Graniterock hosted its fourth annual Algebra Academy from August 12-17 and announced a new website, algebraacademy.net.
Graniterock expanded its popular and successful Algebra Academy program this year by hosting over 100 middle school students from six area schools for an innovative, week-long math course at its Corporate Office in Watsonville, according to a statement from the company. For the first time this summer, students from Tres Pinos and San Juan schools participated in the program.
As part of its continuing community outreach program, Graniterock partners with Cal State University, Monterey Bay and University of California, Santa Cruz to host the 4th Annual Algebra Academy, which helps provide local students with the skills and confidence to succeed in math courses in high school and college.
Bruce W. Woolpert, President of Graniterock from 1987 to 2012, believed passionately in the power of math, according to the company. In 2010, he and Graniterock Corporate Counsel Kevin Jeffery teamed up with CSUMB Professor Hongde Hu to bring the Algebra Academy to students at Watsonville’s Rolling Hills Middle School. Since then, the Algebra Academy has grown to include five additional middle schools in San Benito and Santa Cruz counties, and professors from UCSC.
New website offered:
A new website, www.algebraacademy.net, provides more information and background on the program and includes details on how members of the community can give additional support.
This year’s event, sponsored by Graniterock and Littler Mendelson P.C., was hosted at the Graniterock Corporate Office in Watsonville last week through Saturday throughout the day from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
According to Graniterock, research demonstrates that mastery of algebra during the middle school years is a key to students’ achievement in science, technology, engineering and math as they progress in their academic careers.
The Algebra Academy gives students an extra boost in the subject by bringing together college professors, middle school teachers, and a specially designed, hands-on curriculum for a week-long algebra immersion program.
“This Algebra Academy is an important part of Graniterock’s commitment to our community”, said Kevin Jeffery, Graniterock corporate counsel, in the statement. “We are really excited to have these students with us, getting a step ahead in math and seeing potential career opportunities available to students who work hard and earn a college degree in math, science or engineering. This program is about building confidence so when students get to high school and encounter trigonometry or calculus for the first time, they know they can tackle it.”
The experience includes an exposure to college and business environments, where students discover how mastering math can be the ticket to success in higher education. Students also listen to young professionals explain how they use math regularly in their business or technical careers.
On Friday morning, Graniterock Account Manager Jason Sanchez told the students about growing up in Salinas and struggling with his own mathematics education. He was inspired by his parents, who insisted on the importance of education, and he went on to graduate from UC Berkeley. “Choose your friends wisely,” said Sanchez, “because they will determine the person you become. Set your goal to be successful, not measured by monetary success but by finding work that you love.”
The students spent the last day of the academy touring the CSUMB campus and working in the university’s math department classrooms, gaining valuable insight into the college experience.
