For our society to remain competitive in an advancedtechnological era, a good science education is critical,regardless of what a child’s eventual course of studywill be. The good news is that for most children,science continues to be a source of fascination, andparents can play an active role in tapping into thatcuriosity and contributing to their success.

The American Association for the Advancement of Science

Science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) contribute tohealthy, productive and rewarding lives for you and your children. These arethe disciplines that address infectious disease, organ and tissue replacements,nutrition, world food supplies, renewable energy sources, the safe transformation ofhazardous contaminants, affordable building structures, more efficient transportation,communications and computing systems, and so much more!

In the 21st century, many new and emerging career opportunities willbe in STEM fields such as genomics, proteomics, bioinformatics, chemicalinformatics, green technology, nanotechnology, and data warehousing andmining. How do you get your children ready for STEM careers in a globalsociety? How can you prepare your children for advanced collegepreparatory courses in physics, biology, chemistry and calculus?

The first step is to get your child involved at a young age in mathematics andscience experiences that are grounded in imagination and inquiry. In IMSAprograms, students ask compelling questions that interest them and havemeaning in their everyday lives. Then working with IMSA teachers and students,they pursue their questions by collecting facts and information, analyzing data andrecommending solutions. As a result, IMSA learners retain their sense of wonderand discovery because they put academic concepts to good use by solvingreal-world problems.

FastFACTS for Parents:

>>>Do you like to solve mysteries and puzzles?Do you like to ask questions and find answers?Do you like to build things or take them apart?

CONGRATULATIONS...IMSA student programs are for you!

Be part of IMSA’s student programs that get you on the fast track to coolprograms in the hot subjects of science, technology, engineering andmathematics (STEM).

IMSA’s StudentPrograms Are MINDS-ON:Be the scientist! Ask questions, gather facts, examine dataand make conclusions! Why do explosions produce loudnoises? Why do buildings fall during earthquakes? Whathappens when we run out of phone numbers? Why do somepeople get sick from cold and flu and others don’t? Areenvironmental factors producing mutated frogs?

IMSA’s StudentPrograms Are HANDS-ON:Be the inventor! Make and launch rockets. Build robots andcatapults. Create composites of criminal suspects. Programyour own blockbuster video games.

Bring YourWILD IMAGINATION and BIG DREAMSWhether you imagine building the world’s fastest roller coaster,inventing new sources of fuel or discovering new species at the bottomof the ocean, IMSA programs spark your interests, fuel your imagination andget you on the path to fulfilling your big dreams!

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ILLINOIS MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE ACADEMY®

ARE YOUREADY?

The internationally recognized Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy®

(IMSA) develops creative, ethical leaders in science, technology, engineeringand mathematics. As a teaching and learning laboratory created by theState of Illinois, IMSA enrolls academically talented Illinois students (grades10-12) in its advanced, residential college preparatory program, and it servesthousands of educators and students in Illinois and beyond through innovativeinstructional programs that foster imagination and inquiry. IMSA alsoadvances education through research, groundbreaking ventures and strategicpartnerships. (www.imsa.edu)

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We, as parents, send our children to IMSA because theylove to learn and be around other children who alsoenjoy learning. Our children are excited about beingtaught by energetic and motivated IMSA students andstaff. As parents, we want to give our children the bestopportunity in life to succeed and that is why we send ourchildren to IMSA. They love the different cultural mix ofstudents. IMSA provides a stimulating learning environmentwith academic as well as hands-on activities.

Parents of IMSA Student Program Participants

ILLINOIS MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE ACADEMY®

igniting and nurturing creative, ethical scientific mindsthat advance the human condition

Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy®

1500 West Sullivan RoadAurora, Illinois 60506-1000630-907-5000

www.imsa.edu

©2008 Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy® Printed bythe authority of the State of Illinois, 3000, 11/08, P.O. #6542

WHAT DO YOU DO NOW?Go To:• www.imsa.edu/studentprograms

Or Call:• IMSA Student Enrichment Programs

at 630-907-5950

• IMSA Three-Year Residential College PreparatoryProgram and PROMISE at 630-907-5028 or(800) 500-IMSA

STUDENTS:

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IMSA® STUDENT PROGRAMS

Kids Institute (KI) provides weekend STEM programs that arefast-paced, hands-on and integrative. All KI programs are

designed and delivered by IMSA students who serve as teachers andmentors to inspire younger students and ignite their interests in science,technology and mathematics.

