THE MATHEMATICS CHALLENGE

This RHT Education initiative is designed to place visiting students of Mathematics at the cutting-edge of Chinese instruction. The Mathematics Challenge combines Chinese classes delivered by key Chinese instructors, peer projects with Chinese students and culminates in a Mathematics Challenge. There are, of course, sight-seeing opportunities within the itinerary. Key features of the program include: classroom sessions, cultural activities, first class university visits, guest lecturers and peer interaction.

PROGRAM OUTLINE

	Arrive Shanghai	Arrive Shanghai Transfer to hotel	Cruise Huangpu River
	Orientation & briefing Transfer to Nanjing	Sight-seeing: Zhouzhuang water city and silk factory	Welcome dinner and meet Chinese peers
	Unit 1: Learning Math the Chinese way (theory)	Unit 1: Learning Math the Chinese way (practical)	Unit 1: Learning Math the Chinese way (review)
	Unit 1: Learning Mathematics the Chinese way (theory)	Unit 1: Learning Mathematics the Chinese way (practical)	Unit 1: Learning Mathematics the Chinese way (review)
	Excursion 1 Topic: Innovative Thinking	Excursion 1 University visits	Guest lecturer and workshop 1 Mathematics professor
	Unit 2: Advanced Mathematics (theory)	Unit 2: Advanced Mathematics (practical)	Unit 2: Advanced Mathematics (review)
	Unit 2: Advanced Mathematics (theory)	Unit 2: Advanced Mathematics (practical)	Unit 2: Advanced Mathematics (review)
	Excursion 2 Topic: Careers	Excursion 2 Technology park visit (all day)	Guest lecturer and workshop 2 Research & Development expert
	Sight-seeing	Sight-seeing (all day)	Traditional performances
	Unit 3: Mathematics Competition (strategies)	Unit 3: Mathematics Competition (practice)	Unit 3: Mathematics Competition (preparation)
	Excursion 3 Topic: Emerging China	Excursion 3 Enterprise visit (all day)	Guest lecturer and workshop 3 Chinese Mathematics champion
	First day of competition	First day of competition	Competition preparation
	Second day of competition	Second day of competition	Free-time
	Sight-seeing	Sight-seeing	Farewell dinner Awards Ceremony
	Airport transfer Depart Shanghai	Airport transfer Depart Shanghai

ITINERARY BY NUMBERS

LEARNING LANDSCAPE

The incorporated coursework is highly interactive facilitator-led training. The sessions are designed for up to 25 participants per class, but the course can be used with fewer or more participants, with appropriate adjustments in material and space requirements.

The classroom sessions are designed to be used in a variety of formal and informal settings.

To make the training accessible worldwide, the assumption was made that typical classrooms will have access to technology, but have access to basic instructional supplies (paper, pens, pencils, markers, or colored pencils, tape, scissors, glue, flip chart paper and/or black or white boards, etc.). Suggestions are made within the sessions for low-cost or no-cost alternative materials, or for reducing the amounts of paper used for instructional resources.

For room setup, participants have worktables to conduct their small-group discussions and other activities, although the sessions can be adapted to allow for situations where this is not possible. In general, there IS ample space to configure small groups and teams around the room as needed. Facilitator notes and suggestions are included when such adaptations ARE necessary.

INSTRUCTIONAL/TRAINING TECHNIQUES

This courses use a range of methodologies that align with the principles of the experiential learning approach. With an emphasis on interactivity among participants, the courses incorporate the following techniques and methodologies:

Individual exercises and reflections

Stories and scenarios

Small and large group discussions

Activities and games

Role-playing exercises

Team projects and presentations

TEACHERS

The teachers will be provided by RHT Education with support mentors and assistants drawn from various organizations and the participating school/s. The program staff include:

1 x RHT Education representative

2 x nationally qualified teachers

4 x teaching assistants (could be Chinese or foreign to assist trainers and be responsible for 4 students each)

6 x Chinese doctoral candidate mentors

EXAMPLE TIMELINE

COMPONENTS

The entire program has an integrated approach to learning, combining a variety of components that lead towards greater understanding of what it takes to be leader.

i.Sessions

There are four Units which each will challenge the students to better understand their own situation;

Personal Development

Interpersonal Development

Goal Setting and Action Planning

Teamwork and Leadership

ii. Activities

Within each Unit are activities designed to enhance the lessons learned during each Session.

These activities will be a set of challenges which are a blend of activities including individual skills development and group exercises.

Some Chinese cultural activities will be incorporated into challenges.

Each activity has an assessment which will be recorded towards a final grading.

iii.Visits

There will be three visits to explore Applied Mathematics in the context of contemporary China.

Visiting local universities

Visiting high-tech zones

Visiting local enterprises

iv.Guest lecturers

There will be three high-profile guest lecturers who will lecture and then conduct a workshop on the three of the most significant Mathematics-related topics affecting the community in modern China.

Environmental impact of land-use on traditional agriculture

Innovation and technology

Globalization through trade

v.The Competition

The competition will take place over two days with a feature of the program being some helpful pointers given by an international champion.

Format to follow Mathematics Olympiad format

Competition is for individuals

Geometry, number theory, algebra, and combinatorics

vi. Sight-seeing

Visits to local cultural sites all have ties to the program and will form the basis of some group project work.

Challenges will be set on every excursion.

Marks will be awarded based on presentation and project work throughout the course.