Teaching Math: Annual March 14th "Pi Day" Celebration

If you measure around a circle (its circumference) and divide that number by the circle's diameter, the result is always the same...approximately 3.14, and it's called "pi". A circle's size has no bearing on the result. The decimal places of pi never end or repeat. Pi has been calculated on a computer to over two trillion digits! The symbol for pi is the Greek letter Π. The pronunciation is the same as "pie". To honor the number 3.14, March 14^th was chosen as "Pi Day". Physicist Larry Shaw founded Pi Day over twenty years ago. At the time, he wasn't even aware that it was also Albert Einstein's birthday.

Pi Day provides a rare opportunity for teachers to celebrate mathematics with their students. From elementary to high school age, they'll love being a part of the "Pi Party". Raise the level of enthusiasm in your school by planning Pi Day activities. Even if you teach elementary school, the students will benefit by realizing there's a math symbol called pi. They'll think that's cool.

Teach in a Pi Tattoo
How about showing up with Academic Tattoos' temporary tattoos of the pi symbol on your arm? You'll no doubt be the talk of the school. Have a simple Pi Day contest in your class and give additional tattoos as prizes.

Make a Pi Chain
Students can create a pi chain. Use paper plates or paper chain links. Assign a digit of pi to each student and see how far you can carry out the digits of pi. Staple it all around the school hallways. Use Pi Day's million digits of pi as your guide.

Make Pi Music
Play songs about pi over the intercom between class periods. The Pi Day website has video renditions of "Mathematical Pi", "Pi Rap", and more. Better yet, have groups of students sing pi songs. The Teach Pi website has Pi Day carols set to such tunes as Jingle Bells and Rudolph.

Exercise Pi at Lunch
Organize a hula hoop contest at lunch. This is a great P.T.O. project. Provide measuring tape and calculators so that the students can discover pi by measuring the circumference then dividing by the diameter of each hoop. Different sized hoops work best.

Read Pi
There are several books written about Pi, such as "The Joy of Pi"" and "Sir Circumference and the Dragon Pi". Amazon carries several titles.

Show Pi Day Spirit
Ask the administration to spring for t-shirts or buttons. The staff can all display the pi symbol, and you'll have a good excuse for wearing jeans that day!
There are two great websites where you can find these and more activities. (See Resources) Take advantage of this time to have fun with math. Make Pi Day a memorable one for your students.

Resources
TeachPi
Pi Day
Quickest Way to Get to Grips with Pi
Pi Day at Math Goodies

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