Around the Globe | National Math Festival
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Around the Globe

Here we will be listing selected upcoming and/or ongoing national and global events of interest to our National Math Festival audience.

Ongoing Events

Julia Robinson Mathematics Festival

Julia Robinson was a mathematics professor at the University of California, Berkeley for many years who is especially known for her work in solving Hilbert’s tenth problem. The Julia Robinson Mathematics Festivals began in the San Francisco Bay Area in 2007 to honor her legacy and encourage more students to pursue mathematics, and have since expanded to other cities around the world. Beginning in 2020, JRMF events have expanded to include a virtual webinar series and social events for teens and adults, as well as virtual and in-person volunteer training and events in an expanding number of languages.

Celebration of Mind

Celebration of Mind festivals honor the legacy of Martin Gardner, who brought recreational mathematics to millions of people during his 50-year career with Scientific American magazine, as well as writing many popular books on math and logic puzzles, games, card tricks, and even Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. You can find out more about Celebration of Mind events taking place around the world, or learn how to host one in your area.

California Mathematics Festival Program

The California Mathematics Festival offers school-wide events to expose K-8th grade students, teachers, and parents to key critical mathematics topics. Activities and challenges are standards-based and appropriate for ALL ability levels. For more information about how to bring one of these events to your school, visit the website.

NYC Math Festival with the National Museum of Mathematics

Each year in August, MoMath hosts a free math festival in New York City, featuring many past National Math Festival presenters. To follow upcoming MoMath events, visit their website.

Oxford Mathematics Public Lectures (United Kingdom + Online)

The University of Oxford’s Oxford Mathematical Institute offers free public lectures throughout the year featuring some of the world’s most highly regarded mathematicians (including several National Math Festival presenters!). You can view a list of upcoming events, or skip directly to view the videos of past programs from the comfort of your home!

Secrets of the Surface: The Mathematical Vision of Maryam Mirzakhani Film Screenings

Filmed in Canada, Iran, and the United States, Secrets of the Surface: The Mathematical Vision of Maryam Mirzakhani examines the life and mathematical work of Maryam Mirzakhani, an Iranian immigrant to the United States who became a superstar in her field. In 2014, she was both the first woman and the first Iranian to be honored by mathematics’ highest prize, the Fields Medal. Mirzakhani’s contributions are explained in the film by leading mathematicians and illustrated by animated sequences. Her mathematical colleagues from around the world, as well as former teachers, classmates, and students in Iran today, convey the deep impact of her achievements. The path of her education, success on Iran’s Math Olympiad team, and her brilliant work, make Mirzakhani an ideal role model for girls looking toward careers in science and mathematics. The film is screening worldwide at film festivals and is also available for online streaming rental and purchase as well as DVD and Blu-Ray.

Navajo Math Circles Film Screenings

Hundreds of Navajo children in recent years have found themselves at the center of a lively collaboration with mathematicians from around the world. The children stay late after school and assemble over the summer to study mathematics, using a model called math circles, which originated in Eastern Europe and has proliferated across the United States. Navajo Math Circles, a one-hour documentary film about the Navajo Nation Math Circle program, has been aired on select PBS member stations nationwide and continues to screen at film festivals around the U.S. and the world.

 

Events Calendar

March 14th (Annually)

 International Day of Mathematics (Pi Day, March 14th)

On March 14th -- which in the USA is written 3/14, just like the mathematical constant π (pi), or 3.14... -- math lovers and organizations worldwide celebrate their love of both the mathematical pi and also the baked dessert known as pie! Check out https://www.idm314.org for more information or share your local celebration plans!

April (Annually)

Mathematics and Statistics Awareness Month

Mathematics and Statistics Awareness Month is held each year in April. Its goal is to increase public understanding of and appreciation for mathematics. Activities include a wide variety of workshops, competitions, exhibits, festivals, lectures, and other events, which are organized by college and university departments, institutional public information offices, student groups, and related associations and interest groups.

USA Science and Engineering Festival (Washington, DC, USA)

The USA Science and Engineering Festival takes place in person every other year in Washington, DC.

During the week of April 19, 2021, schools nationwide and beyond can join X-STEM All Access, an entertaining, educational, and interactive online STEM experience for 6-12th graders. Through a series of daily livestream events, students will hear from an exclusive group of visionaries who aim to inspire kids about careers in science, technology, engineering, and math.

October (Annually)

Global Math Week

The Global Math Project is an invitation to students, teachers, and communities everywhere to actively foster their sense of wonder and to enjoy truly uplifting mathematics. Math is a human endeavor: it’s about thinking creatively, exploring patterns, explaining structure, and solving real problems. The Global Math Project will share a unifying, joyful experience of mathematics with people all across the world. (Explore Global Math Week’s signature activity, Exploding Dots, for yourself: try it online, or learn from Dr. Raj Shah in this video from the 2017 National Math Festival!)

2021 Festival
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