Mission
To improve mathematical and critical thinking among high school students working to enter college, especially students with ambitions and aptitudes for STEM disciplines. CalcBridge partners a mathematics professor at UT with students and teachers from high schools across Texas underrepresented in higher education. CalcBridge connects high school students to an academic community of collegiate scientists and researchers.
Program Overview
Students who successfully complete the year-long program earn eight credit hours on UT Austin transcripts. Motivated and experienced high school teachers implement the daily coursework in their classrooms with robust, continuous support from both the Department of Mathematics and Pre-College Academic Readiness Programs (PCARP). The support includes intensive professional development for teachers and arranged interactive campus visits for students.
Program Elements
College Credit: Two semesters of concurrent-enrollment rhetoric and writing coursework for high school students with eight credit hours offered each semester Differential Calculus – M408K – in the fall and Integral Calculus– M4o8L– in the spring.
Professional Development: Five-day summer and two-day winter teacher professional development trainings focus on curriculum, pedagogy, learning management technology and program procedures. Continuing professional education certificates are provided for participating teachers.
UT Austin Visits: SPURS students visit UT Austin for a full day. While on campus, students observe a mathematics course, interact with their CalcBridge professor, take tours, engage with undergraduates, and partake in events intended to acculturate them into a college community.