Meetings

Below is an archive of our meetings from Fall 2025, Spring 2026, and Fall 2026.

September 26, 2026

Dicovery (Green Group)  --- Tom Haque (+Akhil Bollapragada)

Title: Super Tangrams

Abstract: Tangrams are a classic Chinese puzzle consisting of 7 pieces which fit together to form a square or other shapes. Super Tangrams are a set of 14 pieces which fit together to form a large number of shapes.

We will try to make as many shapes as possible with Super Tangram and try to win against each other. 

Discovery (Blue Group) --- John Weeks

Title: SET Quilt

Abstract:  We will play the game of SET with a twist. SET is a pattern recognition game where students attempt to find a set of three cards for which each of the four attributes of objects on those cards is either all the same or all different. Working together, students place cards so that every row, column, and diagonal forms a SET, gradually uncovering a self-similar rule: the same all-same-or-all-different principle that defines a SET among cards also determines exactly where each card belongs in the grid — both which quilt block it goes in, and where within that block.

Discovery (Red Group) --- Sinjini Sengupta

Title: Mondrain Art Puzzles

Abstract: You’re Mondrian’s mathematical boss. Instead of allowing Mondrian to randomly draw rectangles and colors -you lay out requirements: 1) Mondrian must cover an N by N canvas entirely with rectangles. 2) Every rectangle in the painting must have different dimensions. 3) Mondrian must use as few colors as possible, and rectangles with the same color cannot touch one another. Under these rules, Mondrian must try to minimize his score. A painting’s score is the area of its largest rectangle minus the area of its smallest rectangle 

Problem Solving (Green Group) --- Jennifer Yuan 

Topic: Art of Problem Solving - Pre Algebra

Problem Solving (Blue Group) --- Shivam Tiwari

Topic: Art of Problem Solving - Introduction to Geometry

Problem Solving (Red Group) --- Joshua Im

Topic: Problems with Geometry

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September 12, 2026

Dicovery (Green Group)  --- Sinjini Sengupta

Title: 5x5 Grids

Abstract: We will explore a 5 x 5 grid and try to connect all the cells in the grid, exactly once, as a continuous single path. We will use a sequential path or adjacency rule where each cell links only to its horizontal and vertical neighbors (up, down, left, right).  We will explore if it is possible to connect all the cells from all possible starting points. We will also explore different sized grids, other shapes as well as other rules and connect the math behind them. 

Discovery (Blue Group) --- Philip Yasskin

Title: Math Bingo

Abstract: We will play BINGO, but instead of trying to get 5 in a row, you need to get 1 in each column and use those numbers to form an equation. You can use + - * / ^ root log factorial parentheses and one = sign. 

Discovery (Red Group) --- Frank Sottile

Title: Real Oddities

Abstract: We all  have an intuitive  familiarity with the real  numbers, as they are  used to measure  time, space, and any  other continuous quantity.  Indeed, the  real numbers are a  foundation for higher mathematics (e.g. Calculus) and  its applications.  As such, they warrant a  more careful  study, which reveals  some paradoxically odd aspects of this otherwise familiar object.

In this discussion, we will explore  some of these odd, but basic aspects  of the  real numbers  including the  Cantor Set  and the Devil's Staircase.

Problem Solving (Green Group) --- Jennifer Yuan 

Topic: Art of Problem Solving - Pre Algebra

Problem Solving (Blue Group) ---

Topic: Art of Problem Solving - Introduction to Geometry

Problem Solving (Red Group) --- Joshua Im

Topic: Problems with Geometry

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Spring 2026

Last Math Circle for 2025-26:  April 25, 2026

Discovery Session for Green Group ---- Dr. Sinjini Sengupta

Title: Dice Tac Toe

Abstract:  A JRMF game which is a twist on tic-tac-toe.

The Blue Group and Red Group competed in a Math Wrangle!

We ended with Participation Certificates, Math Wrangle Prizes and Pizza! Everyone had a great time. 

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April 18, 2026

Discovery Session for Green Group ---- Mark Shiliaev

Title: Minimal Trips around the Collatz Galaxy

Abstract:  We will start with a number, go around in a circle and return to the same number using some unknown (as of now) rules. Students will furst figure out the rules of the game and then solve some puzzles using these rules.
We will also look at the shape of numbers called Integral Fission.

