Program overview
Math Circles is a free enrichment program for students in Grades 6 to 12. It runs for eight weeks each Fall and Winter, offering both in-person (Grades 6-12) and online (Grades 6-8 only) sessions. The program covers mathematical topics beyond the standard curriculum through problem-solving and direct instruction. Sessions are divided by grade levels, ensuring appropriate content and challenge for each group.
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Program details
Materials are intended to be accessible to interested students from Grades 6 to 12. There are four levels to choose from: Grade 6, Grade 7/8, Grade 9/10, Grade 11/12. Students can choose their Math Circles level based on their grade level and/or mathematical ability.
Mathematics and computer science are powerful tools, and diversity among mathematicians and computer scientists increases the potential for positive impact. The CEMC strives to be inclusive and welcoming to participants of all gender identities, cultural backgrounds, and lived experiences.
- Math Circles groups meet once a week, with participants attending the same afternoon/evening session for the entire eight weeks. We request participants ensure their availability and dedication for the entire evening/afternoon sessions they choose. This consistency will maximize the learning experience and foster a cohesive learning environment.
- While Math Circles is open to all interested students, we would expect that participants attending are prepared to actively engage in the session’s tasks and work through and solve the problems presented at each session.
Math Circles runs both in person and online at the Grade 6 and Grade 7/8 levels, and in person only at the Grade 9/10 and Grade11/12 levels.
- Grade 6 Math Circles will meet in person Tuesday or Wednesday evenings from 6:30 p.m. ‐ 8:00 p.m. The online section will meet Thursday evenings from 6:30 p.m. ‐ 8:00 p.m. EDT/EST. The topics covered in Grade 6 Math Circles are TBD.
- Grade 7/8 Math Circles will meet in person Tuesday or Wednesday evenings from 6:30 p.m. ‐ 8:00 p.m. or Thursday afternoons from 4:30 p.m. ‐ 6:00 p.m. The online section will meet Monday evenings from 6:30 p.m. ‐ 8:00 p.m. EDT/EST. The topics covered in Grade 7/8 Math Circles are TBD.
- Grade 9/10 and Grade 11/12 Math Circles will meet in person Wednesday evenings from 6:30 p.m. ‐ 8:30 p.m. There is no online offering for these levels at this time. The topics covered in the Winter 2025 offerings of Grade 9/10 and Grade 11/12 Math Circles are:
- Grade 9/10: Statistical Applications, Ancient Greek Mathematics, and Pigeonholes, Parities and Proofs: An Introduction to Ramsey Theory
- Grade 11/12: Combinatorial Proofs and Binomial Coefficients, Induction, and Design Theory
Fall 2025:
Week 1: Oct 6/7/8/9
Week 2: Oct 13/14/15/16
Week 3: Oct 20/21/22/23
Week 4: Oct 27/28/29/30
Week 5: Nov 3/4/5/6
Week 6: Nov 10/11/12/13
Week 7: Nov 17/18/19/20
Week 8: Nov 24/25/26/27
Winter 2026:
Winter Math Circles will be held from the first week of February to the end of March with a break from Monday, March 16 to Friday, March 20, 2026.
Online Math Circles will take place over Zoom. Links will be emailed to registered participants closer to the first date.
Below are some sample materials from previous editions of Math Circles:
| Grade 6 | Functions | ||
| Computer Science | |||
| Probability | |||
| Cryptography | |||
| Grade 7/8 | Systems of Equations | ||
| Turing Machines | |||
| Game Theory | |||
| Graph Theory and Search Algorithms | |||
| Grade 9/10 | Linear Diophantine Equations I | ||
| Linear Diophantine Equations II | |||
| Introduction to Group Theory I | |||
| Introduction to Group Theory II | |||
| Introduction to Group Theory III | |||
| Grade 11/12 | Cryptography I | ||
| Cryptography II | |||
| Dynamical Systems and Fractals I | |||
| Dynamical Systems and Fractals II |
Fall 2025:
Registration opens on Thursday, September 4, 2025 at noon, and closes on Monday, September 22, 2025 at 11:59 p.m.
Winter 2026:
Registration opens on Thursday, January 8, 2026 at noon, and closes on Monday, January 19, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.
As part of the registration process for Gr 9/10 and Gr 11/12 Math Circles, an expression of interest by the student is required (optional for Gr 6 and Gr 7/8). The prompt is provided here so that you may prepare your expression in advance of registration opening: "In 50-100 words, explain why you would like to register for Math Circles and tell us about your interest and experience in mathematics."
Registration for Grade 6 and Grade 7/8 Math Circles is first-come, first-served. Registration for Grade 9/10 and Grade 11/12 Math Circles will be first-come, first-served for most spots, and a lottery system from the waiting list will be used for the remaining spots, with preference given to students in schools with lower Math Circles enrolment. Those who do not secure a space in the Fall will be placed on a waiting list and will be given priority access to registration for the Winter session.
All attendees for Math Circles will be required to acknowledge and follow the program guidelines, which can be found here.
Math Circles is a completely free program offered by the CEMC.
In the case of extreme weather conditions, please check your email for an announcement regarding whether or not Math Circles has been cancelled for the evening.
For any inquiries or questions, please feel free to contact our Math Circles Organizer.
