Math Circles bring mathematicians and mathematical scientists into direct contact with pre-college students. These students (and sometimes their teachers) meet with mathematics professionals in an informal setting, after school or on weekends, to work on interesting problems or topics in mathematics. These interactions get students excited about mathematics and provide them with a community to foster their passion for mathematical thinking. Find out more about Math Circles at the National Association of Math Circles (NAMC) website, http://mathcircles.org.

The National Association of Math Circles is an MSRI sponsored organization that provides a support structure for Math Circles and similar programs. The primary focus of the NAMC is the development of a National Math Circle Website (http://mathcircles.org) that includes: the Circle in a Box wiki, contacts for Math Circles throughout North America, the Math Circle Problem Collection, and a forum for discussion of Math Circles and related issues among NAMC members.

The Berkeley Math Circle (BMC) is intended for talented middle- and high-school students who are interested in extending their mathematical knowledge and skills well beyond what their curriculum offers. It is a Mosse Foundation for Arts and Education program for education at MSRI. The Circle meets on the Berkeley campus during the academic year for 2-hour sessions that includes advanced math topics for high and middle school students. The majority of the sessions are split into two separate groups: for advanced and for beginning students. For further information, please see http://mathcircle.berkeley.edu/

The Marin Math Circle brings together students who are interested in exploring new mathematical topics and challenging problems. Although math circles have existed in Europe for decades, and in other Bay Area cities for years, the Marin Math Circle is brand new, starting in September, 2009. http://www.marinmathcircle.org/

The Oakland/East Bay Math Circle offers middle school students and teachers in the Oakland and East Bay area the opportunity to learn advanced mathematics in a free, after-school enrichment program. This is an extraordinary activity for students who enjoy mathematics and want to learn more. For more information on the program, please visit http://oebmc.mathcircles.org

The San Francisco Math Circle (SFMC) is intended primarily for middle school students in San Francisco who are interested in extending their mathematical knowledge and skills well beyond what their curriculum offers. It is funded at MSRI through The Moody's Foundation. The Circle meets on the San Francisco State University campus every week during the academic year for a 2-hour session that includes advanced middle school topics and lots of challenging problems. Teachers whose students are involved in SFMC are eligible for a Math Circle for Teachers, funded by the S. D. Bechtel Foundation. For further information, please see http://www.sfmathcircle.org.

The San Jose Math Circle (SJMC) is for middle and high school students, and is held on most Wednesday evenings for two hours at San Jose State University during the academic year. About once per month a Bay Area Mathematical Adventures (BAMA) presentation replaces it, which is held alternately at San Jose State University and at the Santa Clara University. It is funded by a grant from MSRI and by donations from parents of the students who attend. For more information, see http://www.sanjosemathcircle.org/.

The Stanford Math Circle (SMC) , held on Sunday afternoons (2-4pm) on the Stanford Campus, emphasizes mathematical discovery and collaboration. It's intended for middle and high school students, although anyone is welcome.

The Bay Area Mathematical Olympiad (BAMO) is an annual competition among 250 Bay Area middle- and high-school students, consisting of five proof-type math problems, which is held on the last Tuesday of February. The Hilde L. Mosse Foundation as well as other private donors generously fund it. Click here or more information.

The Bay Area Circle for Teachers is to a Circle designed to equip educators with an effective problem-solving approach to teaching mathematics. The emphasis is to show teachers some beautiful and entertaining mathematics as opposed to telling them what or how they should teach. Teachers who have participated in the past wish that they could attend more workshops like this one.

MATH CIRCLE SUMMER TEACHER TRAINING INSTITUTE

Bob & Ellen Kaplan

We held our first Math Circle Summer Teacher Training Institute on the Campus of Notre Dame, in South Bend Indiana, from July 5th to 11th, 2009. Demonstrations of our approach, practice sessions in running Math Circles, discussions of theory and practice, and conversations about selected math topics were hosted by Bob and Ellen Kaplan, Amanda Serenevy and Sam Lichtenstein. The program was supported by generous grants from the Flom Foundation, the Herbert O. Wolfe Foundation, and MSRI, and was sponsored by the Northern Indiana Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Consortium. Tuition was $750 for the week, room and board included.

For details about the Kaplan's approach, go to:

www.themathcircle.org.

Instructors include Bob and Ellen Kaplan, Amanda Serenevy (Executive Director, Riverbend Community Math Center, Mishawaka Indiana), and Sam Lichtenstein (Harvard University). The Institute is sponsored by the Mathematical Sciences Research Institute, the Flom Foundation, the Herbert O. Wolfe Foundation, and the Northern Indiana Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Consortium.

Tuition is $750 for the week (room and board included). If you would like to apply, please e-mail us at kaplan@math.harvard.edu.