Department of Mathematics and Computer Science
Mathletics
About Mathletics
Mathletics is funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and designed to immerse middle grades youth (current 6th, 7th, & 8th graders) in the rapidly growing world of sports data analytics and build their knowledge of statistical concepts and the data science process. The program is particularly focused on engaging African American and Latinx youth, in an effort to deepen their STEM knowledge and introduce them to STEM fields. Mathletics is a year-long project with three components:
- Sports Data Analytic Saturdays - These occur 4 - 8 times during the academic school year
- Spring Summit - A day-long experience for participants and their families to see the student research projects
- A daily, 3-week summer camp
The program is hosted by the Coppin State University Mathematics and Computer Science department.
Activities are led by Coppin faculty, local math teachers (high-school or college level) and Coppin undergraduate students majoring in a Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) field. Students not only learn practical skills, such as how to collect data and perform statistical analysis of the data but also engage in an end-of-camp, personal statistics project in a field of interest to them. The program exposes students to campus recreational activities, athletic coaches, and data collection and its use in decision making by sports teams.
Program Activities
- Mini sports combine and other informal sports activities for students where they engage in various sporting events, followed by performing statistical measurements on their times and measurements compared to other Mathletes
- Field trip to Washington Mystics basketball game where students collect statistical measurements of professional basketball players, followed by comparison of their measurements to those taken by the professional statisticians of the teams playing
- Recreation time at various local recreational facilities
- Trip to University of Maryland, College Park basketball arena Xfinity Center
- Interactions and presentations from athletic coaches on the importance and use of mathematics in athletics and coaching
- Gather and analyze survey data from Coppin students on campus
Apply to Mathletics
Applications now open for academic year 2023 - 2024
Mathletics is open to students currently in grades 6, 7, or 8. The application is required, and students must participate for the entire academic school year. There is a $25 refundable registration cost to participate. The fee is due immediately after the student is accepted (May 2023) to the program.
2023-2024 Cohort Dates
| Activity | Date(s) | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Applications | March - May 2023 | |
| Notification of Acceptance | May 2023 | |
| Camp | July 10, 2023 - July 28, 2023 (Monday-Friday) | 9:00am - 3:00pm |
| Sports Analytic Saturdays | Dates to be announced | 9:00am - 1:00pm |
| Spring Summit | May 2024 | 9:00am - 2:00pm |
Mathletics is hiring for 2023-2024!
The Mathletics program includes a three week program in the summer, and 8 Saturday sessions spread out across the school year. Learn about our open positions and apply.
The Coppin State University Mathletics Program is seeking two highly motivated, energized, and knowledgeable high school math/statistics teachers, college instructors/professors, or individuals with statistics teaching experience. Each instructor will be required to teach introductory statistics concepts to up to 25 high-performing middle school girls and boys. Through instruction, the teacher will be able to demonstrate how data analysis and sports intersect, both academically and professionally. The two instructors will be supported by a total of four undergraduate students who are pursuing a STEM major. We are interested in applicants who have exhibited experience and interest in the following areas:
- Basic statistical applications in sports and related fields
- Sports coaching experience
- Sports trends and stats
- Basic data visualization technology
The Coppin State University Mathletics Program is looking for four highly motivated, energized, and knowledgeable undergraduate STEM majors (or undergraduates who know how to support statistics learning) to assist certified teachers as they teach data analytics and statistics to middle grades students. The assistant instructor position requires that the undergraduate student be adept at engaging students through individual and group activities that are academically relevant for students. Additionally, the undergraduate students are expected to plan group sports activities that will engage all student participants and actively engage the sports with the students.
The Coppin State University Mathletics Program is looking for a highly motivated, energized, and knowledgeable program coordinator to work closely with the program directors to implement a three-week summer mathematics/data analysis program for up to 50 traditionally underrepresented students in STEM. This position requires that the applicant has some prior program coordination experience and coaching experience, has an adept ability to interact professionally with parents, other professionals on and off campus, summer staff, and students leading up to and during the program.
Mathletics is funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF).
Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.
