Richard Delaware
Associate Director (1998-2003) & Mathematics Coordinator (1984-2003)
Mathematics and Physics Institute (MPI) (1984-2003)
A former program for gifted and talented high school seniors living in several local public school districts.
NOTE: The MPI was terminated by UMKC as of June 30, 2003.
The Program
The MPI existed from 1984-2003, and was a special collaborative program between the University of Missouri - Kansas City (UMKC) School of Arts and Sciences and several Missouri public school districts for high school seniors gifted and talented in science and mathematics. After being recommended by their high schools and passing an entrance test (Mathematical Association of America Calculus Readiness Test), about 40-50 students from 5-11 high schools came to the UMKC Truman campus daily from 7 - 8:45 am, before their regular high school classes, for two periods of college Calculus (UMKC MATH 210 or 220) and college Physics (UMKC PHYS 210 or 240). These were full university courses spread out over the period of the academic year, for which students received both high school and free UMKC college credit, and included extensive regular problem-solving, graphics calculator, and computer laboratory sessions. In addition, every two weeks science, mathematics, or engineering professionals appeared as enrichment speakers. One field trip was also taken each year.
MPI students were an elite group in competition with talented peers, and this competition could be stiff for those not used to the rigors of college classes, and in particular the quality of work expected by us at the MPI. Any students surviving our courses were to be commended, and those excelling were exceptional.
MPI students were divided into four sections. Three sections took Calculus I (MATH 210) distributed over two semesters. The fourth section took Calculus I (MATH 210) first semester and Calculus II (MATH 220) second semester. (Physics is organized similarly.) Two high school mathematics teachers assisted Richard Delaware in teaching these four sections.
Mathematics Technology at the MPI
The MPI required all students to have a graphics calculator and adopted the use of the SHARP EL-9600c, which we rented to MPI students for the entire MPI academic year for $10.00. If any student wished to buy one, the MPI cost was $70.00 total, less any previous MPI rental payment. This price was much lower than could be found anywhere else. We also accepted for MPI work, but did not support, the Hewlett-Packard HP-38G, HP-39G, or Texas Instruments TI-83, TI-86. We did not allow the use on MPI tests of the Hewlett-Packard HP-48G, HP-48GX, HP-49G, or Texas Instruments TI-89, TI-92 because they contained versions of computer algebra systems.
MPI Calculus courses incorporated the use of the Computer Algebra System "DERIVE, A Mathematical Assistant", which we taught to all our students at the start of the year. DERIVE and Microsoft EXCEL were also used in several Physics labs. No previous computer knowledge was assumed, and ownership of the programs was not required.
Some MPI Benefits
Sample of MPI Enrichment Talks/Field Trips
Some MPI Facts from the Annual Reports
Number of Students Finishing the MPI
MPI Calculus I (MATH 210)
MPI Calculus II (MATH 220)
Text for both Calculus courses
CALCULUS, 2nd Ed., by Finney, Demana, Waits, and Kennedy, Addison-Wesley.
Calculus I
Chapters Covered
1. Prerequisites for Calculus
2. Limits and Continuity
3. Derivatives
4. Applications of Derivatives
5. The Definite Integral
6. Differential Equations & Mathematical Modeling
7. Applications of Definite Integrals
Lectures/Problem-Solving Days
On average, of the 5 class meetings each week, two wre lectures and two were problem-solving sessions, where students work either alone or in groups discussing problems, solving them at blackboards, etc., while an instructor circulated and assisted. The fifth day was either a two-hour physics lab or there was an enrichment speaker, or field trip.
Calculus I Computer Labs
Software: DERIVE, MicroCalc, University of Arizona
Calculus II
[The structure was similar to that of Calculus I.]
Back to Top of PageWe realize much of this may be familiar to you as an experienced speaker, but we find it helpful to provide this informative list, if only as a reminder.
1. Our MPI Students are high school seniors, talented and gifted in mathematics and science, who take UMKC Calculus and non-Calculus Physics courses from us over the course of the academic year from 7:00 - 8:45 am each week day, and then return to their high schools. Of course, depending on when in the academic year you speak to them, their knowledge of these subjects will vary, but you will find that it is never necessary to talk down to them. Although their technical knowledge may sometimes be minimal, so that jargon should be made clear or even avoided, they are not merely a general public audience, nor are they a child audience. They are intelligent young adults, interested in technical subjects, and come to your talk motivated to listen and be enthusiastic. The atmosphere is informal, and can be as interactive as you like. If you seize their attention, they can be a wonderful, responsive group.
2. You will be speaking from 7:55 am to 8:45 am on a Friday morning. Please be prepared to fill the 50 minutes. Students expect a full talk, and it is always better to have too much material than too little. Of course, feel free to leave some time for questions at the end, although it may be best to encourage those questions during the body of the talk. In any case, do not go overtime. The students must leave on time to return to their high school classes. We will provide you a 5 minute warning if you like.
3. Topics for talks range widely, and we are happy to discuss possibilities with you. In general it is best to be specific, have a clear focus, and try to find a way to exhibit the nuts-and-bolts of your subject. Our students like to know how things work, and generalized hand-waving is very frustrating. Also, a snappy, informative title can help set the scene. Of course your talk should match your title, otherwise students will feel misled. Here is a sampling of some of our best speakers’ titles over the years:
4. Your talk should be about content, not about yourself. Keep personal references, your own history, etc. to a minimum, say no more than 5 minutes total. As Strunk and White say about writing: "Place yourself in the background."
5. Please have some sort of handout for the students to take away with them. We will be happy to make copies for you if you provide us the original in advance. The students may want to give more thought to what you say, find other references, or if you are willing, may want to contact you with further questions. A handout can also be how you include personal information omitted from your talk, as noted above.
6. It is also often wise to have some physical items they can view as you talk, or that they can handle afterward. Of course, there is always a balance between distracting items and stimulating ones, and not all talks lend themselves to this, but give it some thought.
7. Please do not plan a talk to be presented entirely in a darkened room, for example solely with slides. The early morning time and the darkness can easily compel sleep.
8. Please arrive early. We recommend 7:30 am, so we can check that everything is set the way you want, and you can review the setting.
9. The room in which you’ll be speaking will contain no more than about 40 students seated on folding chairs. It is carpeted, has blackout curtains on the windows, two large tables at the front for you, a projection screen, electrical outlets, and a free-standing one-panel green chalkboard. We can also provide you with a computer projection device, an overhead projector, slide projector, VCR and large monitor, and extension cords. Other items may be available with advance warning.
10. We will provide you with directions to the location of the MPI on the Truman campus of UMKC, in Independence, MO when you are in contact with us.
Let us know if you have any questions. Thanks.