Elevate Your Learning & Portfolio
Offered by Active Learning Institute | Mentored by Prof. Vinay Kodipelly
This isn't just another summer math class — this is a chance to get published, build a high-impact portfolio project, and work directly with a university professor on a one-of-a-kind academic initiative. You'll be mastering Pre-Calculus while learning how to explain it clearly, professionally typeset it, and make it accessible for others.
The "Eastern Way" Advantage: Our unique approach bridges the often-missed depth in traditional U.S.-based pre-calculus and algebra courses. Drawing on robust algebraic traditions and problem-solving methodologies from India (NCERT), Singapore, the UK (GCSE), and Europe, this program will introduce you to rapid problem-solving methods, creative algebraic identities, and over 200+ carefully curated non-routine puzzles and challenging problems. You’ll develop deeper conceptual understanding and versatile thinking for advanced STEM studies.
Key Benefits for Students
- Deepen your understanding of Pre-Calculus through rigorous learning and personal mentorship.
- Benefit from The Eastern Way approach: Master diverse problem-solving techniques, creative algebraic identities, and tackle 200+ challenging problems from renowned international curricula (NCERT, GCSE, Singapore).
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Learn digital publishing skills: Start with LaTeX and Markdown for professional math writing, then see your work transformed into a modern, interactive online HTML textbook.
Contribute to interactive examples, applets (Desmos/GeoGebra), quizzes, or dynamic diagrams for readers worldwide.
- Write and publish a chapter under your name in a publicly available, interactive textbook.
- Earn a certificate documenting 25+ hours of rigorous academic engagement.
- Feature your work in your Common App, resume, or college interview portfolio.
- Stand out with a real, published academic project — not just a course grade.
The final book will be released as an interactive HTML resource (MIT License) on the Active Learning Institute platform, with each student's chapter individually credited. This resource will be free and publicly available for all students and teachers worldwide to use in their learning or teaching. You’ll also gain experience with digital publishing workflows.
Note: This program is an independent enrichment opportunity offered by Active Learning Institute LLC and is not affiliated with or accredited by any school or district. Students may request their school or teacher to consider this for independent study or enrichment credit, but recognition is entirely at the discretion of the school and is not guaranteed.
Upon request, we can provide an official letter detailing the curriculum and acknowledging the student’s work and hours completed, which may be submitted to your school for consideration.
Program Structure
- 8 Weeks | Self-Paced Learning Modules | Asynchronous with Personalized Mentorship
- Curriculum enriched with 200+ problems from international sources (NCERT, GCSE, Singaporean).
- Focus on rapid problem-solving, creative algebraic identities, and non-routine puzzles.
- Additional mentorship, feedback, and technical guidance throughout the program.
- Only 8 highly motivated students accepted per cohort.
- Application required with interview for selection.
Eligibility: Best suited for students who have completed Algebra II and are prepared for Pre-Calculus or beyond (rising 10th–12th grade). Strong math curiosity, commitment, and a willingness to write and revise are essential.
Asynchronous & Self-Paced: This program is fully asynchronous. Students work through all modules at their own pace, with ongoing guidance and feedback from the mentor, while authoring a chapter for the collaborative textbook.
This is a serious commitment. If you're applying to competitive colleges or STEM programs, this is a major way to stand out — not just another extracurricular.
Program Roadmap & Curriculum: An 8-Week Intensive Journey
This 8-week curriculum represents a recommended pace for mastering the full Pre-Calculus curriculum and developing your authored chapter, but students may proceed as fits their schedule. All students will learn the complete curriculum while developing one authored chapter as a capstone. Each week, you will dive into core Pre-Calculus concepts using "The Eastern Way" approach (engaging with challenging problems from international curricula), simultaneously develop your technical writing skills in LaTeX and Markdown, and actively work on creating and typesetting your chapter for our collaborative HTML textbook. This is a hands-on, project-driven learning environment.
Week 1: Foundations – Functions & Digital Authorship
- Pre-Calculus Focus: Comprehensive review and deep dive into Functions (domains, ranges, graphs, transformations, operations, compositions, inverses). Introduction to advanced problem-solving strategies.
- Technical Skill Focus: Introduction to Markdown for structured outlining and LaTeX fundamentals for basic mathematical expressions. Setting up your typesetting environment (e.g., Overleaf).
- Chapter Development: Understanding the collaborative book's vision, brainstorming and selecting your preliminary chapter topic, initial outlining techniques.
Week 2: Polynomials, Rational Functions & Core LaTeX
- Pre-Calculus Focus: Exploring Polynomial Functions (graphing, end behavior, zeros) and Rational Functions (asymptotes, holes, graphing). Continued application of diverse problem-solving methods.
- Technical Skill Focus: Mastering LaTeX for equations, arrays, and mathematical symbols. Structuring documents in LaTeX.
- Chapter Development: Refining chapter scope, developing a detailed outline, and beginning to draft introductory content with typeset examples.
Week 3: Exponential, Logarithms & Typesetting Proficiency
- Pre-Calculus Focus: In-depth study of Exponential and Logarithmic Functions (properties, equations, applications like growth/decay).
- Technical Skill Focus: Advanced LaTeX techniques: custom commands, environments, and incorporating simple graphics or diagrams. Start learning how content is converted into interactive HTML.
