UB's Gifted Math Program accepting applications for another class of future achievers

UB's Gifted Math Program is accepting nominations of outstanding sixth-grade mathematics students submitted by schools and parents for its fall 2015 entering class.

The program offers advanced mathematics courses, which replace mathematics classes in students' home schools, and are designed to challenge students with high levels of ability. Students in grades seven to 10 study an accelerated curriculum; 11th- and 12th-graders take university-level courses in calculus and linear algebra. They complete four semesters of university-level mathematics as part of the six-year program and may accumulate a total of 22 college credit hours.

Tests will be administered in March to about 200 nominees to select students for the 60 available places in the new class, according to Anne Izydorczak, Ph.D., administrator of the Gifted Math Program.

"Ask graduates about the program and what it has done for them," Izydorczak said. "They'll describe the intellectual growth that happened over their time here and the impact GMP has had on their life. Our graduates have a shared understanding about that."

"The critical thinking and mathematics discipline I learned in UB's Gifted Math Program were invaluable in helping me throughout my technical higher education and my career," said Tim Salter, who commuted from East Aurora when attending the program.

Hans Baumgaertner, a 2005 GMP graduate, works as a technical sales executive for the software company Cinegy GmbH. "UB's Gifted Math Program provides the necessary skills for logical and cognitive thinking within the realm of math and beyond, enabling graduating students to excel in their chosen fields," Baumgaertner said.

Informational meetings for the families of nominated students and others interested in the program will be held at UB in February. For more information, visit the program's website at http://giftedmath.buffalo.edu.