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Math Circles

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Math Circles is a free enrichment activity for grade 6 to 12 students organized by the Faculty of Mathematics of the University of Waterloo. For eight weeks each fall and winter, various mathematicians from the University of Waterloo lead students through mathematics topics outside the usual curriculum, through direct instruction and problem-solving activities.

Registration

Registration for Winter 2023 Math Circles will take place online, beginning on Tuesday, January 17, 2023. The registration link below will become active on this page at 12:00 noon on that date. You may need to refresh your browser at that time.

registration button

Registration is first come, first served.

Math Circles Materials

Math Circles materials, including presentation outlines, practice problems, and solutions, will be posted weekly.

Intended Audience

The materials are intended to be accessible to interested students from grades 6 to 12. There are four levels to choose from: Grade 6, Grades 7 & 8, Grades 9 & 10, Grades 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.

Dates and Location

Math Circles for Winter 2023 will run in person. NEW: We will also be offering an online section at each of the Grade 6 and 7/8 levels. Math Circles groups meet once a week, with students attending the same evening/afternoon session for the entire eight weeks.

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Grade 9/10 and 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 these levels at this time; however, materials will be posted weekly.
All attendees and presenters for in person Math Circles will be required to follow the University of Waterloo’s latest health and safety guidelines, which can be found here.

Winter 2023 Math Circles Dates

Week 1: February 6/7/8/9
Week 2: February 13/14/15/16
Week 3: February 20/21/22/23
Week 4: February 27/28/March 1/2
Week 5: March 6/7/8/9
(no Math Circles March 13/14/15/16)
Week 6: March 20/21/22/23
Week 7: March 27/28/29/30
Week 8: April 3/4/5/6

Winter 2023 Room Assignments

Grade 6: Tuesday, room MC 4060
Grade 6: Wednesday, room MC 4060
Grade 7/8: Tuesday, room MC 4063
Grade 7/8: Wednesday, room MC 4063
Grade 7/8: Thursday, room MC 4063
Grade 9/10: Wednesday, room MC 4061
Grade 11/12: Wednesday, room MC 4045

All room assignments are in buildings on the University of Waterloo’s main campus.
View the campus map. View the parking map.

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

Structure of the Activity

Math Circles activities are devoted to solving problems and to learning techniques that can be useful for mathematics competitions like those the CEMC is involved in. Math Circles is coordinated by Jen Nelson and Nick Rollick from the Faculty of Mathematics, with help from a variety of mathematicians from the University of Waterloo. In order to ensure an understanding of the material being presented, students are strongly encouraged to work through and solve the problems presented at each session. While Math Circles is open to all interested students, we would expect that students attending are prepared to participate and work on the evening’s tasks.

Bad Weather?

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

Questions?

Please contact our Math Circles Organizer for further details.