the camp strives to attract all talented students, including minorities and women, to be afforded the opportunity for math and science advancement. For more information, call 410-651-7580.