Discovery Session for Blue Group ---- David Manuel

Title: Gerrymandering

Abstract:  Every so often local and state officials are allowed to change the boundaries of voting districts to reflect changes in the population. But a widespread technique called "gerrymandering" involves strategically drawing these boundaries so that members of the ruling party can be re-elected, even if most of the voters in their region vote against them. We'll explore how gerrymandering works, draw our own voting district maps, and investigate mathematical techniques so that we can choose drawing districts that are fair for everyone."

Discovery Session for Red Group ---- Elliot Shea

Title: Hercules and Hydra

Abstract: After a late night reading about classical mythology (or watching “Clash of the Titans” yet again), you drift off to sleep and dream that you are face-to-face with a many-headed monster that is clearly not happy to see you, either. “Ahah,” you think, “I must be Hercules and that . . . thing must be the Hydra!” Following the Hydra’s rules, can you kill it?

Problem-Solving Session for Green Group ---- Dr. Zhizhang Xie

Topic: Art of Problem-Solving: Pre-algebra.

Problem-Solving Session for Blue Group ---- Jake Song

Topic: Selected AMC 8 Problems

Problem-Solving Session for Red Group (Hybrid) ---- Joshua Im

Topic: Symmetry in counting, and ratio problems 

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April 11, 2026

Discovery Session for Green Group ---- Aditya Nambiar

Title: Factor Game

Abstract: A teacher challenges students to a game. The rules are explained as the game progresses. The player with the highest total wins! Students then play against each other. Afterwards, while analyzing the game, prime, composite, perfect, deficient, and abundant numbers are discovered and defined. Students again play the game using the strategies they determined. In a professional development video, teachers focus on the topic of number systems and number theory using a game setting to investigate the properties of prime, composite, abundant, deficient, and perfect numbers. This video can be used in conjunction with The Factor Game lesson plan. 

Discovery Session for Blue Group ---- Dr Sinjini Sengupta

Title: Minimal Trips around the Collatz Galaxy

Abstract: We will start with a number, go around in a circle and return to the same number using some unknown (as of now) rules. Students will furst figure out the rules of the game and then solve some puzzles using these rules..
We will also look at the shape of numbers called Integral Fission.

Discovery Session for Red Group ---- Dr. John Weeks

Title:  The never ending War

Abstract: The games of War, Beggar-My-Neighbor, and Sticks offer examples of games that we can modify to be never-ending. In the game of Sticks, we ask the players to find a way to play so that the game enters a cyclical pattern where the game never ends. We then continue with the card games War and Beggar-My-Neighbor: if we allow a limited deck, can we choose how cards are positioned in the deck so that the game never terminates? By making these games cooperative rather than competitive, we stretch the rules of the games and find some beautiful results along the way.

Problem-Solving Session for Green Group ---- Mengxiang Jiang

Topic: Art of Problem-Solving: Pre-algebra.

Problem-Solving Session for Blue Group ---- Dr. Kun Wang

Topic: Selected AMC Problems

Problem-Solving Session for Red Group (Hybrid) ---- Joshua Im

Topic: Symmetry in counting, and ratio problems 

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March 21, 2026

Discovery Learning: Green Group (in Pre-Algebra and below)

Speaker: William Taylor

Title:  License Plates and Divisibility

Abstract: Crack the Divisibility Code: Have you ever wondered why divisibility rules work? In this session, we’ll explore a fascinating number puzzle inspired by a mathematician’s clever license plate. As you solve the puzzle, you’ll experiment with different strategies—making organized lists, spotting patterns, building tables, or even trying a little algebra. Along the way, you’ll discover surprising structures hidden inside ordinary numbers and see how mathematicians reason, test ideas, and argue for their solutions.

Discovery Learning: Blue Group (in Algebra I and/or Geometry)

Speaker: Dr. Bradford Garcia

Title:  The game of Hackenbush

Abstract:  The game of Hackenbush is a two-player so-called “combinatorial game.” Students will play various rounds of the game, analyze the game, and begin to learn the basics of the field of Combinatorial Game Theory.

