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Math Circle

The Calvin University Math Circle is an opportunity for 6th–8th grade students (typically 11–13 years old) to engage with exciting problems and topics in mathematics. Meetings are led by a professor in the Calvin math department and typically begin with a warmup activity or game that leads into the day's problem or topic. The Math Circle seeks to generate enthusiasm for problem-solving in mathematics. Students also discover applications of mathematics and participate in a community that nurtures critical thinking, communication, and abstraction. If you have questions about whether Math Circle may be right for your student, please call or send email!

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Time & Location

We meet at Calvin University in North Hall 276. Parking is available in Lot 5 (west of the engineering building) and Lot 6 (west of the aquatic center).  Meetings for Fall 2024 will be on Tuesday from October 1 to November 19.

  • 3:45–4:00 p.m.: setup and arrival
  • 4:00–5:15 p.m.: main activity
  • 5:15 p.m.: dismissal

Cost & Application

 

Calendar (Fall 2024)

DAYTIMEROOMTOPICPRESENTER
Tuesday, October 14:00–5:15 p.m.NORTH HALL 276Consecutive SumsProf. Jan Koop     
Tuesday, October 84:00–5:15 p.m.NORTH HALL 276Mirror, MirrorProf. Mike Bolt
Tuesday, October 154:00–5:15 p.m.NORTH HALL 276TaxmanProf. Jan Koop 
Tuesday, October 224:00–5:15 p.m.NORTH HALL 276Pennies and PaperclipsProf. Mike Bolt
Tuesday, October 294:00–5:15 p.m.NORTH HALL 276Pentomino PuzzlesProf. Jan Koop
Tuesday, November 54:00–5:15 p.m.NORTH HALL 276  
Tuesday, November 124:00–5:15 p.m.NORTH HALL 276  
Tuesday, November 194:00–5:15 p.m.NORTH HALL 276  

Calendar (Winter 2024)

DAYTIMEROOMTOPICPRESENTER
Tuesday, January 304:00–5:15 p.m.NORTH HALL 276The 2024 ChallengeProf. Jan Koop     
Tuesday, February 64:00–5:15 p.m.NORTH HALL 276Last One StandingProf. Mike Bolt
Tuesday, February 134:00–5:15 p.m.NORTH HALL 276One-Cut FiguresProf. Jan Koop
Tuesday, February 204:00–5:15 p.m.NORTH HALL 276Multiplier GraphsProf. Mike Bolt
Tuesday, February 274:00–5:15 p.m.NORTH HALL 276New Recruits Prof. Jan Koop
Tuesday, March 54:00–5:15 p.m.NORTH HALL 276Days of the WeekProf. Mike Bolt
Tuesday, March 124:00–5:15 p.m.NORTH HALL 276Skyscraper Puzzles  Prof. Jan Koop
Monday, March 194:00–5:15 p.m.NORTH HALL 276Take Away       Prof. Mike Bolt          

Calendar (Fall 2023)

DAYTIMEROOMTOPICPRESENTER
Monday, September 254:00–5:15 p.m.NORTH HALL 276Billiard Ball ChallengeProf. Jan Koop
Monday, October 24:00–5:15 p.m.NORTH HALL 276Rectangle MathProf. Mike Bolt
Monday, October 94:00–5:15 p.m.NORTH HALL 276Super Tangrams Prof. Jan Koop
Monday, October 164:00–5:15 p.m.NORTH HALL 276Equal Side SumsProf. Mike Bolt
Monday, October 234:00–5:15 p.m.NORTH HALL 276Three in a Row Prof. Jan Koop
Monday, October 304:00–5:15 p.m.NORTH HALL 276Criss-CrossProf. Mike Bolt
Monday, November 64:00–5:15 p.m.NORTH HALL 276Pascal's Triangle                Prof. Tim Pennings
Monday, November 134:00–5:15 p.m.NORTH HALL 276Pick's Theorem          Prof. Jan Koop                

 

 

Additional Info

The Math Circle is an enrichment activity that explores topics generally outside the regular mathematics curriculum. It is for 6th-8th grade students (typically 11–13 years old) who are interested in problem-solving and applications.

Program directors are Professors Mike Bolt (mdb7@calvin.edu) and Jan Koop (kooj@calvin.edu).

The Calvin University Math Circle was formed in Fall 2017 and is supported by the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, the Office of the Provost, and the Office of College Access Programs.

Math Circles originated in Russia in the 1930s, appeared in the United States in the 1990s, and are promoted by the National Association of Math Circles. Nearby circles include the Michigan Math Circle (Ann Arbor, MI) and the Maize & Blue Math Circle (Dearborn, MI).