Class descriptions

Math Circles

Topics in each class vary based on students' interest and questions, but always incorporate student-led discussion, creativity, and visualization. We often explore mathematical fields that students may otherwise not encounter until college, which are surprisingly approachable even to our youngest and least experienced students. Examples include graph theory, game theory, probability, and combinatorics. Classes are 60 minutes long and sessions run for 10 weeks. This fall, our offerings will be virtual in collaboration with International Chess Academy.

To start a program at your school or to put together your own math circle (with a minimum of 3 students), please contact Natasha at vermont.math.circle@gmail.com.

Dungeons & Dragons Math Circles

D&D is a role-playing game, and is based first and foremost around creative self-expression, with a DM (Dungeon Master) weaving a narrative and all participants shaping that narrative with their characters and in-game choices. We also combine a typical D&D session with math circle style discussion. This aspect arrises naturally within the narrative; for example, students may work together to solve a puzzle in an "escape the dungeon" type scenario, or do some probability calculations (with the initial guidance of a wise wizard that they encounter along the way) to figure out what the most ideal weapons are for fighting an oncoming enemy. No familiarity with D&D or math circles is required! Participants can bring their own characters, use one of the characters the DM creates, or come to an optional character creation workshop for help with creating their own.

We had 2 super fun and very successful 4-week sessions in summer 2023! To start a private D&DMC in the fall, either in person in Burlington or virtual (with a minimum of 3 students), please contact Natasha at vermont.math.circle@gmail.com.

Chess Circles

Our chess circles are 60 minutes long, with the first 40 minutes devoted to instruction and the last 20 minutes to game play. Instruction includes group discussion of the week’s topic, puzzle sheets that students work out on their own, and occasionally partnering up to play some mini-games that target specific aspects of chess. Typical sessions run for 8 weeks. We are currently taking a break from chess circles as we find an ideal location and grow our Vermont presence. To start a private chess circle in the fall, either in person in Burlington or virtual (with a minimum of 3 students), please contact Natasha at vermont.math.circle@gmail.com.

Teacher Workshops

These workshops focus on giving elementary and middle school math teachers (as well as homeschooling parents) new ideas to include in their classrooms. We cover how to introduce advanced topics in an engaging and approachable way, how to bring in games that are fun and yet mathematically significant, and how to connect fresh concepts to the existing curriculum. Workshops meet on 2 consecutive days for 2 hours each day, and teachers/parents take home a pdf of creative teaching materials that they can pull from throughout the year.

We had 2 great 2-hour workshops in summer 2023! Sign up for our mailing list to see when we’ll run the next one, or email Natasha at vermont.math.circle@gmail.com if you’d like to establish a workshop for teachers at your school or with an informal homeschooling group. You can also buy a copy of the pdf here - on sale now for 33% off!