Math Circles at Haven

At Haven, we study mathematics in a Math Circle, in which a leader presents a vague but interesting math problem. The participants ask clarifying questions, pose conjectures, invent methods to test conjectures, justify or reject conjectures again and again, to the eventual ends of generalizing, abstraction, understanding truth, solving problems, and proof. The problems are low-floor, high-ceiling so that students can enter at and progress to varying levels of concepts rooted in advanced mathematics. The leader acts more like a secretary, in a supporting role, as the participants work collaboratively to solve the problem.

Math Circles originated in Eastern Europe over 100 years ago. Robert and Ellen Kaplan brought them to the US in 1994, and Math Circles have been spreading in popularity ever since. Haven’s Math Circle is facilitated by Rodi Steinig of Math Renaissance. Rodi was trained by the Kaplans in 2011, mentored by them for the next 10 years, and has been leading Math Circles for 15 years.