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.


Jennifer Jeffrey

Steven G. Krantz
Last modified: Sat Feb 4 17:19:23 CST 2006