Marine dependent studies advanced math in Hong Kong

Photo By 94th Airlift Wing | Christian S. Sykes, 14, of Virginia Beach, Va., (center, kneeling) is surrounded by fellow international mathematics students at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology July 31. Sykes studied advanced mathematical modeling July 14 – Aug. 2, as part of a Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth summer overseas studies program. The structure in front of the students is a Sierpinski triangle, a mathematically generated pattern that can be reproducible at any magnification or reduction, essentially a mathematical model composed of a three-dimensional triangle with multiple triangles contained inside. Christian is the dependent son of an active-duty Marine stationed on Okinawa, assigned to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, III Marine Expeditionary Force. “Any parent who has a gifted child should look at opportunities overseas to advance their child’s studies,” said Terri Sykes, Christian’s mother. “There are so many programs available; parents just need to find a program that suits their child’s strengths.”  

CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, JAPAN

08.02.2013

Story by Capt. Caleb Eames 

III Marine Expeditionary Force   

CAMP FOSTER, Japan - The dependent son of a Marine recently spent several weeks over the summer studying advanced math in Hong Kong as part of an international studies program for gifted students.

Christian S. Sykes, 14, of Virginia Beach, Va., studied advanced mathematical modeling July 14 – Aug. 2, as part of a Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth summer overseas study program.

“It felt special to get picked to do this,” said Sykes. “But I felt nervous because no one could give me advice about it before I went. No one I know had ever done anything like this.”

Sykes started 9th grade at Kubasaki High School in September on Camp Foster in Okinawa, Japan.

Sykes’ mother, Terri, found out about the program while researching advanced studies for her son, whom teachers had said excelled at math.

“I was looking within the United States, but when I realized that there were great courses of study available overseas for my middle-school son, even here in the Pacific, I realized what a great opportunity this was,” said Terri. “Who could pass up an amazing opportunity for their son to study in Hong Kong among international students of the highest caliber?”

To qualify for the program, Christian took his Scholastic Aptitude Test at age 13. But the requirements to do overseas study do not always require the SAT scores, according to Sykes’ mother.

“Any parent who has a gifted child should look at opportunities overseas to advance their child’s studies,” said Terri. “There are so many programs available; parents just need to find a program that suits their child’s strengths.”

Many top-notch universities have talented youth programs, and there are lots with international locations to study, continued Terri.

Sykes says that he enjoyed the program immensely, even with the challenging course work and schedule.

“An average day was waking up at 7 a.m., going to classes from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., then dinner and activities, then more class from 6:30 to 8 p.m.,” said Sykes. “Going to class that much, every day for several weeks, was intense.”

Sykes was one of approximately 280 students attending the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, and one of 10 who were visiting international students from Singapore, India, Japan and the U.S.

“It is a good opportunity to have a brief experience away from the parents,” said Terri. “To get your child familiar with being responsible while being separated from family is so important. Then going away for college is not an entirely new experience when they finally graduate high school.”

Sykes studied subjects including algorithms, networks, symmetry, Fibonacci numbers, and fractals, as well as linear and exponential growth models, all designed to increase understanding of real-life applications of mathematics.

“He used the nearest neighbor algorithm and the cheapest-link algorithm to find the best route. Because of his relaxed, assured composure, he was chosen to present in front of the entire (center for talented youth) session,” said Mollee Huisinga, Sykes’ instructor.

“Attending university in Hong Kong made me think outside the box,” said Sykes. “And being able to present my work in front of the entire class of international students, some more advanced, was an awesome opportunity.”

“I wanted my son to see why we want him to work so hard,” said Terri. “With teenage children, it is often hard for them to understand why they need to keep good grades. But through a program like this, they gain an appreciation for going to college, and understand what opportunities await them if they succeed.”

Terri says she wants all families of overseas Department of Defense Education Activity schoolchildren to have similar opportunities.

“If you want your children to have a drive for success, putting them in a program like this is a huge opportunity,” said Terri. “It gives them a taste for independence but under a very strictly supervised setting. And being in an environment where they are surrounded by children of a different culture and background is extremely valuable for their future.”

Sykes’ father is an active-duty Marine stationed on Okinawa, assigned to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, III Marine Expeditionary Force, and their family is here on a 3-year-tour.

• Date Taken: 08.02.2013
• Date Posted: 09.16.2013 21:50
• Story ID: 113741
• Location: CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, JP
• Hometown: VIRGINIA BEACH, VA, US