Active Calculus: A Summer Experience

Program Abstract: A new Introduction to Calculus course was implemented in summer 2020 in response to lagging success rates in the calculus sequence. The goal was to provide an opportunity to reinforce essential concepts for calculus while simultaneously giving an introduction to college-level mathematics. Secondary goals included helping students develop social connections and exploring student support structures. This summer experience could bridge a gap in preparedness resulting in equal footing with peers in subsequent coursework. The condensed course occurred the summer before matriculation. Content included a review of functions, their decomposition, limits, and graph analysis. Pedagogy focused on active learning and inquiry-based learning. Students were identified via a placement exam for invitation to the course. Of the 120 students invited to participate, twenty-four enrolled. Preliminary data suggest students who took the Introduction to Calculus course were more successful in the subsequent calculus sequence than students who chose not to take the course.