Peninsula Math Circle
The Peninsula Math Circle runs weekly sessions to introduce middle school students to the beauty of mathematics by allowing them to engage with mathematical ideas and thinking beyond the standard math curriculum. We hope students come to appreciate that mathematics is full of opportunities for exploration and discovery (and not a "dead topic" that is completely figured out).
Building a Community
Through the math circle, students are introduced to the wider math community. Collaborative problem-solving sessions and small-group discussions (and snack break!) offer students the chance to find friends from other Bay Area middle schools. High school students who love math serve as role models for the PMC students by leading small-group discussions and answering questions outside of class.
Teaching Philosophy
- Encourage Sustained Engagement at the Edge of Each Student’s Capabilities. We believe that the greatest growth occurs when students spend most of their time working on problems that present a challenge but are not "impossible." This will be different for each student. As long as a student puts in the time and effort to work on the problems (even if s/he does not ultimately solve the problem), s/he will improve her/his skills.
- Working Together, Online Resources, and AI Tools. We recognize the value of collaborative effort, online resources, and AI tools in learning. However, we also believe that deep understanding is only achieved when a student works through problems by herself/himself. To support development of both of these learning skills, we allow students to collaborate, look for solutions online, or get ideas from AI as long as they take the time to understand the ideas and write up their own solutions.
- Emphasize Explanations. We emphasize understanding and explaining solution approaches – rather than focusing on "getting the right answer." This emphasis is reflected in the way we allocate points when grading homework – half of the points are showing work/writing down ideas and half of the points are for getting the correct answer.
- Learning Support Tailored to Individual Students. We are happy to help any student who wants to develop the skills needed to solve every problem – it may take time (that is both normal and OK). We encourage students to ask questions about problems they want to learn how to solve – during class, in Google Classroom, or via email. We will work to guide them to the answer.
Fall 2026
Description
Explore the beauty and art of problem-solving through competition math topics (algebra, geometry, number theory, counting, logic). Classes will be a mixture of (1) problem-solving sessions and (2) instructor-guided group discussions on problems students are interested in. Prerequisites: enthusiastic about math. Need-based financial aid available.
Optional homework will give students practice on problems from various middle and high school competitions. Students who complete homework problems earn points that can be exchanged for prizes (e.g., books, gift cards, mechanical pencils, squishies).
Students will be grouped by their math level and social dynamics considerations.
Time: Saturdays from 1pm to 3pm
Dates: (13 classes)
9/12, 9/19, 9/26, 10/3, 10/10, 10/17, 10/24, 10/31, 11/7, 11/14, 11/21, 12/5, 12/12
Grades: 6th - 8th (advanced 5th graders permitted)
Prerequisites: curious and enthusiastic about math, comfort with pre-algebra,
familiarity with basic concepts from Algebra 1 and Geometry
Fees: See class registration link for fee information (the Peninsula
Math Circle runs as a Teens program offered by the
Burlingame Parks and
Recreation Division).
For trial classes, late registrations (pro-rated), or need-based financial aid, please contact Kevin Chu at peninsula.math.circle@gmail.com.
Staff
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Past Sessions