The Saturday Academy in Mathematics (SAM) is an academic enrichment program.  SAM is a collaborative effort between the University of California, Irvine’s Center for Educational Partnerships, EAOP, GEAR UP Santa Ana, the Irvine Mathematics Project, and participating secondary schools.

SAM provides middle school students with additional mathematical instruction in Pre- Algebra, Algebra, and Geometry so that students can fully comprehend advanced mathematical concepts. UC Irvine undergraduate students work alongside trained teachers to assist the instruction and serve as a coach to the students.  SAM sessions are held each Saturday morning for a 6- week period.  In addition, parent sessions are held to provide valuable information on pre-collegiate preparation, higher education options and financial aid.

The Saturday Academy in Mathematics provides participants with an opportunity to enhance their academic achievement and personal growth.

• SAM students participate in a closing ceremony held at UC Irvine.  During that day, students are exposed to the university campus through a campus tour, are given valuable information about higher education, and participate in many team building and motivation building activities.
  
  
•  The curriculum for all three components is written by the Center for Educational
  
  
•  Partnerships and the Irvine Mathematics  Project  (IMP).  IMP writes the standard based curriculum, provides materials and manipulatives to teachers, provides professional development to the SAM teachers and trains the undergraduate students who assist the teachers in the classroom.
  
  
• The activities embedded in the curriculum are exciting and fun!  Students are taught many of the concepts using an array of fun “toys” such as remote control cars, rubber balls, Lego-type shapes, and more.  In addition, students are asked to work in groups and in the outdoors during much of the academy.
  
  
• All participants receive academic advising by a UC Irvine representative during the academy.  Students are exposed to the UC/CSU course requirements as well as to the specific courses that are offered at the high school they attend, or will attend in the future.  Students are also given information about required testing.
  
  
• All parents and students receive an extensive orientation that covers goals and benefits of the SAM program, attendance policies, scheduling, and participant expectation.
  
  

• 2007-2008