MC² Math-Genius
Math-Genius was created in the days of compass, protractor, slide-rule, pencils, paper, and abacus, with no computers and limited space. Today it is a 22nd century program working with the toughest (on-the-bubble) kids who are in danger of truancy or dropping out of school altogether. Its primary goal is to keep these kids in school, through high school graduation, and then assisting them in their pursuit of higher education. 75- 85% of participants have been successful in this quest
From the beginning, the tutoring focus of Math-Genius has been “the average” student with a 2.0 GPA or lower. Students are in grades 8-10 (and up) and range from 15-19 years old. Math-Genius concentrates on a variety of math, science and technical subjects which lead to graduation. The program is free for all who have verifiable school ID’s.
Math-Genius began 20+ years ago, with elementary age students, but the prime mover and supporter of this MC² program, Pastor Wadie Lanier of the New Temple of God church, off Barbour St, in Hartford's Unity Plaza, suggested targeting specifically the older students, which has happened since 2006. Through both “after-school” and Saturday programming four days per week, adolescent lives have been changed, understanding has turned around, GPA’s have improved, and students have stayed in school. As the program progressed it became obvious that family and nutritional needs, as well as other socioeconomic problems were present, so the focus of this MC² program was modified to serve the whole person, and not just “educational needs.”
Program Details
*College age tutors, and retirees, serve at a 1:2 (sometimes 1:1) ratio in a straight tutoring program
* Special subject areas are taught by professionals from the specific area of study
* Dr. Robert Brown (deceased) helped develop the program and taught for 5 years
* Michael Gordon, MC² instructor and curriculum specialist, has served from 2007-present*
*MC² teaches basic 101 courses which concentrate on:
Basic math
Fractions
Algebra
Calculus
Trigonometry
Physics
*MC² technology, Inc., a 501c(3) private not-for-profit organization, can design/build its own curriculum as needed
*Saturdays are utilized for field trips or hands-on workshop opportunities based on the week's specific curriculum
*On-line courses designed to bridge the digital divide are available for all participants
*Special programming - including films or lectures on current or historic subjects related to math or science - is inserted monthly into the Saturday schedule
*Five levels of assessment/evaluation make sure that the program and the participants are “on-target”
*food/beverage and transportation are key elements of all programming
An Overview
MC² Math-Genius is designed to enhance the average “capital C” student (or lower) in such areas as logic, the basic language of math/science, critical thinking, and a universal understanding of numeric computation. In doing so, each student has the opportunity to develop his/her skills to the highest personal potential possible. As each student developed such potential, building a personal sense of strength and awareness, they learned that they could apply these understandings to any subject area in life, because at its core, everything in our universe is numbers.
Of the 224 program participants, who, because of their specific age, have been able to complete the MC² program, 75-85% did graduate from high school, as previously noted, and most of those have graduated from college including technical colleges.
Less than 1% chose to go into military service; 5 have since earned post-graduate degrees.
All who graduate from high school are recipients of MC² scholarships and/or other awards to assist them in their post high school pursuits.