ENRICHMENT OPPORTUNITIES AT EGAN
Do you enjoy the challenge of solving interesting math puzzles? If so, Mrs. Massaro invites you to join Mathcounts!
Mathcounts is a national math competition for middle schools. We meet Wednesdays at 8:00 am in Room 8. At the beginning of the year, everyone who is interested can come, and you can work individually or in small groups to solve sets of practice problems like those in the real competition. It's a lot of fun and you'll meet many other students who enjoy challenging math problems as much as you do! Please, come join us!
Mathcounts Team
In January, Mrs. Massaro will select 8 students to compete individually or as part of the Egan team in the local area competition. At this point, these 8 team members will get additional coaching to prepare for the actual competition in February (so no more early mornings for the rest of us!) Winners at the local level proceed to the state competition in March, where the top 4 Mathletes® and top coach earn the right to represent their state at the national level.
LOS ALTOS ROBOTICS - 2007 First Lego League (FLL) Season
FLL Program
Los Altos Robotics FLL Program Last year we had over 130 Los Altos area students on 27 teams participate. The program is for ages 10-14 years and it includes both a robotics activity as well as a research project activity. You can see a video and get details of the program on their web site including a flyer which you can post or hand out:
Download Los Altos Robotics Flyer (PDF)
Download Parent Presentation (PDF)
Junior High Participants
The FLL robotics program seems to tie in well with Egan's science program. It is a hands-on activity which includes problem solving, teamwork, and research. Students come away with a better understanding of mechanics, physics, logic, and programming. In addition, they learn teamwork skills, build self-esteem, and come away with an impression that science can be cool.
The main issues for junior high students are awareness of the program and time to do it. Here are some observations:
- The program starts early in the school year, so some students do not get organized in time. Students form their own teams and this should be done by mid-September. Parents usually help them organize.
- The program takes time, on the level of a soccer team commitment. They meet once a week for 2-3 hours and sometimes twice weekly.
- Nationally, about 20% of the participants are girls; however, locally it is only about 10%. Girls and girl's team do very well, and often are the stronger teams.
Programs for Gifted and Talented Students
GATE
If you are interested in supplementing your child’s educational experience through enrichment classes, the State of California has an excellent web site. Egan students can enroll in one of several Gifted and Talented programs listed on the California Department of Education’s web site. Many of our students have benefited from the local programs and the Johns Hopkins testing program. Please visit the California Department of Education website for information on GATE.
Stanford University and Johns Hopkins also offer enrichment opportunities. Please follow the links for more info:
Stanford University EPGY (Education Program for Gifted Youth)
Johns Hopkins University: CTY (Center for Talented Youth)
I will update this page as information becomes available through various sources.
If you have any questions about your child’s achievement please call me at 917-2211.
Bruce McClain
Counselor
