Math Circles events at Dal in the 2011/2012 school year

Events will be held from 5:30-7:30pm in the Chase Building, Room 119 (Student Learning Centre) of Dalhousie University. We will serve pizza, so please RSVP so that we know how many pizzas to purchase for each event.

Here is our planned schedule for the 2011/2012 school year. All dates are subject to change. If you and your school have a specific date conflict, please let us know and we will try to accommodate your needs!

September 21, 2011 
Karyn McLellan & Danielle Cox

Topic: Fibonacci and the Golden Ratio

Join Karyn and Danielle in the first Math Circles event of the new school year! We will be exploring the mathematics of the Fibonacci numbers and Golden Ratio. We will even listen to some Fibonacci number inspired music!

October 18 & 19, 2011 
Alain Gamache

Topic: Numeral Systems

Join Alain on a journey that will take you to the very first systems of numerals in ancient civilizations. Learn the needs that lead the Egyptians to develop clever arithmetics methods to fill their everyday needs, the origin of our system for measuring time and why CDLIV*XXVII is not as easy as it looks! We will also try to understand what is the big deal with the 12/21/12. This presentation will be in French on Oct 18 and in English on Oct 19!!

November 16, 2011 
Rebecca Milley

Topic: Primes

Join Rebecca for a "prime time" Math Circles event! Learn how prime
numbers were found by ancient Greeks, and how huge primes today are the
secret to internet encryption! We will learn some divisibility "tricks",
prove that there are an infinite number of primes, and explore one of the
oldest unsolved problems in mathematics: the Goldbach Conjecture!

December 14, 2011 
Hoda Chuangpishit,Karyn McLellan & Rebecca Milley

Topic: Permutations and Combinations

Before you take off for the holiday break, join the Math Circles gang for the last event of 2011. We will be exploring the topic of permutations and combinations through fun problem solving activities!

January 18, 2012 
Ethan Mombourquette

Topic: Logic & Reasoning

Come learn that math is not all numbers! Join Ethan as he introduces us to formal logic, applies it to some fun activities like the “wolf, goat, cabbage” problem and introduces the idea of 'proof' in a nonthreatening way!

February 22, 2012
Dr. John Grant McLoughlin (UNB)

Topic: The Wonder of Numbers

Please join us to share in meeting some of the wonders of numbers through mathematical games, problems, proofs and more. Whether it be curious properties of numbers, the lovely manner in which numbers work together, playfulness in a game, the beauty of patterns and pictorial representations, or a poem, know that your view on numbers will be enriched through a recreational mathematical evening. 

Teachers from elementary to postsecondary levels are also welcome to attend.

March 21, 2012 
Karyn McLellan
Topic: Pi (we will celebrate Pi day a week late due to the March Break!)

April 18, 2012 
TBA
Topic: TBA

May 9, 2012
Hoda Chuangpishit
Topic: TBA

June 6, 2012
TBA
Topic: TBA