DC SIMS
DC SIMS: Program Details
Here is a copy of our brochure.
About the program
Qualifications
Application process
Additional information
About the program
What is it? DCSIMS (Dordt College’s Summer Investigations in Mathematics and Statistics) is for highly motivated and talented high school students. The program provides students with three days of investigations in mathematics and statistics involving fun activities, projects, and hand-on explorations, all while being mentored by Dordt mathematics and statistics faculty. The program will also expose students to careers and research in mathematics and statistics.
When is it? Plan to arrive on Dordt’s campus the evening of Monday, June 25. After checking into the dorms and receiving a brief orientation the evening of the 25th, you will be ready for three full days of learning and fun. On Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, you will participate in a variety of workshops, activities, and talks related to topics in actuarial science, mathematical modeling, statistics/biostatistics/statistical genetics, cryptography, and infinity. Interspersed throughout your day will be time for team-building and other fun activities on and around the campus of Dordt College. You will also have time hear about careers in mathematics and statistics and the college search process. You will depart approximately 4 p.m. on Thursday, June 28.
What activities are involved? Be prepared to take to heart the motto “Work Hard. Play Hard.” Each day will feature one of the following themes:
• Actuarial science, risk/risk management, and probability/chance. For more about the field of actuarial science visit: www.beanactuary.org. Here is a brochure about the actuarial science program at Dordt (soon to be a major/minor program!). You will participate in a series of activities, games, and competitions centered on this theme.
• Mathematical modeling. Mathematical modeling is used by researchers in disciplines as wide ranging as biology, economics, political science, engineering, chemistry, medicine, graphic design/animation, etc. You will learn about and experience how mathematical models can describe disease epidemiology.
• Statistics, with a particular focus on biostatistics and statistical genetics. The rapidly growing field of statistics and data analytics is becoming the language of science, business, health, politics, and society in general. You will participate in a real, ongoing research project in statistical genetics. You can read more about the projects you may be involved in here.
• Other activities include talks from experts on cryptography and another on infinity and informal discussions on the college search/application process and the variety of possible careers in mathematics and statistics. In the “play hard” category, we have many fun surprises planned to ensure we have a good time learning and playing together.
Qualifications
Who should participate? High school students who have completed 2 years of high school mathematics and will be juniors or seniors in fall 2012. Students should possess a strong interest and aptitude in mathematics and/or statistics and should have the desire and ability to work hard and play hard with a like-minded peer group. Students should be able to arrive on Dordt’s campus the evening of Monday, June 25, and depart late afternoon on Thursday, June 28. Preference will be given to students who will be both juniors or seniors and have completed 2 years of high school mathematics. Others (e.g. sophomore in 2012 who has taken two years of math) may apply, but are encouraged to consider applying in future years.
Am I the kind of person you are looking for? We anticipate accepting a diverse set of students to the program. If you have a passion for mathematics and statistics, have done well in your courses, and are excited to spend a few days having fun and learning, then “Yes”!
Application process
When should I apply? We strongly encourage you to get your application submitted as soon as possible, and no later than March 15, 2012. April 15, 2012 (Deadline extended). Space is limited to just 12-15 participants.
When can I expect to hear about my application? Our hope is to contact those accepted to the program in early/mid-April. At the time you are accepted to the program, you will be asked to provide a $50 security deposit to hold your place in the program. The security deposit will be refunded in its entirety upon successful completion of the program.
Additional questions
Who is leading the program? The mathematics and statistics faculty at Dordt College will lead the program. For more information go here. Additionally, we will include a select number of high school teachers and others as learning facilitators. They will stay in the dorms and participate in all activities as group leaders—working with groups of three or four students each.
How can it be free? For this year, the program has received a generous grant from the Andreas Center at Dordt College combined with other sources at the college.
I can’t attend this year. Will you be running the program next year? While we are excited about the program and have experience running similar programs, this will be the first DCSIMS summer program, and it will be run as a pilot program. While we are optimistic about its long term success and sustainability, we will not make an official decision about a possible DCSIMS in summer 2013 until fall 2012.
I have a younger sibling who is not eligible for DCSIMS. What can they do while I’m gone? Conveniently, Dordt Discovery Days will be the same week as DCSIMS. More information will be available on the Dordt website soon.
If you have any remaining questions please send an email to dcsims@dordt.edu