Discovery Learning: Red Group (in Algebra II )

Speaker: Dr. Andrea Walsh

Title:  How easy is it to spread disease?

Abstract: Students will learn about a model for spreading diseases and perform their own "experiment" in the form of a game where they will also collect data and explore what factors may help prevent spreading disease. 

Problem-Solving Session for Green Group ---- Dr. Zhizhang Xie

Topic: Art of Problem-Solving: Pre-algebra.

Problem-Solving Session for Blue Group ---- Jake Song

Topic: Selected AMC Problems

Problem-Solving Session for Red Group (Hybrid) ---- Joshua Im

Topic: Symmetry in counting, and ratio problems 

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February 28, 2026

Discovery Learning: Green Group (in Pre-Algebra and below)

Speaker:  David Manuel

Title:  Gerrymandering

Abstract: Every so often local and state officials are allowed to change the boundaries of voting districts to reflect changes in the population. But a widespread technique called "gerrymandering" involves strategically drawing these boundaries so that members of the ruling party can be re-elected, even if most of the voters in their region vote against them. We'll explore how gerrymandering works, draw our own voting district maps, and investigate mathematical techniques so that we can choose drawing districts that are fair for everyone."

Discovery Learning: Blue Group (in Algebra I and/or Geometry)

Speaker:  Elliot Shea

Title:  Hercules and Hydra

Abstract: After a late night reading about classical mythology (or watching “Clash of the Titans” yet again), you drift off to sleep and dream that you are face-to-face with a many-headed monster that is clearly not happy to see you, either. “Ahah,” you think, “I must be Hercules and that . . . thing must be the Hydra!” Following the Hydra’s rules, can you kill it?

Discovery Learning: Red Group (in Algebra II )

Speaker: Dr Philip Yasskin

Title:  What is "i" good for?

Abstract:  You all know that i is the square root of minus one. But what else is it good for? What is the cube root of minus one? What is the cube root of plus one? All of this will try to justify the graphical form of a complex number and the polar form of a complex number.

Problem-Solving Session for Green Group ---- Dr. Zhizhang Xie

Topic:

Art of Problem-Solving: Pre-algebra.

Problem-Solving Session for Blue Group ---- Jake Song

Topic: 

Selected AMC Problems

Art of Problem-Solving: Intermediate algebra and Probability.

Problem-Solving Session for Red Group (Hybrid) ---- Joshua Im

Topic:

Symmetry in counting, and ratio problems 

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February 21, 2026

Discovery Learning: Green Group (in Pre-Algebra and below)

Speaker: Mark Shiliaev

Title:  a+b+ab problem

Abstract: Write down the numbers from 1 to 100. Randomly select 2 numbers from the list, say a and b, and cross them off, but add to the list the number a+b+ab. You now have 99 numbers. Repeat this process until you have only 1 number left. What are all possible final numbers?

Discovery Learning: Blue Group (in Algebra I and/or Geometry)

Speaker: Dr. Philip Yasskin

Title:  What is "i" good for?

Abstract: You all know that i is the square root of minus one. But what else is it good for? What is the cube root of minus one? What is the cube root of plus one? All of this will try to justify the graphical form of a complex number and the polar form of a complex number.

Discovery Learning: Red Group (in Algebra II)

Speaker: David Manuel

Title:  Gerrymandering

Abstract: Every so often local and state officials are allowed to change the boundaries of voting districts to reflect changes in the population. But a widespread technique called "gerrymandering" involves strategically drawing these boundaries so that members of the ruling party can be re-elected, even if most of the voters in their region vote against them. We'll explore how gerrymandering works, draw our own voting district maps, and investigate mathematical techniques so that we can choose drawing districts that are fair for everyone."

Problem-Solving Session for Green Group ---- Dr. Zhizhang Xie

Topic:

Art of Problem-Solving: Pre-algebra.

Problem-Solving Session for Blue Group ---- Jake Song

Topic:

Art of Problem-Solving: Intermediate algebra and Probability.

