The program encourages young women to pursue careers with a foundation in mathematics by providing an intensive skills-building summer course. The long-range goal, says Pagni, is to help more young women succeed in calculus, thus opening the door to such university majors as chemistry, engineering, geology, biology, physics and math and the careers they inspire.

The short-term goal is to address the needs of female high school students who are college bound and succeeding in all course work except math. With the program’s intensive training, students regain the confidence and skills needed to succeed, according to Pagni.

Participants study six hours a day, Monday through Friday, focusing on either algebra 2 or precalculus. But it’s not all book work. The goal is to make the lessons fun and interesting, so students work in teams on projects, posters and other activities, says Pagni, a longtime leader in mathematics education.

Photos by Patrick O'Donnell.