General Description:
The Michigan Math and Science Scholars (MMSS) program is
designed to expose high school students to current developments
and research in Mathematics and Science to encourage the
next generation of researchers and discoverers.
The Michigan Math and Science Scholars (MMSS) program exposes
high school students to current research in Mathematics
and Science in hopes of encouraging the next generation
of researchers. Two sessions are offered, each lasting two
weeks. Students may elect to attend one or both of these
sessions. Many departments offer courses for the program,
including:
Astronomy; Chemistry; Molecular, Cellular and Developmental
Biology; Mathematics; Physics; Geology; Statistics, Ecology
and Evolutionary Biology and the Program in the Environment.
Participants will take courses and have the opportunity
to witness ongoing research at the University of Michigan
in various laboratories. Courses have titles such as Fibonacci
Numbers, Roller Coaster Physics and Explorations
of a Field Biologist. Professors will also take
students to their research laboratories and introduce their
own field work.
Below is a portion
of the FAQ from the MMSS website:
Q: Where do residential students stay during the program?
A: Residential students stay in University of Michigan residence
halls during the MMSS program. These halls are a short walk
from central campus and from the MMSS classes. As with any
residence hall, your meals are provided.
Students from MMSS gather around for a photograph.
Q: What are the MMSS program hours?
A: Typically, the program classes run Monday through Friday
from 9am to 4:30pm with a 1 1/2 hour lunch break. (Note
that there is class on the 4th of July!)
Q: How many courses will I take during the Michigan
Math and Science Scholars Program?
A: During each two-week session you attend, you will be
enrolled in one course. This is the best way to give students
a sense of the excitement, intensity and depth that math
and science offers.
Q: How much interaction will I have with my professor(s)?
A: Professors lead each course, spending time with scholars
for morning coursework, as well as during laboratory experiments
and certain field trips. They enjoy staying in touch with
the scholars they get to know during the summer and often
serve as mentors for MMSS alumni beginning their college
careers at Michigan!
Q: How can I tell which course offerings are right
for my background?
A: Courses are designed with respect to the varied backgrounds
students bring to the Michigan Math and Science Scholars
summer program. Some mathematical and/or scientific aptitude
will be helpful, but potential, attitude and ability are
determining factors for program success.
Q: What are my chances of getting into the course
that is my first choice?
A: We strive to place every student into her/his prefered
choice course. Please note that we ask you to rate your
selections according to your order of preference. Remember
that completed applications received early get priority
enrollment!
Q: My child is exceptionally gifted in math and
science but only in seventh grade right now. Can they be
accepted into the Michigan Math and Science Scholars summer
program?
A: We've learned that our program works best when students
are all of a similar age. Therefore, we prefer to admit
students already in high school. Your child will find intellectual
and social peers at MMSS in a few years as a high school
freshman, sophomore or junior.
Q: This brings up another question: Must one be
a real genius to learn, enjoy and succeed in a math and
science summer program?
A: Definitely not! Michigan Math and Science Scholars summer
program offers small classes; excellent ratio of faculty
to participants; knowledgeable teaching assistants; and
residential advisors that all make it possible to stimulate
and challenge a broad spectrum of students. We strongly
believe that all of our participants have something to offer
each other and one of the things we most enjoy is helping
them discover their interests.
Q: Well, then, is Michigan Math and Science Scholars
all work 24 hours a day?
A: Again, definitely not. Students meet with faculty in
the mornings, Monday through Friday. After a 1 1/2 hour
lunch break, classes meet with specialist graduate student
instructors for laboratory research, field trips, computer
projects and problem solving in the afternoons. Evening
activities (this links to last year's activities) include
group dinners at the residence hall along with planned and
supervised academic, social and/or sports events. Activities
include softball, basketball, and swimming, plus cultural
events and live entertainment. We will be posting this years
activities soon. Some students prefer to work on their math
and science projects or get in more computer time during
the evenings and that's just fine. On weekends, work is
again an option, but most of the students prefer to spend
this time unwinding with the activities listed above. On
each of the overnight Saturdays an optional trip to Cedar
Point Amusement Park in Sandusky, Ohio is planned. A visit
to a Detroit Tigers game is being planned for the weekends
also. Organized outdoor activities to the University of
Michigan's Botanical Garden and Arboretum will be offered
during the weekends as well.
Learn More:
http://www.math.lsa.umich.edu/mmss/index.html