BALTIMORE (WJZ)—Making math fun. Thousands of city middle schoolers are racing their minds during the Grand Prix of Summer Learning.

Andrea Fujii has more.

On your marks, get set… learn!

Two thousand middle schoolers are taking part in the Grand Prix of Summer Learning named after Baltimore’s big race in September.

It’s the second year for this five-week course in which students build their math skills through activities like racing cars.

“You just get caught up with so much fun that you don’t even know you’re learning everything,” said Anestis Patrikios, eighth-grader.

Other activities students can choose from include swimming with Michael Phelps’ instructors and African drumming all infused with math.

After scores from the Maryland Student Assessments showed a drop in math, organizers say this program is essential.

“We know for middle school students math can be difficult and we want to hone in on those skills they have deficiencies in the school year,” said Charlene Footman, program coordinator.

The federally funded program is free to students in hopes their learning doesn’t just stop once school is over.

“The kids are getting an opportunity to work with math in real world contexts in hopes that we reduce summer learning loss,” Footman said.

And jump to the front of the class.

“Since they didn’t come maybe I can have a lot more hands on with the skill so maybe I can help them,” Amani Abdul-Wajid, seventh-grader.

The program is accepting students until the end of the week.

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