This special one-session circle is a chance to experience the engaging and collaborative nature of math circles and discover whether it’s the right fit for your child.

Participants will be grouped according to age and math level to ensure a positive and meaningful experience.

Note: This circle is exclusively for those who have not yet participated in math circles run by The Global Math Circle.

In this circle, we'll investigate a number puzzle built around squares. Starting with a simple arrangement of numbers, we'll watch how it evolves and look for connections, test ideas, and discover surprising results. Through exploration and discussion, participants will develop problem-solving skills, learn to recognize mathematical patterns, and experience the intrigue of this mysterious puzzle.

Note - Circle Prerequisite: Comfort with addition and subtraction

Once upon a time, there was an ocean inhabited by tiny numbers, instead of fish! When seven year-old Dora found out about this ocean and its food chain, she was determined to figure out the laws of its ecosystem — which numbers were allowed to consume which others? How did the numbers determine their families and friends (like schools of fish)? Let's embark with Dora on an adventure to unravel this strange ocean’s mysteries.

Note - Circle Prerequisites:
(1) Comfort with addition and subtraction
(2) No more than a passing familiarity with fractions

Let's learn to make mosaics! In this circle, we'll investigate the beautiful world of mathematical tilings of the plane — in other words, fitting shapes together in patterns that fill space. Aside from letting us create cool designs, these explorations will get us comfortable with the fundamentals of geometry, as well as math more broadly: shapes, symmetry, angles, patterns, and more!

Note: There are no prerequisites for this circle.

In this circle we'll play games which might look simple, but contain hidden strategies. We'll take stones, avoid dangerous numbers, move across boards, and more. We might even change the rules to see what happens! Together, we’ll play with the intention to notice patterns, making predictions, testing strategies, and inventing new versions of our own.

Note - Circle Prerequisite: Basic addition and subtraction

In this circle, we will look for paths through a grid of squares. What seems a simple challenge at first can quickly become baffling, as mysterious restrictions on these paths seem to appear. Join us as we grapple with the seemingly-impossible, and learn fundamental mathematical skills along the way!

Note: There are no prerequisites for this circle.

In this circle, we'll explore what happens when a shape, such as a watermelon, is divided again and again. As we confront a series of challenges, we'll investigate how the number of pieces grows, look for patterns, make predictions, and test our ideas. As they experiment and compare different strategies, participants will discover that a simple question about cutting fruit can lead to surprising and beautiful mathematical discoveries.

Note - Circle Prerequisite: Able to count

The great mathematician, Ramanujan, was fascinated by Magic Squares. There is so much more magic to be discovered! This circle will explore various magic shapes, possibly going beyond numbers. Give your child the chance to fall in love with a subject that's full of creativity, challenges, and, yes, a little bit of magic.

Note - Circle Prerequisites:
‍(1) Can draw mirror symmetry lines given a 2-D shape
(2) Not proficient in Set Theory

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Let's make balloon animals — but the math version! In this circle, we'll become masters of making balloon-animal versions of all our favorite shapes. Along the way, we'll explore our artistic limitations — especially what shapes we can make, and how many balloons we'll need in order to do so.

Note - Circle Prerequisite: Understanding of multiplication

*This circle may be co-led by a GMC Leader-in-Training, supported by an experienced GMC leader.

In this circle, we'll dive into the world of maps! How can we chart a course across the seven seas that will let us see all the sights without revisiting the trade routes we've seen before? How can we draw a map of the places we've discovered? We'll venture into graph theory and who knows where we'll end up exploring!

Note - Circle Prerequisites: Does not have extensive experience with graph theory

We will explore the difference between “I don’t see how to solve this puzzle,” and “no one can solve this puzzle — here’s why.” Can we actually prove that a puzzle is impossible to solve, that no matter how clever someone is or what approach they take, they won't find a solution? Is it possible to prove the impossible?

Note - Circle Prerequisites:
‍(1) Can express a logical argument
(2) Not an expert at invariants

In this circle, we'll take our loot from the candy store and arrange it in different formations, and try to count how much we have. What if we get into some weird and crazy shapes? Could we stack candies on top of each other?! We'll see what happens — and we'll see what connections and formulas might come out of our candy-stacking adventures...

Note - Circle Prerequisites:
‍(1) Understands multiplication
(2) Can't prove a formula for triangle numbers

Deep within a network of ancient caves lie piles and piles of mythical stones. In order to claim them, we just need to move all of the stones out of the cave. However, we must follow very specific rules to do so, or the mystic force of the cave will claim them. One wrong move and we lose all of the stones!

Come join us in this circle as we play and analyze games involving these mythical stones.

Note - Circle Prerequisite: Does not have extensive experience with game theory

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Let's peek into a mad scientist's lab, where she has — yes, that's right — machines that can transform animals into other animals! Each machine can do one specific transformation, and each room has a different set of machines. By playing with these machines and transforming some very-confused animals, we'll find rich and deep structure, spanning modular arithmetic, abstract algebra, and more. (All animals will be imaginary!)

Note - Circle Prerequisites: Comfortable with arithmetic, including fractions

*This circle may be co-led by a GMC Leader-in-Training, supported by an experienced GMC leader.

In this circle, I'll introduce you to my squirrel friends, who play some very weird games in the summer time. You'll see them running around the forest floor, exchanging nuts between their stockpiles — all day! But the squirrels are having a problem: their game is starting to get really boring — almost like the same thing is happening every time. Can we help them figure out what's going on, and peel back the layers of dynamical systems, combinatorics, and more, which underly it all?

Note: There are no prerequisites for this circle.

*This circle may be co-led by a GMC Leader-in-Training, supported by an experienced GMC leader.

Can a polygon be magical? In this circle, we'll investigate fascinating puzzles where arithmetic and geometry meet. We'll develop our own magic shapes, and apply a variety of mathematical techniques to solve them and understand their structures more deeply.

Note - Circle Prerequisite: Basic familiarity with algebra will be helpful

What if you could count hundreds of dots without counting them one by one? In this circle, we'll delve into simple dot arrangements to find big mathematical ideas. We'll discover patterns in different arrays, opening up profound connections and preparing us to find and use some of mathematics' coolest techniques for counting.

Note: There are no prerequisites for this circle.

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We have found a treasure chest filled with gold coins, but the chest seems to be playing games with us when we try to take the gold. In this circle we'll examine how strategies can be created and compared, starting with a simple combinatorial game and moving on to more elaborate versions of the game. We will change the rules about what moves are allowed. Our exploration of the hows and whys of gaming will involve explaining our thinking and persuading each other that our thinking is correct.

Note - Circle Prerequisite: Does not have extensive experience with game theory

Beginning from one corner of a box, a ball embarks on a journey of reflections and surprises. In this circle, we'll explore how geometry can predict its destination, and the many mathematical structures and insights that can flow from there.

Note: There are no prerequisites for this circle.

This fast-paced group will start with a simple question about triangles and dive from there into a beautiful world of geometry, proofs, and hidden structure. Circles and squares have centers, sure! But what about triangles?

Note - Circle Prerequisite: Comfortable with angles, distances, and geometry basics