The Mathematics Theory & Foundations Lab

A PhD-led apprenticeship series preparing San Ramon students for success in the highest levels of STEM.

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Moving Beyond Standard Calculation

Standard middle school math—even in accelerated tracks—focuses heavily on rote memorization and procedural calculation. However, true success in high school Honors, AP Calculus, and university-level engineering requires an entirely different skill: formal logic. We bridge this critical gap. We don't just teach students how to calculate an answer; we teach them exactly why a mathematical statement is true.

See a derivation from week six of Course 1 →

The "Scribe" Method

No passive worksheets. As students advance through the course series, they act as "scribes," transcribing formal whiteboard derivations to build their own permanent, theory reference textbook.

Logical Thinking

Students master the fundamentals of algebra and geometry, learning to formally prove mathematical rules rather than blindly memorizing them.

Oral Recitation

To test their understanding and build speaking confidence, students regularly defend their mathematical thinking out loud to the class, mirroring a thesis defense.

Meet Dr. Alan Kaplan

Led by a local San Ramon resident and engineer who created this program as a community project to share his passion for mathematics. His goal is to help local students bridge the gap between standard calculation and true, high-level logic.

  • PhD in Electrical Engineering
  • Current Research Engineer: Developing algorithms at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.
  • University Teaching: NYU Polytechnic Institute and Washington University in St. Louis.

Fall Quarter: Course 1

This is the first step in a multi-part, sequential curriculum. Students who successfully complete Course 1 will seamlessly advance to Course 2 in the Winter quarter.

Ages: 11–13 (6th & 7th Grade)

Dates: Wednesdays 9/23 - 11/4 (7 Weeks)

Times: 4:15 pm - 5:45 pm

Format: In-person at San Ramon Community Center

Cost: $295, plus a $20 materials fee

Course 1 Prerequisites

Before proceeding with Course 1, students should be able to perform multi-digit arithmetic. Please use our self-test to verify your student's readiness. If they need additional study, we provide a complete, self-paced study guide.