1. A presentation for the Master Teachers
Math Circles
A presentation for the Master Teachers
September 17, 2016
Barbara Burns, PhD
Canisius College

2. What is a Math Circle?
4 adjectives that describe your definition of a Math Circle
3 verbs for what goes on at Math Circle
2 nouns associated with Math Circle
1 geometric figure (not a circle) that portrays your idea of a Math Circle and why

3. Two Types of Math Circles
Math Teachers’ Circle
Math Students’ Circles
Professional communities of K-12 teachers
Regularly work on rich mathematics problems
Enrich knowledge and experience of math
Form of outreach that bring mathematicians into direct contact with pre-college students
Goal: get students excited about mathematics

4. History of Math Circles
Bob & Ellen Kaplan began The Math Circle in the US in 1994
Comes to us from Russia and Bulgaria
First ones in Russia during the 1930s
Existed in Bulgaria for a century

5. Supports for Math Circles
Circle on the Road
Books: Circle in a Box, A Decade of the Berkeley Math Circle, Out of the Labyrinth

6. Hard at Work

7. And, we stumped the experts…

8. One of our first circle problems
The Game of Criss-Cross

9. The Math Circle @ Canisius College
Who?
What?
When?
Where?
Why?
and
How?

10. Let’s Start with Why?

11. Who, What, When and Where?
Students in grades 5-12 who are mathematically curious
Students from neighboring schools
The Math Circle at Canisius College
Tuesday afternoons throughout the fall and spring semesters
Canisius College Science Hall

12. We do get hungry…

13. Using manipulatives to help us understand

14. Some of our young ladies

15. HOW? Secure space Invite students Devise some interesting questions
Invite speakers
Let them go…
Most importantly, …
Provide snacks!

16. Next Steps Send us your students We are expanding
May be holding a Summer Math Circle
Math Competitions
Come present with us!

17. In Closing One thing that was re-confirmed about Math Circle.
One thing that you learned about Math Circle
One thing you still have a question about
One thing you liked about this presentation
One thing to be improved about this presentation.

18. Thank you for your attention!
Please feel free to contact me at
If you have additional questions or comments