ALPHA Center

About Project Compass

The goal of Project COMPASS is to expose students to the integration of mathematics and technology. The Texas Instrument TI-89 graphing calculator will be used to develop the connections between analytical methods and graphical representations of solutions to problems from higher-level mathematics. Sponsored by the ALPHA Center, students receive instruction in mathematics, technology, and how to combine both to develop a deeper understanding of critical thinking.

Participants

COMPASS is a week long with two follow-up sessions, designed for students who have completed Algebra I and are entering high school in the upcoming school year. Participants must have received at least B grades in all of their mathematics classes.

Interested students must fill out an application, must have a teacher recommendation, and parent permission. Students and parents are responsible for transportation to the program.

Benefits

Project COMPASS aims to teach students, with a high interest in mathematics, how to maximize the use of technology while learning. Topics covered during the week include:

• Graphing
• Systems of equations
• Functional behavior
• Programming
• Sequences and series
• Symbolic manipulation
• Binomial theorem