Number theory rather than sun and beach
50 high school students had chosen to spend a week of their summer vacation at Math Camp. Forest and beach were replaced with the HC Ørsted Campus and the University Park in Copenhagen.
This year, the Department of Mathematical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, sponsored of the summer camp, organized every year by students from the Youth Association of Science (UNF).
It became a week - July 19 to 26 - with interesting talks and entertaining social activities. Participants enjoyed the greenery when they didn’t listen to lectures in the auditorium or completed tasks in small groups. The high school students came from all over the country and were a mix of different personalities.
"There was a good mix of girls and boys, athletes and gamers - with mathematics as a common denominator," says Morten Agger, Coordinator of Mathematics Camp 2014.
The teachers were a group of talented math students, complemented by guest lecturers. Participants were given an appetizer of how teaching takes place in universities. There participants could also discuss mathematical problems and the exercises in which participants jointly solved tasks related to the lectures.
This week's social program included physical activities between lectures, small funny moments from the volunteers and a night on the town. After the official program, there was time for participants to relax, play some games and talk. New friendships were built.
Math Camp is organized by the Youth Association of Science (UNF), which started operations in 1944 in Copenhagen, and now organizes lectures, study visits, summer schools and other events in the four major Danish university cities. All work in the association is carried out by unpaid volunteers.