Problem-Solving Session for Red Group ---- Joshua Im 

Topic:

Problems from Contests

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February 7, 2026

Discovery Learning: Green Group (in Pre-Algebra and below)

Speaker: Dr. Ali Foran

Title:  Total Eclipse of the Cardioid

Abstract:  A hands-on activity exploring mathematical functions in shapes, angles and lines. 

Discovery Learning: Blue Group (in Algebra I and/or Geometry)

Speaker: Tom Haque

Title:  Gossip

Abstract:  Each student in a group of n students (perhaps 4, 5 or 6) has a different pet. Everyone wants to know who has which pet. They communicate by gossiping. Initially each student only knows their own pet. When two students gossip, they exchange all the information they have with one another. In a group of n students, what is the minimum number of conversations it takes until everyone knows everything?

Discovery Learning: Red Group (in Algebra II)

Speaker: Dr. Bradford Garcia

Title:  The game of Hackenbush

Abstract:  The game of Hackenbush is a two-player so-called “combinatorial game.” Students will play various rounds of the game, analyze the game, and begin to learn the basics of the field of Combinatorial Game Theory.

Problem-Solving Session for Green Group ---- Dr. Zhizhang Xie

Topic:

Art of Problem-Solving: Pre-algebra.

Problem-Solving Session for Blue Group ---- Dr. Kun Wang

Topic:

Art of Problem-Solving: Intermediate algebra and Probability.

Problem-Solving Session for Red Group (Hybrid) ---- Joshua Im

Topic:

Problems from Contests

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January 31, 2026

Discovery Learning: Green Group (in Pre-Algebra and below)

Speaker: Dr. Philip Yasskin

Title:  Counting Diagonals

Abstract:  Draw a 4x4 grid of squares. There are two types of diagonals in each small square. Two diagonals (in the same or different small squares) are considered bad if they touch. What is the largest number of diagonals that can be drawn without touching?

Discovery Learning: Blue Group (in Algebra I and/or Geometry) 

Speaker:  Jaehee Park, 4D STEAM

Title:  Building Bridges

Abstract: Students will learn about the different types of bridges and their characteristics, and they will choose one that inspired them to build the bridge. Students, as a team of two or three, will create a bridge based on their decisions. The best-designed bridges will be selected and demonstrated.

Discovery Learning: Red Group (in Algebra II) 

Speaker:  Mark Shiliaev

Title:  a+b+ab problem

Abstract: Write down the numbers from 1 to 100. Randomly select 2 numbers from the list, say a and b, and cross them off, but add to the list the number a+b+ab. You now have 99 numbers. Repeat this process until you have only 1 number left. What are all possible final numbers?

Problem-Solving Session for Green Group ---- Dr. Zhizhang Xie

Topic:

Art of Problem-Solving: Pre-algebra.

Problem-Solving Session for Blue Group ---- Jake Song

Topic:

Art of Problem-Solving: Intermediate algebra and Probability.

Problem-Solving Session for Red Group ---- Max Yiding Tang 

Topic:

Problems from Geometry

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December 6, 2025

Discovery Session for Green Group ---- Dr. Jaehee Park, 4D STEAM

Title: Building Bridges

Abstract:  Students will learn about the different types of bridges and their characteristics, and they will choose one that inspired them to build the bridge. Students, as a team of two or three, will create a bridge based on their decisions. The best-designed bridges will be selected and demonstrated.

Discovery Session for Blue Group ---- Dr. Nataliya Goncharuk

Title: Remarkable Curves

Abstract: Ellipse, Parabola, and Hyperbola --- these curves literally rule the universe! These are paths of planets, comets, rockets, and space debris. We will use rulers and strings to draw these fascinating curves --- and explore a few other remarkable ones too. Spacesuits not required

Discovery Session for Red Group ---- Dr. Dean Baskin

Title:  Several stories about the Quarternions

Abstract: The quaternions are a famous mathematical object first described by William Rowan Hamilton in 1843.  They have many uses in mathematics; one of their common uses today is in computer graphics, where the quaternions are used for rotations in three dimensions.  We’ll introduce this object from several different points of view: we’ll construct a multiplication table, consider them as a number system, and work with rotations. 

