What Parents Need to Know...
IMSA Excellence 2000+ is an after-school enrichment program for Illinois middle school students who are talented, interested and motivated in mathematics and science, with special emphasis on students historically underrepresented and under-served in mathematics and science.
In brief, the program goals are: to increase students' interest, involvement and literacy in science and mathematics; to enhance the knowledge and skills of middle school science and mathematics teachers; to stimulate excellence in middle schools' science and mathematics programs; and to help increase access to programming for students who are historically underrepresented in mathematics and science, and for all areas of the state.
IMSA Excellence 2000+ is designed to serve students in 6th, 7th and 8th grades. Students attend weekly sessions at their school site and may participate in related field trips. There are other learning activities as well, including online challenges, special programs like Mathematical Inquiry Workshops at IMSA, summer camps, and virtual conferences that connect Illinois students with other Excellence 2000 classes across the nation or across the world. Activities vary from year to year.
By design, the IMSA Excellence 2000+ curriculum is inquiry based, problem centered and integrative. The learning experiences focus on helping students "learn how to learn" and emphasize logic, mathematical thinking and experimental scientific thinking. Topics relate to the students' lives, thereby arousing their curiosity and increasing their motivation to learn in mathematics and science. Teachers from each participating school are supported with on-going professional development for the delivery of the curriculum and use of appropriate pedagogy.
Identifying and Choosing Students
IMSA Excellence 2000+ is designed for talented and motivated middle school students (6th through 8th grades) who are committed to challenging themselves in mathematics and science. Students should demonstrate an interest in learning, independent thinking, curiosity, and a thirst for knowledge. Students must understand that making a commitment to participate in IMSA Excellence 2000+ means continued participation until they finish eighth grade.
Criteria for Student Selection
- ISAT scores demonstrate "Meets" or "Exceeds Standards" in mathematics and/or science, or in the top 20% of his or her class academically.
- Student-written statement of his or her interest in the study of mathematics and/or science.
- Teacher recommendation.
- Signed commitment to full participation by both student and parent or guardian.
- Currently a 6th, 7th, or 8th grade-level student.
Process for Student Selection
An application file for each promising student will be compiled with the following information:
- Application for admission including parent permission
- Student essay indicating interest
- Teacher Recommendation Form
- Current and last year's grade reports
- ISAT results (The site coordinator will compile the grade reports and ISAT results for each invited student.)
The IMSA Excellence 2000+ site team (2 teachers, coordinator, and principal) selects between 30 and 40 students from the pool of complete applications. If the number of student applicants is in excess of 40 students, the school site team members evaluate the completed application files using the IMSA Excellence 2000+ Individual Rating Form to help in the decision-making process.
The school site principal or coordinator of the IMSA Excellence 2000+ site team informs students and parents of selection decisions.