A special to our Irish readers:

Our friend Kim Moran from The Connemara Maths Academy would like to share an exciting new summer maths program. See below for details…I can’t think of a better place in Ireland to brush up on my math skills, and have a little fun along the way!

This Summer become Fluent and Confident in Mathematics at the historic and stunning Kylemore Abbey through a unique residential programme of creative and outdoor pursuits.

Summer School Kylemore Abbey 2014

Dates: Sunday 22nd – Sunday June 29th 2014 (7 Nights)

The Kylemore Abbey Summer Residential programme (7 Nights) is open to Irish Senior Cycle students aged from 14 – 17 years old. There are a limited number of places for international students who must demonstrate an appropriate level of English. Students must fall within this age range before June 30th 2014 in order to be considered for the programme.

Accommodation arrangements: All lessons, rehearsals, media technology based projects and workshops will take place at the Abbey while the physical activities will take place at Killary Adventure Centre some minutes away. Girls will be accommodated in the Abbey while boys will be staying at the beautiful Killary Adventure Centre. The boys will be bused to Kylemore Abbey every morning for breakfast and will be taken back to the Killary Adventure Centre at 9.30pm at the end of each day.

Curriculum

There are four main elements to the Curriculum:

1. Outdoor Activities:

Students will participate in a range of activities at the Killary Adventure Centre, a short distance from the abbey. The mathematics behind these activities are explored in the workshops, so for example, in the Zip Wire activity, students will discover how it works, including elements of trigonometry, geometry and algebra.

2. Mathematics: 

The fundamental concepts behind each of the 5 strands on the Leaving Certificate syllabus are dealt with in exciting, interactive and dynamic ways while students will have the opportunity to see these principles in action in real world scenarios, whether it be through one of the related physical activities or through one of the media technology based projects, so that a real, meaningful and long lasting relationship is formed between each concept and student.

Regardless of whether a students is taking the Higher, Ordinary or Foundation level, the key fundament concepts are relevant to all levels. These courses are designed to reinforce understanding  while laying down sound foundations. Students will be organised in age appropriate and relevant levels in some of the classes, while having ample opportunity to  mix with their colleagues in the social programme and through the technology based projects.

Students with particular interests, hobbies and skills are encouraged to share these within the media technology and music projects, workshops and physical activities where relevant and productive to do so, and of course, only with the prior consent of these students.

3. Music and Media Technology Based Projects

Music Technology

Students will explore the maths of music technology from Sine Waves to Loudspeaker and Microphone design and will be able to apply their mathematical knowledge in the production of a piece of music. All mathematical concepts covered are relevant to the Senior Cycle syllabus while embracing the new Project Maths curriculum.

Visual Representation of a Sound Wave. The mathematics of sound such as Sine Waves

and Trigonometry are explored in music technology based applications.

Sine Wave Generator – a audio exploration of Sine Waves

Media Technology

Deciding what makes a good photograph through the application of mathematics while also exploring how digital technology works is part of the curriculum. Students have the opportunity to create digital visual media content with digital video cameras and SLRs and content can be edited in the Mac Mini suite with Final Cut and other Apple software packages. The finished products will be presented at an exhibition at the end of the week before the Sunday concert.

Students have access to a digital camera to create digital media,

to be edited on the Mac mini suite.

iBooks

All students will receive a complimentary iBook packed with visually stimulating and interactive content including 3D animations, audio-visual rich media and tutorials of each of the key concepts covered during the week. This will be an invaluable resource for students when they return to school in September.

Students receive a complimentary interactive multimedia Key Concepts iBook.

Students will also have the opportunity to build their own Multi Media Interactive Digital iBook which will include all their academic work including projects and other evidence based learning, while also including a visual record of their out door pursuits. Students will have at the end of the week’s programme, a completed and published iBook which they can share with their parents, family and friends and they can keep as a souvenir of their stay at the Connemara Maths Academy Kylemore Abbey Summer Camp.

Complimentary Customised iBooks are given to students who also have access to iPads

as part of the technology based learning environment.

Students will have access to an iPad which they will use during workshops and project work, and on which they will be able to view and use the customised ‘CMA Key Concepts iBook’. When they leave, they will be able to download this iBook to their own personal devices.

Music Performance:

All students will participate in a whole school choir and ensemble, and rehearsals will take place everyday in preparation for a concert on the final Sunday afternoon, to which all parents and friends are invited to attend. There will also be an exhibition of the media technology based projects prior to the concert. Students who play an instrument, dance or have any other performance related skills are very welcome and encouraged to take part in the ensemble.

Pricing