Problem-Solving Session for Green Group ---- Mengxiang Jiang

Topic: Art of Problem-Solving: Pre-algebra.

Problem-Solving Session for Blue Group ---- Dr. Kun Wang

Topic: Selected AMC 8 Problems

Problem-Solving Session for Red Group (Hybrid) ---- Dr. Xin Liu

Topic: Mathematical Modeling

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November 22, 2025

Discovery Session for Green Group ---- Dr. Phil Yasskin

Title: What is i good for?

Abstract: You all know that i is the square root of minus one. But what else is it good for? What is the cube root of minus one? What is the cube root of plus 1? 

All of this will try to justify the graphical form of a complex number and the polar form of a complex number.

Discovery Session for Blue Group ---- Dr. Frank Sottile

Title: The Shape of Space

Abstract: In mathematics and science, we often need to think about high (3 or more) dimensional objects, called spaces, which are hard or impossible to visualize. Besides the question of what such objects are or could be, is the problem of how we can make sense of such spaces.

The goal of this discussion is to give you an idea of how mathematicians manage to make sense of higher-dimensional spaces.  We will do this by exploring the simplest spaces, and through our explorations, we will begin to see how we may tell different spaces apart. 

Discovery Session for Red Group ---- Rajanikant Bhatt

Title: The Pigeonhole Principle

Abstract: The pigeonhole principle states that if n items are put into m containers, with n > m, then at least one container must contain more than one item.  We will explore this principle and its consequences.

Problem-Solving Session for Green Group ---- Dr. Zhizhang Xie

Topic: Art of Problem-Solving: Pre-algebra.

Problem-Solving Session for Blue Group ---- Jake Song

Topic: Selected AMC 8 Problems

Problem-Solving Session for Red Group (Hybrid) ---- Joshua Im

Topic: Symmetry in counting, and ratio problems 

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November 15, 2025

Discovery Session for Green Group ---- Joshua Im

Title: Graphing complex numbers

Abstract: 

Discovery Session for Blue Group ---- Raj Bhatt

Title: Pigeonhole

Abstract: The pigeonhole principle states that if n items are put into m containers, with n > m, then at least one container must contain more than one item.  We will explore this principle and its consequences.

Discovery Session for Red Group ---- Dr. Maurice Rojas

Title: Securely sharing secrets

Abstract: How can you share a secret with a friend, while enemies are listening, and still have your enemies not know the secret? We'll see how modular arithmetic leads to a way to do this and how this is used on the internet. We'll also learn how a large group of friends can keep a secret, unknown to all, even if several friends gang together to break the secret, until a proper majority agrees to reveal the secret. This is useful for in finance and international diplomacy.

Problem-Solving Session for Green Group ---- Mengxiang Jiang

Topic: Art of Problem-Solving: Pre-algebra.

Problem-Solving Session for Blue Group ---- Dr. Kun Wang

Topic: Selected AMC Problems

Problem-Solving Session for Red Group (Hybrid) ---- Joshua Im

Topic: Symmetry in counting, and ratio problems 

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November 8, 2025

Discovery Learning: Green Group (in Pre-Algebra and below)

Speaker: Anders Bahrami

Title:  Hercules and Hydra

Abstract: After a late night reading about classical mythology (or watching “Clash of the Titans” yet again), you drift off to sleep and dream that you are face-to-face with a many-headed monster that is clearly not happy to see you, either. “Ahah,” you think, “I must be Hercules and that . . . thing must be the Hydra!” Following the Hydra’s rules, can you contain it?  

Discovery Learning: Blue Group (in Algebra I and/or Geometry)

Speaker: Dr. Andrea Welsh

Title:  How easy is it to spread disease?

Abstract: Students will learn about a model for spreading diseases and perform their own "experiment" in the form of a game where they will also collect data and explore what factors may help prevent spreading disease. 

Speaker: Dr. Nataliia Goncharuk

Title:  Remarkable Curves

Abstract: Ellipse, Parabola, and Hyperbola --- these curves literally rule the universe! These are paths of planets, comets, rockets, and space debris. We will use rulers and strings to draw these fascinating curves --- and explore a few other remarkable ones too. Spacesuits not required.

