The Department of Mathematics is proud to support the University of Florida Math Circle, organized by faculty members Dana Bartosova, Jeremy Booher and Sergei Pilyugin.
Math Circles are communities of students who enjoy exploring mathematical ideas and engaging in creative problem solving. Meetings are lively, interactive and often what we call funstrating: challenging, yet deeply rewarding. Participants are introduced to topics not commonly covered in school curricula and are encouraged to experiment and play with ideas.
Past sessions have included themes such as mathematical card tricks based on de Bruijn sequences, the geometry behind the game Spot It!, frieze patterns and group theory, and the strategy behind the prisoner’s dilemma.
Most sessions are held on Saturday mornings throughout the academic year and are made possible by the department’s financial support and the dedication of our faculty, graduate students and undergraduate volunteers. While our primary audience is middle and high school students, we occasionally host special sessions designed for elementary students when the topic allows.
The Math Circle also organizes the annual UF Math Festival, most recently held on February 8, 2025. This event welcomed hundreds of visitors from the Gainesville community for a morning of mathematical enrichment, hands-on activities, puzzles, art and games.
To learn more about upcoming events and how to get involved, visit our Math Circle website.
