Volume: 2; 2009; 217 pp; Softcover
MSC: Primary 97;
Print ISBN: 978-0-8218-4752-7
Product Code: MCL/2
List Price: $39.00
AMS Member Price: $31.20
MAA Member Price: $35.10
Electronic ISBN: 978-1-4704-1614-0
Product Code: MCL/2.E
List Price: $39.00
AMS Member Price: $31.20
MAA Member Price: $35.10
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Circle in a Box
Share this pageSam Vandervelde
A co-publication of the AMS and the Mathematical Sciences Research Institute
Math circles provide a setting in which mathematicians work with
secondary school students who are interested in mathematics. This form
of outreach, which has existed for decades in Russia, Bulgaria, and other
countries, is now rapidly spreading across the United States as well.
The first part of this book offers helpful advice on all aspects of math
circle operations, culled from conversations with over a dozen directors
of successful math circles. Topics include creative means for getting
the word out to students, sound principles for selecting effective
speakers, guidelines for securing financial support, and tips for
designing an exciting math circle session. The purpose of this
discussion is to enable math circle coordinators to establish a thriving
group in which students can experience the delight of mathematical
investigation. The second part of the book outlines ten independent
math circle sessions, covering a variety of topics and difficulty
levels. Each chapter contains detailed presentation notes along with a
useful collection of problems and solutions. This book will be an
indispensable resource for any individual involved with a math circle or
anyone who would like to see one begin in his or her community.
Sam Vandervelde teaches at St. Lawrence University. He launched the
Stanford Math Circle and also writes and coordinates the Mandelbrot
Competition, a math contest for high schools.
In the interest of fostering a greater awareness and appreciation of
mathematics and its connections to other disciplines and everyday life, MSRI
and the AMS are publishing books in the Mathematical Circles Library series as
a service to young people, their parents and teachers, and the mathematics profession.
Titles in this series are co-published with the Mathematical Sciences Research Institute (MSRI).
Readership
Secondary school teachers and administrators, college professors, research mathematicians, and parents interested in organizing math circles for middle school or high school students.
Reviews & Endorsements
[This book] is an excellent resource for those interested in math circles, including students and parents (they can just skip the organizational part and go directly to the presentations and problems). For those interested in starting and running a math circle, I think it is an invaluable resource.
-- MAA Reviews
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Circle in a Box
- Cover Cover11
- Title page iii5
- Contents vii9
- Preface ix11
- Part I. Oversight 113
- Molding a math circle 315
- Supporting a math circle 2537
- Sustaining a math circle 4759
- Leading a math circle 6779
- Part II. Presentations 7789
- The game of Criss-Cross 7991
- Double time 8799
- King chickens 95107
- Into the unknown 103115
- Sneaky segments 113125
- Heads or tails 123135
- Circling the square 131143
- Making change 141153
- Square dance 153165
- Reflection in a circle 165177
- Part III. Appendices 179191
- Sample documents 181193
- Warm-ups 191203
- Sample grant proposal 197209
- Sample grant report 205217
- Acknowledgments 217229
- Back Cover Back Cover1230