Fall 2024

For students in Grades K-5*:

Kids are introduced to topics from number theory, geometry, combinatorics, probability, and more. 

We employ games, hands-on activities, and magic tricks to demonstrate and explore math concepts. Kids are encouraged to ask questions, present arguments, and reason. Students acquire problem-solving and logical thinking skills while building a solid foundation and understanding of mathematics.

At our math classes we show your child that math can be incredibly creative, exciting, and fun.

We offer small class sizes (no more than 10!), experienced and enthusiastic teachers, and an individual approach according to each student’s needs. 

For elementary division, click HERE to register.

For intermediate division, click HERE to register.

*  Kindergarten students need to have prerequisites. Please call (510) 488-4556 or email info@FirecrackerMath.org to request more information. 

For students in Grades 6-9:

Students are introduced to topics from number theory, geometry, combinatorics, probability, and more.

We focus on an in-depth understanding of math concepts and mathematical proofs. Kids learn problem solving techniques and logical reasoning skills.

Theoretical instruction is combined with practical exercises that employ chess, games, and logical puzzles to demonstrate mathematical concepts. Kids are encouraged to explore, discuss ideas, and work together as a team.

At our math classes, we show your child that math can be incredibly creative, exciting, and fun.

We offer small class sizes (no more than 12), experienced and enthusiastic teachers, and an individual approach according to each student’s needs.

Click HERE to register

Algebra 1 – Early Access:

This 11-week course for middle schoolers covers the first term of a full-year Algebra 1 course in depth. The full Algebra 1 course is completed over two or three 14-week long terms, depending upon your student’s dedication and progress rate. 

• The class is for 7th and 8th grade students (6th graders are allowed on a case-by-case basis).  Students are expected to complete pre-Algebra prerequisites or equivalent;
• The class meets once a week for 75 min in-person on Wednesdays and once a week for 60 min online (for homework help) over Zoom on Mondays;
• Additional time of at least 1 hour per week of homework will be expected;
• Cost: $740 per 14-weeks long term.

Click HERE to register

AMC 8 Preparation:

This 10 week-long course is designed to prepare students for AMC (American Mathematics Competitions) exam.
Students develop skills in problem solving, logical reasoning and creative approach to math challenges. They explore a variety of topics from number theory, algebra, geometry, combinatorics, probability and more. Students learn to apply various problem-solving strategies while working on AMC-style problems. Contact info@firecrackermath.org for Fall 2024 class information. 

• The class is for 6-8th grade students.
• Dates: October 23 – January 17th
• It is a 10-week-long class that is offered in-person on Wednesdays (Piedmont) and Thursdays (Berkeley) and online on  Fridays from 4:15pm to 5:30pm  once a week.
• $390 for the course, $50dro p-in fee. 
• For those students who will be taking the exam: Regular Registration Deadline – Dec. 23, 2024, Late Registration  Deadline – Jan. 15, 2025. Test dates: January 22–28, 2025. https://maa.org/amcreg/
• Students CAN participate in class but opt out of the AMC exam.

• click HERE to register

Math Kangaroo Preparation:

These weekly workshops will offer preparation and coaching for students participating in Math Kangaroo, a fun, introductory math competition in the United States and worldwide, on the third Thursday in March. The workshop will include preparation, coaching, and sampling real test problems. Students CAN participate in the class but opt out from taking the exam. Classes are in-person or online. Registration for the competition is from September 15 until December 31  (Late registration is Jan 1 – Feb 1, 2025)—registration information. 

Click HERE to register

Programming for Math Problems:

We will explore fun and interesting math problems and write computer code to solve them. Students with no prior knowledge of computer programming are welcome. They will learn the coding skills they need as they go. Topics include Sierpinski’s triangle (a fractal), ciphers to send secret messages, logic, sorting algorithms, and more. Students must bring their own tablet or laptop (let us know if your child doesn’t have one).

The teacher is Dr. Eli Lebow, who did his undergraduate work at Harvard University in mathematics and physics and his Ph.D. at Cal in mathematics. He taught middle school students at the Academic Talent Development Program in Berkeley, among other places. 

• The class is for 5th to 9th grade students.  No previous computer programming experience is required. 
• It is a term-long class that meets at the Berkeley site once a week on Thursdays, in-person for 1.5 hours from 5:00pm to 6:30pm.
• Cost: $585 for one semester.  

• click HERE to register.

AMC 10/12 Preparation:

This 9 week-long course is designed to prepare students for AMC (American Mathematics Competitions) exam.
Students develop skills in problem solving, logical reasoning and creative approach to math challenges. They explore a variety of topics from number theory, algebra, geometry, combinatorics, probability and more. Students learn to apply various problem-solving strategies while working on AMC-style problems. 

