(COLUMBIA, Tenn. - June 7, 2016) - - - Columbia State Community College's Office of Access and Diversity is now accepting applications for its annual "Math for Life" Summer Math Academy. In addition to the returning math academies at the Columbia, Lawrenceburg and Williamson Campuses, this year will also see the addition of a physics academy at the Columbia Campus.

"The math and physics academies include fun, fundamentals and a chance to look at jobs in the future that use these disciplines," said Dr. Christa Martin, assistant to the president for access and diversity. "The goal is for students to have fun and learn these fundamentals that will help them in everyday situations that they may or may not realize involve math, such as balancing a checkbook, traveling or redecorating a room."

Students will master and reinforce the basics and immediately use them in assigned activities and group projects. Math academy participants will be involved in a long list of math activities directed at budgeting and critical thinking. Physics academy students will have lectures and activities, as well as physics experiments.

Martin explained that the goal of the physics academy is to introduce students to the discipline and share fundamental terms and expand the students' knowledge.

The math academy will be led by one middle school level faculty and one college level faculty. The physics academy will have two instructors. Each academy will also have a completion and awards day on Thursday with family members invited to attend.

The Summer Math and Physics Academy is open to students who were in 6^th, 7^th or 8^th grades during the 2015-2016 academic year. Each academy is open to 25 students, and each student will be accepted through an application process. For the application and other necessary forms, visit www.ColumbiaState.edu/SMA.

Lunch and snacks will be provided each day, and all academy materials needed by the student will be provided. On Thursday, the academy will close with the awards presentation.

The Summer Math Academy will take place Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the following Columbia State campuses. The Columbia and Lawrence Campus math academies are full and no longer accepting applications.

• Williamson Campus July 11 - 14 Deadline to apply: June 30
• Columbia Campus (physics)July 18 - 21Deadline to apply: July 7

The Office of Access and Diversity develops and implements programs, activities and initiatives in an effort to heighten the awareness, presence and success of ethnic minorities and other underrepresented groups. Columbia State works to establish a safe, nurturing and accessible environment that fosters the free and civil exchange of ideas and perspectives. To learn more, visit www.ColumbiaState.edu/Diversity.

Columbia State is a two-year college, serving a nine-county area in southern Middle Tennessee with locations in Columbia, Franklin, Lawrenceburg, Lewisburg and Clifton. As Tennessee's first community college, Columbia State is committed to increasing access and enhancing diversity at all five campuses. Columbia State is a member of the Tennessee Board of Regents, one of the largest higher education systems in the nation. For more information, please visit www.columbiastate.edu.

Tennessee's Community Colleges is a system of 13 colleges offering a high-quality, affordable, convenient and personal education to prepare students to achieve their educational and career goals in two years or less. We offer associate degree and certificate programs, workforce development programs and transfer pathways to four-year degrees. For more information, please visit us online at tncommunitycolleges.org.