NAC042 - Niner Academy: Smart Decisions: An Introduction to Optimization
Course Overview
Help Your Teen Learn the Math Behind Smart Decisions
Every day, we make choices about how to use time, money, and resources. Niner Academy: Smart Decisions – An Introduction to Optimization shows high school students in grades 9–12 how mathematical thinking can make those choices smarter, more efficient, and easier to understand.
In this one-week online camp, students explore the world of optimization—the science of finding the best possible solution when there are limits or tradeoffs. It’s an engaging way to see math applied to real life, from scheduling and budgeting to planning and design.
What Is Optimization?
Optimization is about answering questions like: What’s the best way to use limited resources? or How can we get the most benefit with the least cost or effort? Students learn how these big questions can be turned into simple math models they can solve.
Key Concepts Introduced
- Understanding constraints: time, budget, and resource limits.
- Turning real-world situations into math problems.
- Finding the “best” or most efficient choice using math tools.
How the Online Camp Works
This program is designed to be interactive, visual, and approachable, even for students who don’t consider themselves “math people.”
Visual, Example-Driven Learning
- Use 2D graphs and shaded regions to see how solutions take shape.
- Walk through real-world scenarios step by step.
- Explore how changing constraints changes the best solution.
Focus on Linear Programming in Two Dimensions
The camp introduces linear programming in two dimensions, a powerful yet accessible tool used in fields like business, engineering, data science, and logistics.
- Learn how to plot constraints on a graph.
- Identify feasible regions where solutions exist.
- Find the optimal point that maximizes or minimizes a goal, such as profit, time, or cost.
No Advanced Math Background Needed
This camp is designed for a wide range of high school students. No advanced math background is required—just:
- A curious mindset.
- An interest in how math connects to everyday decisions.
Concepts are taught using clear explanations, real examples, and visual tools, making complex ideas easier to grasp and enjoyable to explore.
Skills Your Teen Will Develop
By the end of the week, students will not only understand the basics of optimization—they’ll also see how these ideas can help them in school, college, and future careers.
Learning Outcomes
- Recognize situations where optimization can be used to make better decisions.
- Model simple real-world problems using linear inequalities and graphs.
- Use visual methods to identify optimal solutions.
- Strengthen critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
- Gain confidence in using math beyond the classroom.
Why Parents Choose Smart Decisions: An Introduction to Optimization
- Introduces a high-value STEM topic rarely covered in traditional high school classes.
- Shows teens how math connects to real decisions in business, engineering, and everyday life.
- Strengthens skills useful for college readiness and future careers.
- Offers a flexible, online format that’s easy to fit into summer schedules.
- Encourages students to see math as a tool for thinking, not just a school subject.
Give Your Teen the Tools to Make Smarter Decisions
If you want your high school student to build confidence in math while learning a real-world skill, Niner Academy: Smart Decisions – An Introduction to Optimization is an excellent choice. In just one week, they’ll discover how mathematical thinking can help them use their time, money, and energy more wisely—now and in the future.