About

The Prove it! Math Academy curriculum is based on our experiences teaching mathematical proof at the undergraduate level, our NSF-funded research project Lurch (a word processor that checks your reasoning), and our coaching of proof-oriented mathematics competitions. Our philosophy is that mathematical proof is best learned by a gradual transition from the rigor of formal proofs to the clarity of traditional mathematical exposition. Our curriculum bridges the gap between calculations and proofs.

Students also benefit enormously from the kind of creative problem solving that is used in mathematics competitions. In traditional math instruction, the students are frequently taught a specific fact or procedure and then asked to apply it in prescribed settings. But in problem-solving mathematics, students are asked to answer questions that they have not previously been taught how to solve, and must creatively combine facts and theories to do so. For this reason, our curriculum emphasizes the problem-solving approach to mathematical proofs.

Our residential summer program gives the participants the opportunity to interact with other students who share their love and passion for mathematics. It also helps the students and their parents form a network of students, parents, and instructors who can share information about scholarships, contests, and college admissions as we guide our talented mathematical youth.