PROMYS Pathways Rising Scholars

Rising Scholars is intended for Massachusetts students entering 9th grade who would benefit from opportunities to explore mathematics beyond the regular school curriculum.

We welcome students with a wide range of mathematical backgrounds. Previous participation in mathematics competitions, advanced courses, or enrichment programs is not required.

PROMYS Pathways is particularly committed to reaching students who have had limited access to extracurricular mathematics opportunities, including students from low-income backgrounds and students attending schools where opportunities for advanced or enrichment mathematics may be limited.

The most important qualities are curiosity, an openness to new ways of thinking, and a willingness to explore mathematical ideas with others.

Rising Scholars gives students the opportunity to experience mathematics as something to explore and discover, rather than simply a collection of procedures to learn.

Students investigate interesting mathematical questions, look for patterns, test ideas, make conjectures, and work toward explaining why those patterns occur. Questions that begin with simple examples can lead to surprising connections and deeper mathematical ideas.

Students have opportunities to think independently and to work with others. They share observations, compare different approaches, ask questions, and build on one another’s ideas. There is not always an obvious path to a solution, and students are encouraged to experiment, revise their thinking, and stay curious when a problem does not immediately make sense.

The goal is not to race ahead through the school curriculum. Instead, Rising Scholars gives students a chance to develop the habits of exploration, persistence, and mathematical reasoning that can help them approach new mathematics with greater confidence and curiosity.