Classes and workshops:
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for high school students:
Math Circle Saturday Workshops
January 2010 - March 2010
From January to March, come to campus to do math with friends, undergrads, and graduate students. In previous years we have explored chaos and combinatorics, tilings and number theory, linear programming and knot theory. This year we will explore the exciting topics of Topics in Topology, Game Theory and Fractals!
Our former students have said of our program:
- "Excellent! Probably the only thing that could get me on my feet so early on a Saturday!"
- "A very fun experience!"
- "Before this, I had no idea there was so much to math."
Application Process
Applicants will be accepted on a first-come first-serve basis. We will accept the first fifty applicants. Once the applications close, we will update this website.
Feel free to contact us if you have any questions.
Classes
"Math Circle makes math more enjoyable and interesting to all who participate. It changed the way I looked at and felt about math and Math Circle isn't just doing problems out of a book. It is people who teach and actually like math."
The classes for Math Circle 2010 are:- Topics in Topology, taught by Emi Arima
- Game Theory, taught by Tom Denton
- Fractals, taught by Owen Lewis
Class descriptions:
(The following are Math Circle 2009 class descriptions.)
Probability Theory
Deanna Needell
Did you know that if you leave two monkeys in a room with a typewriter and let them type forever, there is a 100% chance they will recreate the works of Shakespeare? That if a bird flies randomly in the sky, he has no chance of finding his way home, but a man walking randomly on the ground will always get there? That with extremely high probability while reading this sentence you have breathed a particle that was also breathed by John Hancock has he signed the Declaration of Independence? Probability is everywhere in our daily lives, and its applications are near endless. We will discuss basic probability and its role in everyday activities. We will begin by investigating probability in simple games and eventually be able to analyze the probability involved in more complicated scenarios.
Symmetry in Geometry
Gabe Amos
In 1872, Felix Klein proposed his ``Erlangen Programme'' for the systematic study of geometries. The key component to his program: that a central idea in studying any type of geometry is that of symmetry, i.e. the ways you can move your space around without changing the way things look. So understanding these symmetries will give a deeper understanding of the geometry and give you new types of geometries you wouldn't have known about otherwise.
In this course we'll look at different types of geometries (including non-Euclidean ones!), and see what types of interesting symmetries we can derive. Some of what we'll be talking about:
- What are some other types of geometry on surfaces, etc.
- Classification of crystals in 2 and 3 dimensions
- The deep connection between algebraic and geometric ideas
- What would these geometries look like if we lived in one?
- Some other topics as dictated by interest.
Mathematical Graphics
Matt Stamps
Have you ever wondered how the animators at Pixar are able to make to make their characters look so real? In this workshop, we will learn the basic tools for creating graphics and animations while exploring the mathematics that lie underneath. You will learn introductory computer programming, coordinate geometry, and perspective drawing which you will use to create your own animation projects. No knowledge beyond basic geometry is expected. I will be covering the basics of mathematical graphics and animation.
Expectations
Our mission is to have fun doing great math.
To quote the Boston Math Circle: ``While the courses are mathematically rigorous, the atmosphere is friendly and relaxed. We want our students to feel free to express their ideas, to suggest their own approaches, and to make mistakes. We work in a spirit of friendship, cooperation, and enjoyment of one another.''
We expect students to maintain an atmosphere of respect and cooperation. Any students found severely disrupting such an atmosphere will not be allowed to return to the program.
2008 Schedule
Key:| (Location) | |||
| PT | : | Probability Theory | MSB 1147 |
| MG | : | Mathematical Graphics | MSB 1147 |
| Geo | : | Symmetry in Geometry | MSB 1147 |
| Special Events | : | Don't miss them! | variable |
| Jan. 17 | 9:30-10:20 | MG |
| 10:35-11:25 | Geo | |
| 11:25-11:40 | break | |
| 11:40-12:30 | PT |
| Jan. 24 | 9:30-10:20 | MG |
| 10:35-11:25 | Guest Speaker: Jesus De Loera | |
| 11:25-11:40 | break | |
| 11:40-12:30 | PT
|
| Jan. 31 | 9:30-10:20 | MG |
| 10:35-11:25 | PT | |
| 11:20-11:40 | break | |
| 11:40-12:30 | Guest Speaker: Alexander Coward
|
| Feb. 7 | 9:30-10:20 | MG |
| 10:35-11:25 | Geo | |
| 11:25-11:40 | break | |
| 11:40-12:30 | Guest Speaker: Steve Pon |
| Feb. 14 | 9:30-10:20 | MG |
| 10:35-11:25 | Geo | |
| 11:25-11:40 | break | |
| 11:40-12:30 | Guest speaker: Emi Arima |
| Feb. 21 | 9:30-10:20 | MG |
| 10:35-11:25 | PT | |
| 11:25-11:40 | break | |
| 11:40-12:30 | Guest Speaker: Tim Lewis
|
| Feb. 28 | 9:30-10:20 | Geo |
| 10:35-11:25 | PT | |
| 11:25-11:40 | break | |
| 11:40-12:30 | Guest Speaker: Matt Rathbun |
| Mar. 7 | 9:30-10:20 | MG |
| 10:35-11:25 | Geo | |
| 11:25-11:40 | break | |
| 11:40-12:30 | PT |
| Mar. 14 | All Session Puzzlemania (MSB 1147) |