The next site I've found is related, again, to robotics.
http://www.trecc.org/newslink/0407robotssummer.php
I'm actually not a huge fan of advanced robotics. I've seen one too many versions of I, Robot and get a little scared of human-like robots. However, it's a reality that can't be escaped. Besides, the kids LOVE robots and remote-controlled toys.
This site is from the University of Illinois. Every summer, they host summer school for students who have fallen behind in their math and science classes. All the math the students learn is through hands-on activities. Not all of it is related to technology, either, but much of it is. For example, students can program robots using Euclidean Geometry algorithms. What a great way to get students to better understand (and appreciate) geometry. They also use graphing calculators hooked up to distance sensors to learn about the relationship between time and distance.
The neat thing about this program is it is geared for students who are already struggling in mathematics. Normally, gifted students are the ones that get to do fun experiments with expensive technologies (I know...I was one of them.) Those students do need a sense of motivation, but in a different way. They need to be challenged beyond the normal scope. Struggling students, however, need to excitement. They need to knwo "Where this is useful." They need to see what a beautiful, fun thing mathematics can be.
I'd like to get ahold of their lesson plans. The site mentions another site for the Office of Mathematics, Science, and Technology Education (MSTE). This is the organization that runs the program. Apparently their website has great resources for teachers....topic for my next post.
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Your post makes me think about two of the buzz words in education today, "rigor" and "relevance." Rigor, of course, relates to adding varying degrees of complexity in an increasing systmeatic manner. Relevance is taking abstract information and presenting it in such a way that it has "real life" applications. Math seems to be a subject that students find difficult in making such a connection from time to time and your example of programming the robots using euclidian geometric calculations is a great way to make math relevant, or at least more easily understood.
Our school is allied with the International Center for Leadership in education and the Rigor and Relevance Framework is a focal point for school that seek to become high achieving. I will post a couple of sites that have some reading along these lines if you are interested:
http://www.leadered.com/rigor.html
http://www.edteck.com/wpa/
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