OVERVIEW
Math Circles have been active in Toronto for several years. While
some of the students who attend simply like to work on challenging
problems, many others use the weekly circles meetings to help them
prepare for competitive mathematics contests, either individually
or as members of a team. Some of the past participants in this program
have gone on to represent Canada at the International Mathematical
Olympiad, the most elite and prestigious of these competitions.
A generous grant from Angoss Software Corporation will allow some
of the participating students to take part in competitions outside
of Toronto.
MEETINGS
Mathematics Circles are held at the Fields Institute on Saturday
afternoons. There are about 50 students participating on a weekly
basis. There will be 10 to 12 sessions in the fall term (late September
to early December) and another 10-12 in the winter spring term,
ending by late May. The Fields Mathematics Circles sessions are
open to high school students from throughout the Toronto area.
HISTORY
The Math Circles concept was developed in Moscow in the 1950's as
a way to maintain the interest of bright students in mathematics.
Challenging material from outside the regular curriculum, as well
as preparation for problem solving competitions were seen as the
key to maintaining this interest. A critical component to the success
of this concept was the active involvement of some of the major
figures of the Moscow mathematical community. And, indeed, the Math
Circles proved to be highly successful with similar groups established
throughout the Soviet Union and beyond. The migration of former
Soviet scientists to the West at the end of the twentieth century
carried the concept to North America.
Mathematics Circles you would like to be informed of when classes
start each term please subscribe to our mail list at: http://www.fields.utoronto.ca/maillist
or contact as at geninfo@fields.utoronto.ca
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