I have been constantly amazed by the members of this club. Their passion for math is real and unmatched. They truly enjoy solving hard problems. But what impresses me even more is that they really care about each other's growth; they always come up with exciting math competition activities. They also invented a mentoring system to support each other - and then this "Shark Academy". They came up with all of these innovations on their own. I am looking forward to seeing their further growth and their impact on our whole school community.
My daughter has been one of the fortunate beneficiaries of this mentorship program, which was established and spearheaded by Emily Huang. Emily's vision, leadership, and genuine commitment to fostering mathematical excellence in young learners have made a lasting impact on my daughter's academic journey. Under Emily's guidance, the mentorship program has not only strengthened the mathematical skills but also ignited a deeper appreciation for the subject that will serve well throughout the educational career.
Shark Academy originates from the SMIC Math Club, a student run society founded by students and for students. It is a great idea to expand the services from offline to online via the Shark Academy website, and I believe this move will generate greater impact and benefit more students.
I first encountered Shark Academy when it was still an idea. Watching it evolve from a student-led math club into a structured online platform has been genuinely impressive. As a math educator, what stands out most to me is the peer mentoring system. Research consistently shows that students deepen their own understanding by explaining concepts to others. Shark Academy has embedded this principle into its core model. The students don't just solve challenging problems — they design math activities, mentor one another, and build a culture of shared growth. The transition from the SMIC Math Club to the Shark Academy website is a strategic and meaningful expansion. It moves beyond classroom walls and makes high-quality math enrichment more accessible to a broader community of young learners. I have seen the positive impact of this initiative among our school. It fosters curiosity, resilience, and collaboration. I fully support Shark Academy and believe it represents a thoughtful and effective approach to nurturing young mathematical talent.
Shark Academy has created a rare environment where students are not only learning mathematics, but also learning how to communicate, collaborate, and support one another. What impressed me most is that the program is genuinely student-led. Older students mentor younger ones with patience, encouragement, and real passion for problem solving. It is inspiring to see young leaders building such a positive and intellectually curious community together.
It has been my absolute pleasure to interact with the female-identifying leaders of Shark Academy through the INTEGIRLS chapter competitions. Emily and her peers have demonstrated not only a genuine passion for mathematics, but also a remarkable initiative to foster meaningful mathematical communication and collaboration. Their commitment to encouraging more girls to engage confidently in problem-solving reflects both strong leadership and a deep dedication to expanding opportunities within the mathematical community. Through their enthusiasm, organization, and mentorship, they have created an environment that is both intellectually engaging and genuinely welcoming for young women in STEM.