Problem-Solving Session for Green Group ---- Dr. Zhizhang Xie

Topic: Art of Problem-Solving: Pre-algebra.

Problem-Solving Session for Blue Group ---- Jake Song

Topic: Selected AMC Problems

Problem-Solving Session for Red Group (Hybrid) ---- Joshua Im

Topic: Symmetry in counting, and ratio problems

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November 1, 2025

Discovery Learning: Green Group (in Pre-Algebra and below)

Speaker: Tom Haque

Title:  Gossip

Abstract: Each student in a group of n students (perhaps 4, 5 or 6) has a different pet. Everyone wants to know who has which pet. They communicate by gossiping. Initially each student only knows their own pet. When two students gossip, they exchange all the information they have with one another. In a group of n students, what is the minimum number of conversations it takes until everyone knows everything?

Discovery Learning: Blue Group (in Algebra I and/or Geometry)

Speaker: Dr. Jacob White

Title:  De Bruijn sequences and card tricks

Abstract: We will demonstrate a magic card trick, and then study the underlying mathematics, and figure out how to perform variations of this trick. The underlying mathematics of de Bruijn sequences have applications to robotics and cryptography.

Speaker: Dr. Volodymyr Nekrashevych

Title:  Winning Strategies

Abstract: We will consider (and play) a variety of games and try to find winning strategies for them. We will start with simple games with obvious strategies, and then move to more complicated examples. 

Problem-Solving Session for Green Group ---- Dr. Zhizhang Xie

Topic:

Art of Problem-Solving: Pre-algebra.

Problem-Solving Session for Blue Group ---- Jake Song

Topic: 

Selected AMC Problems

Art of Problem-Solving: Intermediate algebra and Probability.

Problem-Solving Session for Red Group (Hybrid) ---- Joshua Im

Topic:

Symmetry in counting, and ratio problems 

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October 4, 2025

Discovery Learning: Green Group (in Pre-Algebra and below)

Speaker: Mark Shiliaev

Title:  Subdividing a Pile and the Handshake Problem

Abstract: Suppose you walk down to the corner some afternoon and there are six of your friends standing around. How many handshakes would there be if each person shakes each and every other person’s hand once? We will explore a connection between this problem and another seemingly unrelated counting problem.

Discovery Learning: Blue Group (in Algebra I and/or Geometry)

Speaker: Dr. Sinjini Sengupta, Texas A&M University

Title:  I Walk the Line

Abstract: You live in a city where the roads lie on a grid. Your house is in one corner of the grid. Everyday, you walk to school at the opposite end of the grid. How many different ways can you walk to school? Suddenly there is a zombie infestation. How many ways can to walk to school, avoiding the zombies?

Discovery Learning: Red Group (in Algebra II)

Speaker: Dr. Frank Sottile

Title:  The Shape of Space

Abstract: In mathematics and science, we often need to think about high (3 or more) dimensional objects, called spaces, which are hard or impossible to visualize. Besides the question of what such objects are or could be, is the problem of how can we make sense of such spaces.

The goal of this discussion is to give you an idea of how mathematicians manage to make sense of higher-dimensional spaces.  We will do this by exploring the simplest spaces, and through our explorations, we will begin to see how we may tell different spaces apart.  

Problem-Solving Session for Green Group ---- Dr. Zhizhang Xie

Topic:

Art of Problem-Solving: Pre-algebra.

Problem-Solving Session for Blue Group ---- Jake Song

Topic:

Art of Problem-Solving: Intermediate algebra and Probability.

Problem-Solving Session for Red Group ---- Joshua Im 

Topic:

Problems from Contests

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September 27, 2025

Discovery Learning: Green Group (in Pre-Algebra and below)

Speaker: Dr. Nataliya Goncharuk

Title:  Remarkable Curves: extraterrestrial geometry

Abstract: Ellipse, Parabola, and Hyperbola --- these curves literally rule the universe! These are paths of planets, comets, rockets, and space debris. We will use rulers and strings to draw these fascinating curves --- and explore a few other remarkable ones too. Spacesuits not required.

