Math Circles

Materials are intended to be accessible to interested students from Grades 6 to 12. There are four levels to choose from: Grade 6, Grade 7/8, Grade 9/10, Grade 11/12. Students can choose their Math Circles level based on their grade level and/or mathematical ability. 
Mathematics and computer science are powerful tools, and diversity among mathematicians and computer scientists increases the potential for positive impact. The CEMC strives to be inclusive and welcoming to participants of all gender identities, cultural backgrounds, and lived experiences.  

Math Circles runs both in person and online at the Grade 6 and Grade 7/8 levels. 
New in Fall 2025:  Math Circles will run both in person and online at the Grade 9/10 level. 
Math Circles runs in person only at the Grade 11/12 level.
New in Fall 2025: An option will be available to receive materials only at any level. 

• Math Circles groups meet once a week, with participants attending the same afternoon/evening session for the entire eight weeks. We request participants ensure their availability and dedication for the entire evening/afternoon sessions they choose. This consistency will maximize the learning experience and foster a cohesive learning environment.
• While Math Circles is open to all interested students, we would expect that participants attending are prepared to actively engage in the session’s tasks and work through and solve the problems presented at each session.  

Math Circles runs both in person and online at the Grade 6 level, Grade 7/8 level, Grade 9/10 level and in person only at the Grade11/12 level.

• Grade 6 Math Circles will meet in person Tuesday or Wednesday evenings from 6:30 p.m. ‐ 8:00 p.m. The online section will meet Thursday evenings from 6:30 p.m. ‐ 8:00 p.m. EDT/EST. The topics covered in Grade 6 Math Circles are TBD.
• Grade 7/8 Math Circles will meet in person Tuesday or Wednesday evenings from 6:30 p.m. ‐ 8:00 p.m. or Thursday afternoons from 4:30 p.m. ‐ 6:00 p.m. The online section will meet Monday evenings from 6:30 p.m. ‐ 8:00 p.m. EDT/EST. The topics covered in Grade 7/8 Math Circles are TBD.
• The in-person offering of Grade 9/10 Math Circles will meet Wednesday evenings from 6:30 p.m. ‐ 8:30 p.m. The topics covered in Fall 2025 are: Tiling Theory, Matrix Magic, Invariants, and Efficient Problem Solving.
• The online offering of Grade 9/10 Math Circles will meet Thursday evenings from 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. EDT/EST. The topics covered in Fall 2025 are: Logic, Intro to Projective Geometry, and Complex Numbers.
• Grade 11/12 Math Circles will meet in person Wednesday evenings from 6:30 p.m. ‐ 8:30 p.m. There is no online offering for this level at this time. The topics covered in Fall 2025 are: Fractals and Chaos, Experimental Design and Survey Sampling, Compression and Information Theory Foundations, and Intro to First Order Languages.

Fall 2025:

Week 1:  Oct 6/7/8/9
Week 2:  Oct 13/14/15/16
Week 3:  Oct 20/21/22/23
Week 4:  Oct 27/28/29/30
Week 5:  Nov 3/4/5/6
Week 6:  Nov 10/11/12/13
Week 7:  Nov 17/18/19/20
Week 8:  Nov 24/25/26/27

Fall 2025 Locations:

Tuesday Grade 6: MC 4064
Tuesday Grade 7/8: MC 4058 (except Oct 28 (MC 4061), and Nov 11 (MC 4059))
Wednesday Grade 6: MC 4063
Wednesday Grade 7/8: MC 4060 (except Oct 22 (MC 2066))
Wednesday Grade 9/10: MC 2034 (except Oct 22 (RCH 204), and Oct 29 (MC 2017))
Wednesday Grade 11/12: MC 2035 (except Oct 22 (RCH 212), and Oct 29 (MC 2054))
Thursday Grade 7/8: MC 4064 (except Oct 30 (MC 4060)) 

Online Math Circles will take place over Zoom. Links will be emailed to registered participants closer to the first date. 

Winter 2026:

Winter Math Circles will be held from the first week of February to the end of March with a break from Monday, March 16 to Friday, March 20, 2026.

Below are some sample materials from previous editions of Math Circles:  

Registration for Grade 6 and Grade 7/8 Math Circles is first-come, first-served.  Those who do not secure a space in the Fall will be placed on a waiting list and will be given priority access to registration for the Winter session.

Registration for Grade 9/10 online Math Circles is first-come, first-served.

New in Fall 2025: Registration for Grade 9/10 and Grade 11/12 in-person Math Circles will be based on an expression of interest completed by the student, with preference given to students in schools with lower Math Circles enrolment. The prompt is provided here so that you may prepare your expression in advance of registration opening: "In 50-100 words, explain why you would like to register for Math Circles and tell us about your interest and experience in mathematics."  All applications received before the registration deadline will be considered.  

Fall 2025:

Registration opens on Thursday, September 4, 2025 at noon, and closes on Monday, September 22, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. Successful applicants will be contacted by September 29. 

REGISTER HERE

Please note that the above button will be activated only on Thursday, September 4, 2025 at noon.

Winter 2026:

Registration opens on Thursday, January 8, 2026 at noon, and closes on Monday, January 19, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.

All attendees for Math Circles will be required to acknowledge and follow the program guidelines, which can be found here. 

Math Circles is a completely free program offered by the CEMC. 

In the case of extreme weather conditions, please check your email for an announcement regarding whether or not Math Circles has been cancelled for the evening.  

For any inquiries or questions, please feel free to contact our Math Circles Organizer.