Math Circle is a supplementary program at Talking Stick, led by Mt. Airy math educator Rodi Steinig. Math Circles are a form of education enrichment and outreach that bring mathematicians into direct contact with students. It is an informal setting to work on interesting problems or topics in mathematics. The goal is to get the students excited about the mathematics, giving them a setting that encourages them to become passionate about mathematics.
Goals of a Math Circle
to expose children to the richness of mathematics content
to help children realize that mathematics isn’t defined by arithmetic or performance
to allow children to experience the creativity of mathematics
to explore mathematics in a collaborative group, vs. competitive group or individual pursuit
to help children find or increase enjoyment in mathematics
to foster conceptual understanding of mathematical topics
to inform parents about mathematics pedagogy so that they can increase their children’s and families’ math enjoyment and success in general
Upcoming Math Circles
Math Circle Leaders
Rodi Steinig
Rodi’s goals are to awaken children’s inner mathematicians, to shepherd the unfolding of their abstract reasoning, and to disabuse them of the notion that math is the study of memorizing a bunch of facts and algorithms. She has led the Talking Stick Math Circle since 2011.
Rodi Steinig is an Associate Director, and the Director of Mentoring, of the National Association of Math Circles.
Additionally, Rodi is a prolific math blogger, and the co-author (with Rachel Steinig) of the book Math Renaissance. She has educated K-12 students in an inquiry-based approach for over twenty years.
Rodi is a homeschooling parent with a BS in Economics from the Wharton School of Penn, and a M. Ed from Cabrini College. Her math circle training was through the gentle guidance of Bob and Ellen Kaplan of The Math Circle. Her current mathematical interests lie in the field of the philosophy of math.
The Talking Stick Math Circle is partially funded by the National Association of Math Circles, a program of the Mathematical Sciences Research Institute.