Discovery Learning: Blue Group (in Algebra I and/or Geometry)

Speaker: Mark Shiliaev

Title:  Subdividing a Pile and the Handshake Problem

Abstract: Suppose you walk down to the corner some afternoon and there are six of your friends standing around. How many handshakes would there be if each person shakes each and every other person’s hand once? We will explore a connection between this problem and another seemingly unrelated counting problem.

Discovery Learning: Red Group (in Algebra II)

Speaker: Dr. Phil Yasskin

Title:  Nine Point Circles

Abstract: We will identify 9 points determined by any triangle which always lie on the same circle, and prove it.

Problem-Solving Session for Green Group ---- Dr. Zhizhang Xie

Topic:

Art of Problem-Solving: Pre-algebra.

Problem-Solving Session for Blue Group ---- Dr. Kun Wang

Topic:

Art of Problem-Solving: Intermediate algebra and Probability.

Problem-Solving Session for Red Group (Hybrid) ---- Joshua Im

Topic:

Problems from Contests

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September 20, 2025

Discovery Learning: Green Group (in Pre-Algebra and below)

Speaker: Dr. Sinjini Sengupta, Texas A&M University

Title:  I Walk the Line

Abstract: You live in a city where the roads lie on a grid. Your house is in one corner of the grid. Everyday, you walk to school at the opposite end of the grid. How many different ways can you walk to school? Suddenly there is a zombie infestation. How many ways can to walk to school, avoiding the zombies?

Discovery Learning: Blue Group (in Algebra I and/or Geometry) 

Speaker:  Dr. Phil Yasskin, Texas A&M University

Title:  a+b+ab problem

Abstract: Write down the numbers from 1 to 100. Randomly select 2 numbers from the list, say a and b, and cross them off, but add to the list the number a+b+ab. You now have 99 numbers. Repeat this process until you have only 1 number left. What are all possible final numbers?

Discovery Learning: Red Group (in Algebra II) 

Speaker:  Dr. Kun Wang, Texas A&M University

Title:  Ford Circles

Abstract: Starting with two circles tangent to the real line at 0 and 1, each with radius 1/2​, we can construct a third circle tangent to the real line and also tangent to both of the first two circles. Repeating this process yields an infinite family of circles, each tangent to the real line and to two neighboring circles. These are known as Ford circles. A natural question is: What can we say about the positions of their centers and the sizes of their radii?

Problem-Solving Session for Green Group ---- Dr. Zhizhang Xie

Topic:

Art of Problem-Solving: Pre-algebra.

Problem-Solving Session for Blue Group ---- Jake Song

Topic:

Art of Problem-Solving: Intermediate algebra and Probability.

Problem-Solving Session for Red Group ---- Max Yiding Tang 

Topic:

Problems from Geometry

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September 13, 2025

Discovery Learning: Green Group (in Pre-Algebra and below) and Blue Group ( Algebra I and Geometry)

Speaker: Dr. Phil Yasskin, Texas A&M University

Title: Light Bulbs

Abstract: We will be exploring factorization patterns through a game where all of the lightbulbs are turned off, and when a person walks down the hallway, they pull the string of certain lights to turn them on based on the number on their shirt. We will predict and prove solutions to scenarios with a small fixed number of lightbulbs and look into patterns to solve larger quantities.

Discovery Learning: Green Group (in Pre-Algebra and below) and Blue Group ( Algebra I and Geometry)

Speaker: Dr. John Weeks, Texas A&M University

Title: Chess at Maximum Capacity

Abstract: Given a set S of allowed chess pieces, we say the capacity of an m-by-n chessboard (with respect to) S is the maximum number of chess pieces from S that can be placed on the chessboard so that no one piece attacks another. We will explore this problem with small boards, set up an integer programming problem to help find the maximum capacity, then learn a few tricks that help us find the board states that achieve this capacity. Knowing how to play chess is not required.

Problem-Solving Session for Green Group ---- Dr. Zhizhang Xie

Topic:

Art of Problem-Solving: Pre-algebra.

Problem-Solving Session for Blue Group ---- Jake Song

Topic:

Art of Problem-Solving: Intermediate algebra and Probability.

Problem-Solving Session for Red Group ---- Joshua Im

Topic:

Graphs of Functions