• The class is for 8-12th grade students.
• It is a 9-week-long class that meets once a week for 1 hour. 
• For those students who will be taking the exam: you must register for the test via AMC site: https://amc-reg.maa.org/
• Students CAN participate in class but opt out from taking the exam.

Concepts of Algebra:

In this class, students learn algebra concepts through puzzles, games, and activities. Playing a game called the Game of Nim leads to a new operation on numbers, which allows us to examine the commutative and associative properties. Figuring out who wins at interplanetary soccer is all about determinants. We will learn vector addition, talk about permutations and their properties, learn and explore binary numbers, and much more.

The class does not replace any school algebra class. The focus is on the conceptual foundation and building mental muscles.

• The class is for 5-8th grade students.
• It is a term-long class that meets once a week for 1 hour.
• Fee: $420 for the term.

click HERE to register.

* This class is not offered in Fall 2020. Contact us at hello@FirecrackerMath.org to be wait listed for Fall 2020.

Mathematics of Symmetry*:

Symmetry is found everywhere in nature, as well as in art, architecture, and design.

We see it in the left-right symmetry of our bodies and the bodies of many animals, but there is also the five-fold symmetry of a starfish. Symmetry is found in buildings and in beautiful paintings, such as in this work of M.C. Escher.

Understanding symmetry has been key to uncovering the fundamental laws of nature, and describing them in a systematic way. For example, modern particle physics would not exist without group theory, which is the study of symmetries.

Symmetry is one of the most powerful and important concepts in modern mathematics.

In this course, we will investigate mathematical objects and explore different ways of finding and describing symmetries of these objects. We will show how two symmetries may be combined to produce a third, and we will explore the patterns that result.

Students will learn to think of good questions and how to tackle them. Conceptual and analytical approach will be combined with hands-on activities and group discussions.

The teacher is Dr. Eli Lebow who did his undergraduate work at Harvard University in mathematics and physics, and his Ph.D. at Cal in mathematics. Among other places, he taught middle school students at the Academic Talent Development Program in Berkeley, and undergraduate students at UC Berkeley.

• The class is for 8 – 11th grade students.
• It is a term long class that meets once a week for 1 hour.

Math for Families:

Math for Families gives parents the opportunity to share classroom experience with their child. Have you ever thought of going back to school? And not only that but being in the same classroom as your child, working together on engaging math problems? We have opened up one of the Firecracker’s classrooms to parents!
Why:
1. Parents like to be involved in their children’s activities, but often this involvement means supervising them, mentoring them or just asking them questions. We are giving parents the opportunity to be involved by SHARING the classroom experience with your child.
2. In most activities that parents share with their children, parents are the ones who are more experienced, more skillful, or more advanced. At our math program, math topics are extra-curricular, so most parents are just as new to them as the students. This would allow you to be on “equal” footing with your child. Sometimes, you will be the one to help your child to solve a problem, but sometimes your student will give you an idea that you hadn’t thought of before.
3. In many families, math is defined as difficult, boring, or a not-so-cool subject. It’s not typically a subject that you would do at home just for fun. We want to show you and your child that it doesn’t have to be this way! When you leave our lessons, you won’t be able to stop talking about the problems you just worked on in class! You’ll be dying to uncover that mathematical explanation to the magic tricks you just saw during the lessons. Or you will simply want to look up some curious math facts online!
4. It’s free for parents! You only pay the regular fee for your child.

Put off your other chores and responsibilities and come to immerse yourself and your child in the wonderful world of mathematics. 

• The class is for 4-6th grade students.
• Class starts September 10 – December 17.  The class meets every other week for 1 hour. 
• Fee: $280 for the term.

Click HERE to Register

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Introduction to Calculus:

Can an arrow reach its destination if it first passes through an infinite number of points in between? How fast is a ball you throw going at the peak of its path? Is it possible to add up infinitely many numbers? What does it mean for a car to have a certain speed at a certain instant if it doesn’t travel any distance in that instant? These and other questions are the focus of calculus, and we will investigate them in this course. Students will explore and understand the concepts of SLOPE, LIMIT, and DERIVATIVE and how they are connected. There won’t be much calculation, but many mental experiments, concept discussions, and fun working together as a group. There will be minimal mandatory homework.

• The class is for 6-10th grade students. 6th and 7th graders must have already taken Pre-Algebra course or equivalent at their school. 
• It is a term-long class that meets once a week from 5 pm to 6:15 pm. 
• Fee: $540 for the term.

The teacher is Dr. Eli Lebow, who did his undergraduate work at Harvard University in mathematics and physics and his Ph.D. at Cal in mathematics. Among other places, he taught middle school students at the Academic Talent Development Program in Berkeley.

Click HERE to Register

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