The University of Minnesota Talented Youth Mathematics Program (UMTYMP)
The University of Minnesota Talented Youth Mathematics Program, UMTYMP, is an alternative math program for students in grades 5-12* who are gifted in math. Offered through the U of M Institute of Technology Center for Education (ITCEP), UMTYMP provides students with highly accelerated courses to stimulate interest and abilities in math. Students who choose to test into this accelerated math program take math classes at the University rather than at their school.
Grades 5-7*
Fifth grade accelerated math students at Oak Point are given information about UMTYMP and may elect to test to get into the program, along with students in grades 6 or 7 who will be ready for Algebra I and have tested in the top 95% in math. Registration must be done in February, and the test is administered in April at the University of Minnesota. It is an aptitude test of 50 multiple-choice questions on pre-algebra math knowledge. Calculators are not allowed. Within 2 weeks, the student will know whether he/she passed, and the actual scores will be mailed to the home by September 1. A student must take and pass the test to be enrolled in the program. If a student passes and decides not to enroll for that year, she may need to retest to enter at a later time.*
The policy of testing 4th graders has been discontinued. Fifth graders who test and pass are encouraged to reconsider entering UMTYMP in the fall. These younger, eligible students are allowed to start a year later without taking the qualifying exam again. ITCEP prefers that students start UMTYMP in the 7th or 8th grade.
Grades 7-10
Students in grades 7-10 who are interested in entering UMTYMP Calculus I in the Fall should contact the Calculus Coordinator at itcep@umn.edu in March. You must have finished Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, and Precalculus (covering Math Analysis and Trigonometry) and be recommended by your most recent mathematics teacher. You will need to submit a transcript, a recommendation letter, and a test fee ($100 in 2006). Your information will be reviewed, and if you are considered eligible to test for the program, a test date will be arranged between March and June.
UMTYMP classes are held at the U of M from 4:00-6:00 pm once or twice (to prepare for an upcoming exam, make up for a vacation day, or add more instruction time for Calculus) a week for 38 weeks. Bus transportation is available after school (via parent request) from the high school and CMS to the Southwest Metro Station in Eden Prairie. Students pay a fee to ride a Southwest bus to the campus and back to the Eden Prairie station, arriving at roughly 7:00 pm. Bus passes may be purchased.
Two Components - High School (Algebra+) and Calculus
UMTYMP has 2 components: high school, covering 4 years of high school math in 2 years (Algebra I/II, Geometry and Mathematical Analysis) and calculus, which allows students to complete up to 6 semesters of college calculus through single- and multiple-variable calculus, differential equations, linear algebra and advanced topics. Each UMTYMP high school course is equivalent to one full year of high school credit–a possible total of 4 years of high school mathematics. When a student is attending Oak Point or CMS, high school credit is given but the grade is not figured into a GPA. When the student is attending high school, the grade is figured into the GPA. Each 2-hour class covers the equivalent of about 3 weeks of regular high school math content. Grad standards are satisfied. No attempt is made to divide classes by age, and each class may have students with a 4-year or 4-school-grade range. Upon successful completion of the high school component, students would take an entrance exam in May to continue on in calculus. The calculus courses were created by the U of M at an accelerated honors level, designed so that at the end of each year students may easily move on to regular courses at a university. Students receive honors-level college credit for Calculus components. (A grade of B- is reported to the high school as an A-. EPHS does not post A+ scores, so a Calculus score reported as an A+ is recorded as an A.)
High school classes are taught by outstanding secondary math teachers, and university instructors teach calculus classes. Each class of 25-30 students has an instructor and a teaching assistant. Many assistants are UMTYMP alumni.
UMTYMP students do not take math courses at their schools. Oak Point and CMS students have study hall during regular math times. Homework will amount to 8-12 hours per week. Participants are expected to attend every class and must schedule other activities around it.
UMTYMP cost
UMTYMP is partially supported by the State of Minnesota, but participants still must pay individually for participation. Those costs, in 2006, amount to about $750 per year for the high school component and $1000 per year for the college component.
What do Eden Prairie students and parents think of this program?
Universally, the answer is that it is not for everyone. A student must have strong math skills, a love of math and a willingness to devote many more hours per week (transportation, class time and additional homework) for this challenge. At least one parent said grading was much more difficult, and a perfectionistic student may have trouble accepting the change. Typically, there are very few Oak Point students who elect to take part in this program. At CMS, the numbers increase to about 10 students per grade, with most of these students continuing the program at least through Calculus II. Students may join as high school freshmen but would likely be in class with younger students who have been following the UMTYMP accelerated pace. Sometimes high school students (like Andy, mentioned below) leave UMTYMP when they enter high school because the UMTYMP schedule doesn’t mesh well with whatever high school activities they have selected.
Alex started UMTYMP as a 6th grader. There were moments during the first year when his family questioned whether it made sense for him to continue (the work was difficult and took away other options to explore) but the bottom line for them was that Alex couldn’t bear to go back to the “slow way” of learning math. He had an easier time with the Geometry class, which uses a textbook based on reform math. This means a lot of small-group work instead of mainly lecture. His parents think the program is fabulous and that Alex has learned study skills to manage the workload, which will benefit him all through school. They cautioned that parents who are not themselves very good mathematicians may need to arrange for a tutor or mentor to help their child through homework difficulties.
Andy entered UMTYMP for the first time in 7th grade, and continued until mid-year in 8th. He left the program then because he didn’t have enough time to devote to other interests, mainly music. The time he spent in UMTYMP was of benefit, allowing him to take a full complement of math courses at the high school at an advanced level.
Brad is an UMTYMP graduate who started in the 6th grade. When interviewed by us in his senior year, he had this to say: My mom was a little worried about me going to the U at age 11 but I always felt safe, and I was excited to be there. I found the classes to be challenging and valuable. The quality of teaching was excellent. The small classes allow the students to actively participate in class discussions and to have close contact with the teachers. My Calculus I teacher was instrumental in furthering my mathematical competitions to a state and national level. I gained several friendships with peers with similar interests and abilities. Even though I am no longer taking math classes at the U, there is still one more benefit I will receive from the program. Recommendation letters for colleges will be written for me by my UMTYMP professors.
Eman said: Attending UMTYMP is, academically speaking, one of the best decisions that I’ve made so far in my life. Looking back, I realize how much farther ahead in math I am compared to the rest of my peers. It not only provided me with excellent math skills, but also prepared me for college-level classes. UMTYMP teaches a broader spectrum of mathematical concepts and goes more in-depth in those concepts than regular high school math classes. Problems in the classroom do not revolve around unruly, immature kids who are trying to gain attention, but rather around the now uncommon act of learning. Contrary to common belief, most UMTYMP students are not math nerds who lack a social life. Instead, many participate and achieve success in many aspects of life including sports, math and school. Through UMTYMP, I’ve made many lasting friendships with kids from the surrounding metro area. I have learned how to better manage my time and have drastically improved my study habits. Undoubtedly the most important thing I have gained from attending UMTYMP is a tremendous amount of confidence, both in myself and in my work.
For further information
For more information, check www.itcep.umn.edu/umtymp, call (612) 625-2861 or contact the gifted/talented coordinator at your school.