Summer@IMSA provides a wide array of dayand residential learning explorations in science,

mathematics and technology for students in grades 3-9. Integrative andhands on, IMSA’s summer programs enable Illinois students to discover thewonders of learning as they apply mathematics and science to build rockets,investigate simulated crimes, confront local environmental issues, diagnosediseases and much more! All summer programs use a collaborative inquirymodel, giving participants a “one of a kind” learning experience.

PROMISE – Middle School enables talented underrepresented andeconomically disadvantaged students in grade 8 to "get in high

gear" for an intense two-week summer residential opportunity that stimulatesinterest in and develops skills in mathematics, science and English. Throughinnovative group inquiry and problem-solving activities, the program promotesinterpersonal and academic growth.

PROMISE – High School enables talented underrepresented andeconomically disadvantaged students in grade 9 to become part of

an action-packed Saturday enrichment program that integrates mathematics,science and English in discovery-based and collaborative research activities.Students also accelerate their dreams for a bright future by preparing for theScholastic Assessment Test (SAT), an important component of the applicationprocess to IMSA’s three-year, residential college preparatory program and tocolleges and universities.

Three-Year Residential College Preparatory Program enablesacademically talented Illinois students in grades 10-12 to reach

extraordinary levels of achievement. IMSA’s highly accomplished facultyand innovative student inquiry and research programs enable students toearn awards from national and global competitions. Personalized learningopportunities, coupled with a world-class, advanced college prepcurriculum in mathematics, science, the humanities, English, arts and music,make the IMSA college prep experience truly unique. Student activitiesinclude 18 interscholastic sports, co-curricular activities, and numerousstudent-run clubs and organizations. With a 99% college placement rate inthe nation’s most competitive colleges and universities, an IMSA collegeprep experience is an exceptional investment in a child’s future.

IMSA on Wheels (IoW) gets your engines running! IoW is a mobilescience theater offered to elementary schools throughout the

Chicagoland area. IoW, an assembly-style show for elementary students ingrades 3-5, sparks student interest in science and encourages learning. Theprogram is designed and presented by IMSA students with guidance fromIMSA faculty and staff. Schools can contact IMSA to get information aboutthe IoW mobile science theater and the IoW DVD series.

Excellence 2000+ (E2K+) puts students who are talented andinterested in mathematics and science in the fast lane of a high

energy afterschool enrichment program at their own schools. The programincludes professional development for teachers in participating schools.Schools complete an application process to participate.

Project School Visit (PSV) is a classroom field trip visit to theAcademy for underrepresented and economically disadvantaged

students in grades 6, 7 and 8. Visiting students participate in a hands-onscience project taught by IMSA faculty and students, tour campus, enjoylunch in the cafeteria, and most importantly, learn more about IMSAprogram opportunities. Schools can contact IMSA for more information.

Illinois Virtual High School (IVHS) is a virtual path to“anytime, anyplace” online offerings for thousands of

students in high school and some in middle school classrooms throughoutIllinois. One out of every three high schools in Illinois uses IVHS servicesadministered by IMSA on behalf of the Illinois State Board of Education.Schools can learn more by contacting IMSA or IVHS.

IMSA – ComEd CyberQuiz 4Kids rocks and shocks withmonthly online mathematics and science brainteasers and

word problems for Illinois students in grades 6-9. Students who submitcorrect answers become eligible for random prize drawings. Go toIMSA’s home page (www. imsa.edu) to take the CyberQuiz challenge!

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