From August 17 to 22, the head coach of the United States' mathematical Olympiad team, Feng Zuming, will bring his team to Hong Kong to inspire the children. As a child prodigy, Feng entered Beijing University at 15 and moved on to Johns Hopkins University Graduate School of Mathematics three years later. He has been coaching the US team, which came third in the international competition last year, since 1997.

"The program is not about memorizing formulas by doing millions of similar questions. They teach how formulas are derived and how to twist it around to solve questions," said Debbie Hung, who founded Science Workshop, an off-school training institution with husband Hiram nine years ago.

Hung is an alumni of the Phillips Exeter Academy, where Feng teaches. The US boarding school is renowned for its roundtable teaching method, under which students are encouraged to speak up and exchange ideas with teachers.

As the team was going to the mainland for the girls' mathematical Olympiad in the summer, Feng thought it was a good chance to stop by in Hong Kong later.

"Hong Kong is a good stepping stone," said Hung. "After this pilot program, we'll see whether future collaboration is possible."

To join the program, students first need to take a placement test. Feng will then handpick his students and put them in three groups: Math Root for Primary Four to Six, Beyond Mathcounts for Primary Six to Form 2, and Math Circle for Form Two to Four.

Students will brush up on core mathematical skills and develop systematic methods for solving problems using the materials devised by Feng. Competitions and awards will be held on the final day.

"During classes, the teacher will challenge students with hard questions. They need to identify the problem, break it down, and solve it a bit at a time. Through discussing and brainstorming with teacher and peers, they can learn different approaches to the same answer," said Hiram Hung.

It costs HK$9,980 for the six-day program, or HK$200 per hour. Early birds who enrol by June 21 can get a HK$500 discount. The workshop is offering free seats for 10 gifted students nominated by their school. Feng will be giving two seminars on games and creative thinking for teachers, who are also welcome to sit in on the student program.

"We make estimations every day and math helps us develop better judgment," said Debbie Hung. "Science is the engine to social evolution, but nothing is possible without math."

Details can be found at http:/ /www.scienceworkshophk.com or call 3118-6787.