Nearly 10 students representing Avalos P-TECH-School, Blanson CTE High School, and Davis High School are in the middle of their RUSMP Camp experience, hosted annually by the Department of Mathematics, which teaches complex math concepts to high school students.

The Rice University School Mathematics Project (RUSMP) Camp is a math camp for high school students hosted by the Department of Mathematics at Rice University. Aldine ISD students this year are participating in the Preparing for Success in Calculus camp session.

The Camp Experience

The content focuses on introductory calculus topics, including limits, continuity, differentiability, and applications of the derivative, focusing on mathematical communication, proof and justification, and real-world applications. Precalculus topics are necessary for success in advanced mathematics, including properties and characteristics of function families, and are reinforced through the lens of calculus.

Groups of students will engage in learning activities and use visualization technology when appropriate. The instructional approach used in this program helps students make mathematical connections. It will provide students with mathematical knowledge and skills and learning strategies to prepare them for success in their future mathematical studies.

Dr. Anne Papakonstantinou and Dr. Richard Parr will facilitate the program. They are award-winning mathematics teachers who have taught calculus at the high school and university levels and are acknowledged experts working with gifted and talented mathematics students.

Guest speakers will include faculty from the Rice University Departments of Mathematics and Computational and Applied Mathematics and mathematicians from the industry.

Campers will see the creative, discovery-driven side of mathematics. By showing them some of the ways mathematicians approach problems, RUSMP Camp hopes to encourage young mathematicians to continue studying math beyond the high school level.

Camp Selection Process

The program offers a competitive $950.00 scholarship for high-achieving precalculus students in the Greater Houston area. The program only has two seats available per school. Due to a couple of students in Aldine dropping out due to scheduling conflicts, a couple of seats opened up.

According to Divina Browne, the district’s program director of high school mathematics, this is the second consecutive year AISD has sent students to this camp. This year, Browne wanted to expand the program because of the positive feedback from Papakonstantinou and the enthusiasm of the AISD students last year. She also wanted to remove the biggest barrier for students, which is transportation, which is why Browne sought out the assistance of Susan Pelezo, AISD executive director of advanced academics, in funding the registration fees and transportation.

Browne started recruiting students in February by contacting precalculus students and asking teachers to recommend their advanced academic students on track for calculus in the 2023-2024 school year. Students had to fill out an application paper, and their precalculus teacher had to attest that they had completed their precalculus class.

Previous participants from Aldine have gained valuable skills that enabled them to succeed in calculus and earn acceptance and scholarships to reputable universities such as Columbia University.

Aldine ISD Students Taking Part

Avalos P-TECH School

Cirilo Cancino
Miguel Cuevas
Elaine Villeda

Blanson CTE High School

Cristina Juárez
Leodan Martínez
Arlene Sánchez

Davis HS

Cardin Tran

District Students Showcase Their College Readiness

Papakonstantinou was so impressed with the Aldine ISD students’ knowledge and interest she emailed Browne.

“The sound preparation and enthusiasm for learning of all the AISD students make this year’s calculus class especially enjoyable to teach,” said Papakonstantinou. “The students make me want to go back to the classroom full-time! They are unafraid to try everything (including limit proofs) and ask insightful questions. Kudos to the AISD Pre-Calc teachers at their schools. ‘L’ was not assigned. I told the class not to try it because it was too hard at this point in the class. Well, the group, of course, focused on ‘L.’ These are the killer limits from ‘Calculus for a New Century.’ Nothing scares the kids, and Cardin (Tran) was the leader!”

Danielle Picklesimer, an AP calculus/precalculus teacher at Davis High School. She chaperones the students to and from Rice University. Terrea Anderson is an AP calculus/precalculus teacher from Blanson. He has also been teaching the Blanson CTEHS students. Francis O’Brien is the teacher from Avalos P-TECH School.

Davis High School student Cardin Tran also received a direct email from Dr. Papakonstantinou. She shared how she and Dr. Parr were really impressed with his poise and knowledge in front of the class. Picklesimer is Cardin’s teacher.

“Your (Cardin) presentation and explanations were spot on. They exhibit a deep understanding of the topic and your creative insights. ‘L’ was an unusually difficult limit to think through,” said Papakonstantinou. “You add so much to the learning that takes place in the class. In one of the pictures posted on Twitter, you were the magnet that mesmerized others in the class. We certainly appreciate your enthusiasm and dedication. You’ll make an excellent professor! … Keep sharing your brilliance with others!”

Pelezo added that these learning experiences and opportunities inspire highly motivated and talented mathematical students to expand and supplement their mathematical interests. Students can explore as they are guided by mathematical faculty and staff in fun and challenging environments. They are presented with different mathematical problem-solving techniques to enhance their future mathematical and academic pursuits.

“This is one way by which we can enrich the mathematics learning experiences of our advanced academic students,” said Browne.