Maths Circles – the global picture Who helped you develop your interest in mathematics and how? Here I must mention a math circle I went to … run by mathematics graduate students. It was an absolutely amazing experience! Sometimes we would think about problems, other times the teachers would tell us a simplified version of a lecture that they themselves had heard a few days earlier. Again, we all felt that nothing out there could even compare to what we were doing. That was when I decided that I would major in math in college. As I studied more mathematics over the next ten years, the problems got harder, the lectures got more complicated, but the feeling that there is nothing better I could possibly do with my time is still there. Maria Chudnovsky Associate Professor Columbia University

How about Ireland? Higher Level Leaving Cert Mathematics A few years back... Higher Level Leaving Cert Mathematics 2001 : 9,938 students 2009 : 8,420 students International Mathematical Olympiad Team results: Ireland 2005 2010 2013

Our response: Maths Circles in schools around Cork Mastermind: Logic/Combinatorics Nim: Divisibility Sequences: Probabilities, Equations

Maths Circles Ireland “The Maths Circle... was a great success last year and we are eager to continue this year. The tutors were enthusiastic and it rubbed off on our students.” Siobhan McGrath, Maths Co-ordinator Presentation Brothers College “It’s fantastic to see those very good students so engaged in the Maths Circle, clearly enjoying the experience of being challenged mathematically.” Jim Long, Principal Douglas Community School “We had our second year's parent-teacher meeting Tuesday afternoon. The maths teachers said that the parents were thrilled with the maths circles and that the kids are really realy enjoying them. Apparently ye couldn't be praised highly enough!” Sian Joyce, Coláiste an Phiarsaigh