My daughter's friend who is a rising 8th grader is in Multivariable calculus camp, WTF?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Super friendly introduction to calculus to get you ready for camp https://calculusmadeeasy.org/

If that’s the calculus the kid took as a prerequisite for MVC camp, he doesn’t know either calculus or multivariable.

Thank you, Arbiter of Calculus.

[Anonymous]

All of these high level extra things are crazy. Parents don't know how to just let kids be kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:All of these high level extra things are crazy. Parents don't know how to just let kids be kids.

Grew up in New England and I know a lot of these parents who "let their kids be kids" as that was the dominant culture there among the townies. Many of those kids are still living in their parents' houses, just like kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I mean, I went to MIT. I had multiple friends under the age of 18 and a PhD student in my chemical engineering lab was barely 18 with 2 Grammys (yes, actual Grammys).

Another MIT grad, and my freshman hallmate was taking advanced PhD level math courses. No doubt he could have aced MV in 8th. And the “no breadth or depth” posters have no clue. Some people’s brains just work differently (faster and better). I felt so slow next to him. But he was a really nice and sociable guy too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I mean, I went to MIT. I had multiple friends under the age of 18 and a PhD student in my chemical engineering lab was barely 18 with 2 Grammys (yes, actual Grammys).

Another MIT grad, and my freshman hallmate was taking advanced PhD level math courses. No doubt he could have aced MV in 8th. And the “no breadth or depth” posters have no clue. Some people’s brains just work differently (faster and better). I felt so slow next to him. But he was a really nice and sociable guy too.

Breadth and depth poster, MIT grad as well. Of course it’s possible to learn MVC in middle school, it’s also possible to only brush over some superficial concepts over the summer. We don’t know what the case is.

The issue I have is using some milestone like when you take some advanced class in math to qualify someone as genius or an outlier. It definitely shows potential, inclination, effort and nurturing. There are many ways someone can excel, people put too much stock on math ability alone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Gah…2017!

Good catch!!! Who resurrected this thread??

[Anonymous]

But as long as it has been resurrected, did anyone else think:
"This one time... at multivariate calculus camp..." when they saw the subject line?
Or just me?

[Anonymous]

Athletic kids get all sorts of camps so should brainy kids.

[Anonymous]

An 8th grader at MOP (Math Olympiad Summer Program), now that would be cool!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:An 8th grader at MOP (Math Olympiad Summer Program), now that would be cool!

That's precalculus.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Athletic kids get all sorts of camps so should brainy kids.

Middle schoolers train doing NCAA workouts?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:An 8th grader at MOP (Math Olympiad Summer Program), now that would be cool!

That's precalculus.

Meh. Div grad curl and all that is plug and chug for the most part. Not too hard for anyone making MOP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you like math, multivariable calc is a lot of fun. No different that a camp about chess, brain teasers or mazes. Lots of fun.

Yep.

I flunked out of engineering because I couldn't handle basic calculus. My now-senior was teaching himself in 8th grade. Said he "loved it."

Whatever.