MATH CIRCLES OF CHICAGO
This organization has already been registered
Someone in your organization has already registered and setup an account. would you like to join their team?Profile owner : D**g@m******************o.o*g
Mission Statement
Math Circles of Chicago (MC2) is a 501(c)3 non-profit whose mission is to create opportunities for all children across Chicago to develop a passion for mathematics. MC2 achieves this mission by providing free, unique math enrichment programs outside of regular school hours and across Chicago for 5th–12th grade students of diverse backgrounds with the goal of equipping kids to excel in STEM fields in college and beyond.
About This Cause
Founded in 2010 as the Payton Citywide Math Circle, Math Circles of Chicago (MC2) is a 501(c)3 non-profit whose mission is to create opportunities for all children across Chicago to develop a passion for mathematics. MC2 achieves this mission by providing free, unique math enrichment programs outside of regular school hours and across Chicago for 5th–12th grade students of diverse backgrounds with the goal of equipping kids to excel in STEM fields in college and beyond. The concept of math circles dates back a century ago in Eastern Europe as a means of exploring advanced mathematical principles through work on interesting problems in an environment that encourages self-discovery and an excitement about mathematics. Young students are guided by master mathematicians. Math Circles of Chicago (MC2) is the largest of over 100 math circles across the United States. Typically math circles serve children who already have a strong mathematical identity. MC2 is unique in its efforts to reach a broader segment of children; those who have not participated in math enrichment before and whose view of mathematics is limited to the classroom experience. The learning in math circles goes far beyond studying to Common Core standards or prepping for ACT or advanced placement exams, which can be tedious, rote and overwhelming. Math Circles of Chicago’s curriculum is exploratory and engaging via lesson plans that are cooperative, fun, and accessible to all. In FY19 MC2 served 580 5th- 12th graders from communities across Chicago via weekly or bi-weekly sessions at seven sites across the City. Sites are in Old Town, North Center, Bridgeport, Pilsen, Hyde Park, Little Village and Morgan Park. In FY20 the eighth site will open in the Back of the Yards neighborhood. The number of students served by MC2 has grown from 240 students in FY15 to 580 in FY19. 44% of MC2 students qualify for free and reduced lunch, 43% are girls, 22% are African American and 25% are Latino. The 580 students served in FY19 attend 150 different Chicago Public Schools and represent nearly all of Chicago’s 57 zip codes. Since its founding, Math Circles of Chicago has served over 2,500 Chicago students. To augment MC2’s school year program, the first MC2 Summer Camp was instituted in 2017 reaching 100 students over a five-day day camp. In FY20, three 2-week Summer Camps will welcome 132 children, 76% of whom were enrolled in a 2018-19 school year session creating an important bridge between academic years to deepen the MC2 experience and to mitigate summer learning loss. MC2 Summer Camps offer an immersion experience with peers that further solidifies a math identity and are an intermediate step in launching students to advanced STEM learning experiences. Upon completion of the FY20 Summer Camp season, over 400 of Chicago’s youth will have participated. In addition, since 2013 MC2 has held an annual QED Youth Math Symposium to promote independent mathematical research. QED is an opportunity for children to take the next step beyond math circles and do inquiry into novel mathematics of their own creation. The spirit of QED is much like that of a science fair, with students producing and showcasing extended mathematical research. Since its inception, 720 students have participated in QED.