Fermi Math League Summer Program Information

                       The Famous Fermi VWs:  Fill the trunks with roaches,                             lobsters, mice, ladybugs....or gold, please!

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The Fermi Off-the-Wall Math League is an internet-based math competition appropriate for enrichment, small group work and individuals wanting creative, technology- rich experiences. In its tenth year, the Fermi Math League is open to school districts and individual students world-wide. Last session had over 150 kids and teams playing around with math, art and technology.

Summer Fermi Math-in-Your-Bathrobe begins July 7. 

Student Registration materials are available here for individual students and teams.  Upon registration, user names and passwords are issued via email confirmations.  Schools wishing to use Fermi materials may pay a flat fee for the academic year.  Group rates are available for math classes.

School Registration Form for Fermi Off-the-Wall Math League

So what is Fermi Math all about? What makes it Fermi?               

A Fermi question is posed with limited information given.

• How many water balloons would it take fill grandma's bathtub?
• How many cockroaches will fill the trunk of a VW Beetle?
• How much fabric would it take to make a camo-suit for Moby Dick?

        A Fermi question requires that students ask many more questions.

• What are the approximate dimensions of the bathtub?
• What kind of roaches?  Gigantic tropical ones, or common German roaches?
• Do you want that camo-suit with or without a hood?
  …and the list goes on.                                                                                                                                                   A Fermi question demands communication and writing.
  A Fermi question utilizes estimation and guesses.
  A Fermi question emphasizes process rather than "the" answer.

Does this sound like fun? Do you like to measure, estimate, and play around with technology? Love Powerpoint?  Got a digital camera or a great camera on your phone?

Fermites (Fermi students) access one Off-the-Wall problem per week online, work at the solution over the space of a week and a weekend. A model is constructed and added to the email entry as an attachment.

Creativity and wild topics make Fermi an ideal solution for home enrichment, small groups at school, independent study or neighborhood fun. Any interested student may register and participate. No carpools or schedues to meet!

Schools are especially interested in constructed response activities to help students gain experience and practice with this math area before winter and spring standardized testing.  Fermi Math emphasizes writing about your math...ideal for the integration of subjects.

Check out the right sidebar for samples, tips, rules, scoring rubrics, checklists, and more. 

Join us for the four-week Summer Session!  No car pools… all internet/email based. (Where else can you take a four-week class for $40? And wear your bathrobe or swim suit while doing  so from your home?

FAQ (frequently asked questions) page answers many questions.

• Students may work solo, or in teams up to four
• Divisions for grades 1–2, 3–4, 5–6 plus 7-9 regular and 7-9 "web designer" division
• All work done on internet via email—no boundaries, no carpools! Work with friends, classmates and neighbors.
• Passwords and usernames will be issued after registration is received.
• Model archive is available online to registered students and schools
• Rules and tips are available to all online
• Grade 1/2 problems are "family math" oriented—parents and kids as partners (students register and pay fee; parents do not pay fee as partner)
• Perfect as enrichment model or for independent study; great small group activity.
• No car pools—great math fun for neighborhood kids
• Prizes—medals, ribbons, certificates, fame, possible Nobel prizes...
• Student registration materials available are now available for the Summer Session.

Registration: Checks payable to Intermediate District 287.

Schools: We will take POs.

Complete forms and send to:

Fermi Math-  attn:  Karen Newell
Intermediate District 287 Gifted Services
1820 Xenium Lane North
Plymouth, MN 55441

Questions? Please contact Karen Newell, 287 Academic Services
kmnewell@district287.org

Start Here July 7!

Free Summer Try-It Problem

The Fermi Off-the-Wall Math League is an internet-based math competition appropriate for enrichment, small group work and individuals wanting creative, technology-rich experiences. In its tenth year, the Fermi Math League is open to school districts and individual students world-wide.

       

Divisions:

• 1-2 (Family Math)
• 3-4 email
• 5-6 email
• 7-9 email
  
• 7-9 web based
  *All Internet Based!
  
    Email rules!