Saturday Math Academy offers extra help

Math can be a daunting, yet necessary, part of a student’s undergraduate curriculum. But the College of Science is stepping up to help students in first-year math courses succeed with the Saturday Math Academy.

The program is a supplemental instruction session offered to all RIT students looking for one-on-one help for introductory math courses. Under the direction of Susan Bateman, School of Mathematics and Statistics lecturer, and guidance of Joshua Faber, head of the School of Mathematics and Statistics, the program aims to boost mathematics understanding across campus since all students must take a math course to complete their degrees.

Bateman teaches first-year math courses, so is able to identify foundational concepts that students are struggling with week to week. She also asks faculty for feedback on what issues students are having. Students can request help with specific problems when registering. When students arrive on Saturdays, they receive a worksheet of suggested problems to work on with help from the teaching assistants and can also ask about specific problems.

“We think this program will enhance math preparedness and proficiency of students from all majors to help augment our student success initiatives,” said Andre Hudson, dean of the College of Science. “One of our initiatives is to normalize to our scholars that it is good to ask for help.”

First-year robotics and manufacturing engineering technology student Micah Lang was looking for extra help since she was struggling to grasp a certain concept in her math class. After attending the Saturday Math Academy, she has better understanding and is more confident.

“Going to the Saturday Math Academy and seeing so many others there to get help encouraged me to search for more support,” said Lang.

Second-year civil engineering technology student Jacob Koppel is enrolled in one of Bateman’s calculus classes and attended the academy to work on homework and study for exams. As a teaching assistant himself, he enjoys seeing fellow students become comfortable with complicated topics.

“It’s a great time to study for calculus with the help of some awesome professors and teaching assistants,” said Koppel. “Everyone there is happy to help. It also adds some structure to my weekend schedule.”

Nikolaus Kent, an applied and computational mathematics graduate student, is one of the teaching assistants ready to help at the Saturday sessions.

“I think this program is incredibly beneficial for the students who attend because it gives them a chance to open up and get in-depth answers to their more complicated questions,” said Kent. “Being able to work with students on a weekly basis builds my confidence in teaching and allows them to build relationships with other graduate teaching assistants and students.”

The Saturday Math Academy is held every Saturday at various locations on campus from 10 a.m. to noon. A free breakfast is provided. Students are encouraged to register in advance, but registration is not mandatory. Information on the schedule and locations, as well as a link to register, can be found on the Saturday Math Academy website.