Momentum Learning Contest Math Intermediate (AMC8/Mathcounts Intermediate)
Contest Math Intermediate will focus on reinforcing the essential concepts needed to excel in competitions such as AMC8 and Mathcounts. Students will dive deeper into topics like number theory, algebra, geometry, and combinatorics, honing their problem-solving strategies and improving their test-taking skills.
Contest Math Intermediate (AMC8/Mathcounts Intermediate)
- Prerequisite: Completion of CM200/201 or 15+ on AMC8
- Selected topics on MATHCOUNTS and AMC8
- Maximum number of students: 15-18
- Homework: Throughout the camp sessions, the instructor will tackle various example questions. It’s crucial that students thoroughly review and actively engage with any unanswered questions from each session, every day of the camp.
Momentum Learning Contest Math Summer Camp Overview
Online
All instructional materials from the camp, including recorded sessions, will remain accessible for an additional three months following the conclusion of the camp. Zoom and Canvas platforms will be utilized for delivery and access to these resources.
Contest Math Intermediate (AMC8/Mathcounts Intermediate)
Geometry
Instructor: Mrs. Nal
Dates: June 15 – August 17
Monday 6PM – 8PM
10 Classes (20 hours)
Fee: $699
Contest Math Intermediate (AMC8/Mathcounts Intermediate)
Algebra
Instructor: Mr. Sam
Dates: June 29 – July 10
Monday – Friday 2PM – 5PM CT
10 Classes (30 hours)
Fee: $949
Contest Math Intermediate (AMC8/Mathcounts Intermediate)
Number Theory/Combo
Instructor: Ms. H
Dates: July 13 – July 24
Monday – Friday 2PM – 5PM CT
10 Classes (30 hours)
Fee: $949
In-Person
Contest Math Intermediate (AMC8/Mathcounts Intermediate)
Number Theory / Combinatorics
Instructor: Ms. H
Dates: June 29 – July 10
Monday – Friday
9AM – 12PM CT
10 Classes (30 hours)
Fee: $999
Contest Math Intermediate (AMC8/Mathcounts Intermediate)
Algebra
Instructor: Ms. H
Dates: July 13 – July 24
Monday – Friday
9AM – 12PM CT
10 Classes (30 hours)
Fee: $999
Contest Math Intermediate Summer Camp Topics
Contest Math Intermediate
Topics: Geometry
- Day 1: Geometry Basics – Angles and Lines
- Day 2: Triangle Inequality
- Day 3: Right Triangles, Distance on a plane, Special Right Triangles
- Day 4/5: Perimeter and Area
- Day 6: Polygons
- Day 7/8: Circles
- Day 9: Solid Geometry / 3D Geometry
- Day 10: Final Test and Review
Contest Math Intermediate
Topics: Algebra
- Day 1/2: Algebraic Review and Exponents
- Day 3: Exponential Equation and Square Roots, Radicals
- Day 4: Folding Paper
- Day 5: Logic Patterns
- Day 6: Algebra
- Day 7: Symmetry in Equation, Ratios and Proportions, Percentage
- Day 8: Polynomials
- Day 9: Factoring Quadratics
- Day 10: Review and Final Test
Contest Math Intermediate
Topics: Number Theory / Combinatorics
- Divisibility
- Prime Factorization
- Place Value
- Divisors
- Remainders
- Simple Diophantine Equations
- Counting Practices
- Addition or Multiplication
- Casework, Complementary Counting
Ms. H
Ms. H has loved teaching and learning math for as long as she can remember. She graduated with a degree in math in 1999. Ms. H has been a middle school and high school math teacher in Europe for 17 years, and has also trained students for Math Olympiad for Girls for the last 15 years.
After settling in Houston, she was very happy to join Momentum Family in a position that lets her combine her passion for mathematics, competitions and teaching. When Ms. H is not thinking about math, she enjoys traveling, taking pictures and spending time with her three children.
Mr. Sam
Mr. Sam has a Bachelor’s degree in Math and Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology and Pedagogy. He has been teaching for 25 years in different countries such as Russia, Europe, and the United States.
Mr. Sam worked as an Olympiad Math Coach for IMO, BMO and EGMO coach for many years then worked as Head of Math Department for Teacher Training and Curriculum Development. In the last 10 years he served as College Counselor and helped hundreds of students getting into the IVY league colleges, MIT in the USA and other prestigious universities in Germany, Italy, Netherland and U.K.
Mr. Sam is co-author of a high School Math book “Mathematics 12” for Senior Students. He is currently working as a High School Math teacher in a public school in Texas. Mr. Sam is awarded “Master Teacher Designation”, which is the highest award given by Texas Education Agency.
Michelle Nal
Coach Nal is a nationally well known mathematics teacher focused on contest math. As a math coach, she taught State and National MATHCOUNTS participants, USA(J)MO qualifiers, MOSP attendees, and USAJMO winners/honorable mentions.
Coach Nal was the coach of the Texas MATHCOUNTS Team that placed 1st at Nationals in three consecutive years, 2018, 2017 and 2016, 3rd in 2011, 5th in 2019, and 7th in 2015. In 2018 and 2017, 2 of her students were the MATHCOUNTS NATIONALS Champion and Runner-Up. In 2016, all her 4 students made top 12 in the nation. Coach Nal coached the Quail Valley GT Academy team who won 2015-2019 Texas State MATHCOUNTS.
Each year, 70-100% of the top finishers at Houston MATHCOUNTS chapter are Momentum Learning students. In 2019, 9 out of the top 10 students at Texas MATHCOUNTS State were Momentum Learning Students.
Coach Nal is a MATHCOUNTS Board Member and she is also on the Question Writing Committee. In addition, Coach Nal is an AMC8 Contest Board Member. She is a two time recipient of the MAA’s Edyth May Sliffe Award for Excellence in Teaching and the Raytheon MathMovesU Heroes Award.
Teaching Recordings – Mrs. H
Teaching Recordings – Mr. Sam
FAQ
Will summer camp cover the same material as spring and fall semesters?
There could be some overlap in topic coverage. However, most of the questions addressed in the camp will differ from those in our spring/fall classes.
Mastering contest math concepts typically requires multiple reinforcement opportunities. Each subsequent encounter with the same topics not only deepens students’ understanding but also progressively enables them to apply these concepts independently. It is unrealistic to expect students to fully grasp a concept and proficiently apply it after being exposed to it only once or twice.
Will there be homework assigned daily?
Weekly Online Summer Class: Weekly homework will be assigned
Daily In-Person Summer Camp
During the camp sessions, the instructor will present various example questions. Initially, students will be given 2-3 minutes to attempt solving the question. Subsequently, the instructor will solve the question and discuss its implications. It’s typical for students not to fully solve the questions within the allotted time. Therefore, the homework is for students to review and actively tackle all questions they didn’t complete during each day’s camp session.
Remember: You cannot claim to know how to solve a question unless you independently work through it without assistance.
Weekly classes
Homework will be assigned.
Note: $40 annual registration fee per student (Fall 2025 – Summer 2026)