CAMP Day 2 has commenced! As CAMPers return to the lobby, their smiles even bigger this morning, they grab their name tags, choose from one of the offered electives for the day, and head to the art room to wait for their first class to begin.
The art classroom is much louder this morning as CAMPers walk in today to see familiar faces rather than new. With names now learned and game preferences found, they quickly begin to engage in the various activities set out before heading to math class- the Cosine group with Japheth and the Sine group with Frances.
The Sine group starts class with a new visual of the handshake problem they were given yesterday. This visual allows CAMPers to see a geometric connection to the formula and to internalize it to better understand the problem.
They return to their pairs from yesterday and continue with their combinatorics problems to find patterns and formulas. They are encouraged to leave all work on their paper to display the entire thought process and steps that go into solving.
As CAMPers better understand their problems together, they are excited with what they are able to find. They continue to ask for more combinatorics challenges to work on and further their learning.
Meanwhile, the Cosine group is split into pairs with each pair being given a different scenario to think about in the context of what they learned with numbers of chords yesterday. These pairs work separately before combining into groups of four to discuss findings and look for correspondences in their problems. They are set off to work with the big question, “Can you create a mathematical argument that states what you should always find? Is there something to always find? A definite outcome?” Triangular numbers seem to come up quite a bit as students discuss their findings.
CAMPers are then given “Cuisenaire” rods to study, form questions, and compare. They are given a starting question to expand on: How many combinations or lengths can you make with five rods? CAMPers are encouraged to ask questions and share their findings.
We then move on to the second class of the day, with the Tangent group going to computer science and the Cotangent group going to art.
Today in art, CAMPers use the dice they created yesterday to create a character with randomly generated aspects such as clothing length and color, as well as any accessories. They are then tasked with creating a name and backstory for their character. CAMPers are asked to think about how many different types of character possibilities there are while they work.
When they are done with their characters, they create monsters! Starting with a body, they roll their dice until they’ve rolled every number, each one pertaining to a different body part. Creativity is encouraged, adding whatever the dice says- even if it means four eyes! Once they are done drawing, they give their monster a name and backstory as well.
In computer science the Tangent group first recaps what they learned yesterday with Python Syntax and remind each other of what to remember as they continue working.
The CAMPers then work together to create a function that will always be true if the input is even, and false if the input is odd.
After their collective coding, CAMPers pair up and use the driver-navigator partner system to create their own code using this statement and expanding on what outcomes could come with different inputs. They learn the difference between print and return statements and how they affect the behavior of a function.
Finally, CAMPers are challenged to write a code that will tell them if a variable is even or odd without using if statements. They continue asking for more challenges as they figure out the given problems and get the wanted answers.
All CAMPers head to lunch, excited to replenish their minds- and stomachs- before returning to learning.
Once done eating, everyone goes to the elective that they chose earlier. Today, CAMPers either explore the world of Rubix cubes, participate in more mind-blowing math magic, or chill and do paper puzzles.
After electives, we move to our final class of the day. The Tangent group goes to the art classroom where they have their turn in using their die to create their very own characters and monsters. They creatively use the mathematical aspect of art to design funny outfits and creatures.
The Cotangent group continues to explore Python in computer science class. They begin by reviewing what they learned yesterday before using the driver-navigator system to find out what the percentage symbol does as a python operator.
After experimenting in pairs, they discuss as a collective what they found and learn how to advance. The CAMPers take turns providing test cases for discovering how Python handles different operations and inputs.
CAMPers learn about the if statement and experiment with numbers as boolean value commands before analyzing discoveries as a collective. They end class with a challenge: using their investigations to come up with a statement that will determine if a number is even or odd.
All the CAMPers end their day in the art classroom, occupying their time with varied activities and games while waiting to be picked up.
Time flies when you’re having fun! The day is over but the good news is that there’s still three more. We can’t wait to see everyone tomorrow to let the fun continue.