Pathways History and Details
PROMYS Pathways, originally launched as PROMYS Math Circle in 2017, was created to provide mathematics enrichment opportunities for students in Massachusetts, with a special focus on those from low-income backgrounds or underrepresented in STEM fields.
Pathways provides stimulating programming and a supportive mathematical community for students to explore novel mathematics concepts. Under the guidance of mentors (teachers, often PROMYS for Teachers alumni, and graduate students in mathematics), Pathways offers a yearly summer program, exploration-based math circles during the school year, and special collaborative events.
Pathways Summer Program
In 2020, PROMYS launched the PROMYS Pathways Program in response to the growing need for rigorous mathematical opportunities for low-income and underrepresented students. Each summer, participants commute to Boston University for approximately six hours of collaborative problem-solving, field trips, and special activities. On most days, students engage with specially designed problem sets that emphasize mathematical exploration, guided by mentors, including teachers, PROMYS for Teachers alumni, and graduate students. PROMYS Pathways covers public transportation and provides daily lunches for all students.
The program hopes to provide a foundation for students to explore their math or STEM interests even further. For example, since 2017, fourteen PROMYS Pathways students have participated in the residential PROMYS Immersion Program. With the experience from Pathways, these students were prepared for further mathematics exploration.
In-School Math Circles
The following high-needs public schools have run PROMYS math circles:
Boston Collegiate Charter School • Boston Latin Academy (Dorchester) • Brockton High School •
Cambridge Rindge and Latin School • Chelsea High School • City on a Hill (Dudley Square) •
Everett High School • John D. O’Bryant School of Mathematics & Sciences • Lawrence High School •
Malden High School • Pioneer Charter School of Science (Everett) • Revere High School •
Somerville High School • University Park Campus School (Worcester) • Waltham High School
Many PROMYS for Teachers alumni serve as mentors in the schools where they teach.
Virtual Math Circle
A virtual PROMYS math circle serves students from other schools where a math circle has not yet been established. Mentoring is conducted by graduate students in mathematics with experience in the PROMYS program. We welcome inquiries from MA teachers on behalf of their eligible students. Interested? Apply here!
Special Events
Throughout the school year, PROMYS organizes several special events to bring together the different math circles. These occasions serve to create a mathematical community across PMC. Recent events include:
- Math Empowerment Week at the Boston Public Library
- Math Collaborations facilitated by Dr. Ken Fan of Girls’ Angle
- Math Field Day with workshops run by Boston University undergraduate math majors
- Knot Just Numbers workshop hosted by the MIT Museum
- Field trip to the National Museum of Mathematics (MoMath) in New York City
Sponsors
Pathways is grateful for support from the following sponsors:
