Math Circles
at Washington University in St. Louis
Jennifer Jeffrey and Steven G. Krantz
Math Circles is an idea that was born in Eastern Europe in the
nineteenth century. Budapest and Moscow have had active Math Circles
programs for many years. The purpose of Math Circles is
to give middle school and high school students an opportunity
to interact, on a scholarly level, with university professors
and students. They are introduced to novel and exciting
mathematical ideas---ones that they would not see in their
ordinary classroom work.
Many of the presenters at our Math Circles sessions are world-class
researchers in the mathematics discipline. They are uniquely
qualified to bring these young students to the cutting edge
of modern research in mathematics. The students are thus
given a glimpse of what the mathematical life is really like,
and what research is.
Math Circles sessions are interactive. The young students are
as much a part of the exchange of information as is the
instructor. Students frequently go to the board to explain
their ideas. Students collaborate in groups of two or three
to work out ideas presented in class.
The Washington University Math Circles program has been in place
for four years. It is an exciting and important outreach activity
for the university. It has become an essential part of the life
of the mathematics department. And it is a key element of the educational
infrastructure of St. Louis.