The National Mathematics Summer School - An Invitation to Gifted Year 11 Mathematics Students

The National Mathematics Summer School (NMSS) is a program for the discovery and development of mathematically gifted and talented students from all over Australia. It is a two-week residential summer course held each January at The Australian National University (ANU) in Canberra.

Students participate in a series of lecture courses from mathematicians in a number of branches of mathematics at a relatively advanced level. They attend tutorials under the guidance of a range of staff — postgraduate students, mathematics teachers and academic mathematicians.

The main activity of NMSS is an in-depth study of three or four different areas of mathematics. Each is very challenging and will extend every student. On the other hand, the program is non-competitive and very much hands-on. The emphasis is on doing mathematics, not just on listening to someone else talking about it.

By the end of the two weeks, most students are amazed at how much they have accomplished and post-school surveys indicate that the NMSS has succeeded in raising their intellectual horizons. Almost everyone returns home with a considerably enhanced view of their own potential.

Gifted West Australian Year 11 mathematics students are invited to apply for the National Mathematics Summer School. Students are asked to contribute $1500, which covers airfare, accommodation, meals and all activities. Some financial assistance is available.

For details, see www.nmss.org.au

For West Australian students to be selected for the NMSS, their schools must obtain the Information Pack, that contains the application form. The Mathematical Association of Western Australia will send the Information Pack once this is requested by a mathematics teacher.

The closing date for completed applications is Friday 1 August 2008.

A Note For Mathematics Teachers

Dear Colleagues

The National Mathematics Summer School is an invaluable opportunity for the development of our top students. A great deal of effort is made to provide a rich and entertaining two weeks of mathematics for the few dozen who are selected from throughout Australia.

Those mathematically gifted students who are not intending to specialise in mathematics are welcome, and in special situations students younger than normal Year 11 will be considered. I hope that you will promote this event with your gifted students, perhaps by providing them with the first page of this flier. The NMSS website should answer most questions. Please get in touch with me through MAWA if you require further information.

All the best

Anna Jeffery

NMSS Convenor for Western Australia 2008

Registration Form and Flyer (40k)