- Chapter Development: Drafting a significant portion of your chapter, focusing on clear explanations and integrating typeset mathematical content.
Week 4: Trigonometric Functions & Initial Drafts
- Pre-Calculus Focus: Introduction to Trigonometric Functions (unit circle, right triangle, graphs of sine, cosine, tangent, and their inverses).
- Technical Skill Focus: Efficiently typesetting complex trigonometric expressions and graphs. Introduction to collaborative writing tools and version control basics. Experiment with embedding interactive elements.
- Chapter Development: Completing the first full draft of your chapter. Peer-review workshop planning.
Week 5: Analytic Trigonometry & Constructive Feedback
- Pre-Calculus Focus: Mastering Analytic Trigonometry (identities, solving trigonometric equations).
- Technical Skill Focus: Best practices for mathematical exposition and clarity in typesetting. Preparing documents for review and interactive conversion.
- Chapter Development: Participating in guided peer-review sessions, providing and receiving constructive feedback on drafted chapters.
Week 6: Advanced Topics & Revision Techniques
- Pre-Calculus Focus: Applications of Trigonometry (e.g., Law of Sines/Cosines, Vectors) or selected topics like Polar Coordinates/Complex Plane.
- Technical Skill Focus: Refining LaTeX skills for professional presentation, table creation, and consistent styling. Enhance HTML interactivity in your chapter if possible.
- Chapter Development: Intensive revision of your chapter based on peer and mentor feedback. Focusing on accuracy, clarity, and engagement.
Week 7: Conics/Sequences & Polishing Your Chapter
- Pre-Calculus Focus: Study of Conic Sections (parabolas, ellipses, hyperbolas) or an introduction to Sequences and Series.
- Technical Skill Focus: Final checks for typesetting consistency, proofreading mathematical notation, and overall document polish. Add or refine interactive elements.
- Chapter Development: Finalizing all content, examples, and explanations. Ensuring your chapter aligns with the book's overall style and quality standards.
Week 8: Final Review, Publishing & Future Steps
- Pre-Calculus Focus: Capstone problem-solving sessions, review of key concepts, and potentially a brief introduction to Calculus concepts (e.g., limits) as a bridge to future studies.
- Technical Skill Focus: Preparing the final LaTeX/Markdown source for compilation into a polished, interactive HTML textbook. Understanding the open licensing (MIT) and online publication process.
- Chapter Development: Final mentor review, submission of your completed chapter, and celebration of your contribution to the published work! Discussion on how to leverage this publication for your college and scholarship applications.
About the Mentor
Prof. Vinay Kanth Rao Kodipelly is a mathematics educator and Assistant Teaching Professor at the University of Missouri–St. Louis, known for bridging rigorous problem-solving and innovative learning experiences for advanced students. He is passionate about leveraging international pedagogical approaches and technology to deepen mathematical understanding and foster a love for STEM. Read more about Prof. Kodipelly.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Who is this program for?
This program is best suited for highly motivated students who have completed Algebra II and are prepared for Pre-Calculus or beyond (typically rising 10th–12th graders). A strong curiosity for mathematics, commitment to the program, and a willingness to write and revise are essential.
What is "The Eastern Way" approach?
Our "Eastern Way" approach integrates robust algebraic traditions and problem-solving methodologies from international curricula, particularly from India (NCERT), Singapore, and the UK (GCSE). This includes a focus on creative algebraic identities, rapid problem-solving techniques, and exposure to over 200+ non-routine puzzles and challenging problems designed to build deeper conceptual understanding.
Is this program accredited or affiliated with any school?
No, this program is an independent enrichment opportunity offered by Active Learning Institute LLC and is not affiliated with or accredited by any school or district. We can provide an official letter detailing the curriculum and student's work for potential independent study credit consideration by their school, but this is at the school's discretion.
What are the technical requirements?
Students will need a reliable internet connection, a computer capable of running a modern web browser, and access to tools for creating LaTeX documents (e.g., Overleaf, which is free and web-based). Guidance will be provided for setting up any necessary software.
What is the time commitment?
While the program is self-paced over 8 weeks, students should expect to dedicate several hours per week to learning Pre-Calculus concepts, working on problem sets, and developing their textbook chapter. The exact time will vary based on the student's prior knowledge and pace.
What if I have no experience with LaTeX or Markdown?
No prior experience with LaTeX or Markdown is required. The program includes instruction and resources to learn these tools from scratch. The focus is on learning by doing, with mentorship to guide you.
How will my chapter be published?
Your authored chapter, along with those of other students in the cohort, will be compiled into a single, interactive HTML textbook. This textbook will be published on the Active Learning Institute platform under an MIT License, making it freely accessible to students and educators worldwide. You will be credited as the author of your chapter.
Cost & Application
Program Fee: $600
Application Process: To apply, please email your details to stlactivelearning@gmail.com. Include the following:
- Your current grade level and mathematics courses completed.
- A brief statement about your interest in mathematics and this program.
- Any prior experience with coding, writing, or authoring (not required, but helpful to know).
- What you hope to achieve through this program.
- Your expected availability and time commitment for an 8-week program.
Suitable candidates may be invited for a brief online interview prior to acceptance.
For any questions not covered in the FAQ, please email stlactivelearning@gmail.com
Apply Now / Express Interest