Rochester Area Math Circle

An initiative funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation

Problem solving is widely accepted as one of the focal points in the instruction process of mathematics, and also strong problem solving skills go a long way in transforming a math enthusiast student into a high caliber researcher. Based on these motivations, we are continuing this activity in the 2009-2010 academic year, which we believe have the potential of identifying many mathematically gifted children and mentoring them to promising careers.

The format of the math circle is one of a 2-hour semimonthly meeting, which is either a problem solving seminar (i.e., an open discussion about theoretical and applicative issues related to a certain mathematical object/technique) or an expository lecture that presents a specific advanced mathematical topic (e.g., general relativity) in an intuitive, interactive, more formal way. An objective of the circle is to teach the participants how to explain and write rigorous solutions to various mathematical problems. We see this as a forward step towards building mathematical research skills. This initiative wants to offer a qualitative advanced mathematical training that goes beyond the current K-12 curriculum.

Another goal of this activity is to prepare its participants for mathematical competitions. We have in mind a rich calendar of such events that will include contests administered by The American Mathematics Competitions (AMC 8-12, AIME, USAMO).

Location for the fall 2009 semester: University of Rochester River Campus, Gavett Hall, Room 312.

Map and directions: http://www.rochester.edu/maps/river_campus/index.html (Gavett is on the River Campus map, next to Harkness and Hopeman).

Fall 2009 Schedule


Date Lecture Instructor
9/14, 4-6pm All about functions Dan-Andrei Geba, University of Rochester
9/28, 4-6pm Cryptology Heather Lewis, Nazareth College
10/12, 4-6pm Diophantine equations Christopher Kauffman, University of Rochester
10/26, 4-6pm The random walk and card shuffling Shannon Starr, University of Rochester
11/9, 4-6pm Visualizing spheres Troy Winfree, University of Rochester
11/23, 4-6pm Classical inequalities Raluca Felea, Rochester Institute of Technology
12/7, 4-6pm Andrew Ledoan, University of Rochester

Spring 2010 Schedule


Date Lecture Instructor
1/25, 4-6pm Daniel Da Silva, University of Rochester
2/8, 4-6pm AMC 10/12 review session
2/22, 4-6pm AMC 10/12 review session Christopher Kauffman, University of Rochester
3/8, 4-6pm AIME review session Christopher Kauffman, University of Rochester
3/22, 4-6pm
4/5, 4-6pm
4/19, 4-6pm

Previous Year

Resources

Contact

If interested in participating or for any other questions, please contact the coordinator of the circle:

Dan-Andrei Geba
University of Rochester
Department of Mathematics
806 Hylan Building 
Rochester, NY 14627 
Phone: (585)  273-5629
Fax: (585) 273-4655
E-mail: dangeba at math dot rochester dot edu